Hells Heels

About This Movie

Hells Heels is this curious blend of animation and early 30s humor, featuring Oswald the Rabbit in a rather peculiar predicament. You’ve got this sheriff who’s all about enforcing the law, kicking Oswald out of town, only for our hapless rabbit to stumble upon a baby in the desert. The pacing is zippy, typical of the era, but there’s a strange sense of melancholy that creeps in, especially given the themes of abandonment and unexpected responsibility. The animation techniques are rudimentary by today’s standards, but there's a charm in their simplicity. It's distinctive in how it merges whimsical antics with a slightly darker undertone, something you don't see in every cartoon of the time.

Hells Heels remains quite the rarity in collector circles, largely due to the obscurity of its director and the age of the piece. It’s not often you find early cartoons featuring Oswald, as many of them have been lost or are in private collections. Interest is steadily growing, particularly among fans of silent and early sound animation, with collectors appreciating its unique mix of humor and darker themes. Original prints are scarce, making any decent quality find quite appealing.