Hop and Chop

About This Movie

Hop and Chop is a curious little piece from 1970 that floats around the fringes of animation history. You’ve got Pancho and El Toro in this whimsical adventure, but it’s the singing Japanese beetle that really steals the show. He’s got this black belt in Karate, which leads Toro on a series of comical misadventures as he tries to catch him for dinner. The animation style is charmingly simplistic, with a playful tone that keeps the pacing light. It's a unique blend of martial arts and humor that feels a bit ahead of its time, though the director remains a mystery. The performances, especially from the beetle, are surprisingly engaging for such a short runtime.

Hop and Chop has a certain elusive quality when it comes to its availability; not widely distributed, it’s often considered a hidden gem among animation collectors. There are a few formats out there, though they can be tough to track down, especially the original prints. Interest seems to be rising, particularly among those who appreciate offbeat animation from that era, making it a noteworthy conversation piece in any collection.