A Close Call

Plot

A Close Call is a 1929 animated short film that begins with an adorable mouse discovering a patch of tulips, which he playfully rings like musical bells. The whimsical scene takes a dramatic turn when a predatory cat spots the mouse and begins a relentless pursuit through the garden and surrounding countryside. The chase sequence showcases increasingly inventive and comedic scenarios as the tiny mouse uses his wits to outsmart the much larger feline antagonist. In a climactic finale, the mouse narrowly escapes death by tricking the cat into a dangerous situation, resulting in a humorous comeuppance for the predator. The film concludes with the mouse safely returning to his musical tulips, having survived his harrowing adventure.

Historical Background

1929 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the full transition from silent films to 'talkies.' The animation industry was rapidly evolving, with studios racing to incorporate synchronized sound into their cartoons. A Close Call was produced during this technological revolution, when animation techniques were becoming more sophisticated and audiences were demanding more complex storytelling. The film reflects the era's fascination with musical elements and synchronized sound, which were novel attractions at the time. This period also saw significant changes in the animation industry structure, with major studios like Disney losing control of their characters to distributors. The stock market crash of 1929 occurred later in the year, which would dramatically impact funding for animated shorts and lead to consolidation in the industry.

Making Of

The production of A Close Call took place during a tumultuous period for Walt Disney and his studio. Universal Pictures, who owned the Oswald character, had taken the character away from Disney and given it to another studio. This short was one of the last produced under Disney's involvement before the character was completely taken over by other animators. The animation team worked under extreme pressure to complete the film while dealing with the uncertainty of their future. The musical tulips sequence was particularly challenging to animate, as it required careful coordination between the animation and the newly added sound elements. The animators experimented with different ways to show the tulips 'ringing' before settling on the final bouncing effect. The cat character's design went through several iterations, with early sketches showing a more realistic feline before the team decided on a more exaggerated, cartoonish appearance to better match the film's comedic tone.

Visual Style

The cinematography of A Close Call employs standard techniques for early animation, with static camera positions focusing on the drawn characters and backgrounds. The visual style is characteristic of late 1920s animation, with bold outlines and simplified character designs. Notable visual techniques include the exaggerated squash and stretch animation during the chase sequences and the creative use of perspective shots to emphasize the size difference between the mouse and cat. The tulip-bell sequence features careful attention to timing and rhythm, with each tulip's movement precisely coordinated with the musical notes. The background art is relatively simple but effective, using muted colors to make the animated characters stand out. The film demonstrates the transition from the more rubbery animation style of the early 1920s to a slightly more refined approach.

Innovations

A Close Call showcases several technical achievements for its time, particularly in the realm of synchronized sound. The precise timing of the musical tulips sequence demonstrated the growing sophistication of sound synchronization in animation. The film employed multi-layered sound effects, combining music, character noises, and environmental sounds to create a more immersive experience. The animation itself shows improved fluidity compared to earlier silent cartoons, with more natural character movements and expressions. The film's production utilized the then-new cel animation process more extensively, allowing for more complex backgrounds and smoother character motion. The technical team successfully solved the challenge of creating believable sound effects for fantastical elements like ringing tulips.

Music

The soundtrack for A Close Call was created using the sound-on-film technology that was becoming standard in 1929. The score features a prominent piano melody during the opening tulip-bell sequence, with each 'bell' producing a distinct tone. Sound effects were created using various props and techniques common to early sound production, including whistles, slides, and percussion instruments. The chase music builds in tempo and intensity, reflecting the escalating action on screen. The soundtrack was likely recorded post-production, with the animators working from a pre-existing musical score. The film's audio represents an early example of synchronized sound in animation, demonstrating the new possibilities that sound technology offered to cartoonists.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the mouse discovers and plays the tulips like musical bells, creating a whimsical melody that establishes the film's charming tone before the action begins.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of A Close Call were generally positive, with critics praising the film's inventive use of sound and the charming musical tulips sequence. The Motion Picture News noted the cartoon's 'amusing situations and clever synchronization' while Variety highlighted the 'delightful musical effects.' Modern animation historians view the film as an interesting example of early sound animation, though it's often overlooked in favor of more famous Disney works from the same period. Critics today appreciate the film's historical significance and its role in the development of animated storytelling techniques. Some modern reviewers note that while the animation may seem primitive by current standards, it displays considerable creativity and technical achievement for its time.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1929 responded positively to A Close Call, particularly enjoying the novelty of the synchronized sound and the musical tulips sequence. The film was often paired with feature films in theaters, providing entertainment between main attractions. Children especially delighted in the mouse character's cleverness and the cat's comical failures. The chase sequences elicited laughter and applause in theaters, with audiences appreciating the escalating humor and tension. While not as memorable as some other cartoons of the era, the film found its audience and was considered a successful short subject. Modern audiences viewing the film today often express fascination with its historical value and the charm of early animation techniques.

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