Africa
"The Lucky Rabbit's Musical Adventure in the Land of the Pharaohs!"
Plot
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit traverses the Egyptian desert on a mechanical camel, which he operates using internal foot pedals. When a fierce lion attacks, Oswald's rifle malfunctions, forcing him to improvise by launching the camel's ball-shaped humps as cannonballs to scare the beast away. He eventually discovers a lush oasis and a grand palace where he is welcomed by a flirtatious Queen and a troupe of musical apes. Oswald performs his signature theme song, prompting the Sphinx and nearby pyramids to join the dance, but the fun ends abruptly when the jealous King arrives and hurls Oswald into a crocodile-infested pond.
Director
William NolanCast
About the Production
This short was produced during the transitional 'Lantz Era' of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit after Universal took the character back from Charles Mintz. It was one of the earliest Oswald shorts to feature fully synchronized dialogue and a dedicated musical score. The production utilized a 'rubber hose' animation style, which allowed for the surreal physical gags like the camel's humps being used as projectiles. The film is notable for being the 31st short produced by Walter Lantz and the 84th overall in the Oswald series.
Historical Background
In 1930, the 'Talkies' revolution was in full swing, and animation studios were racing to integrate sound and music into their shorts. The Great Depression was beginning to impact the film industry, leading studios to favor lighthearted, escapist musical comedies. This era also reflected a fascination with 'exotic' locales like Egypt and Africa, often filtered through the lens of Western stereotypes and Vaudeville-style humor.
Why This Film Matters
As one of the early sound cartoons, 'Africa' helped define the musical structure of the modern animated short. It established the 'Oswald Habit' theme song which would be used for years, cementing the character's identity in the sound era. The film is also a significant early work for legendary animators like Tex Avery and Clyde Geronimi, who would go on to shape the Golden Age of American animation.
Making Of
The production was led by Walter Lantz and Bill Nolan, who had recently taken over the character from Walt Disney's former distributor. Bill Nolan was known for his 'rubber hose' style, which is evident in the fluid, boneless movements of the characters in 'Africa'. The studio was under pressure to compete with Disney's 'Mickey Mouse' and 'Silly Symphonies', leading to a heavy emphasis on musical numbers and synchronized sound. Pinto Colvig not only provided the voice but also contributed to the gags and story development during this period.
Visual Style
The film uses high-contrast black-and-white animation with a focus on 'squash and stretch' techniques. The 'camera' movements are simulated through background panning, particularly during the desert trek sequence. The visual style is characterized by Bill Nolan's signature 'circular' character designs and fluid, rhythmic motion.
Innovations
The film is a prime example of early 'Mickey Mousing', where the music and sound effects are perfectly timed to the visual action. It also successfully integrated a full vocal performance into a character that had been primarily silent during the Disney years. The use of mechanical-themed gags (the camel) showed an increasing sophistication in visual storytelling.
Music
The soundtrack features the original song 'Oswald the Lucky Rabbit', composed by James Dietrich with lyrics by Bernie Grossman. The score is heavily rhythmic, synchronized to the characters' movements (Mickey Mousing). The music was performed by a studio orchestra and features a mix of jazz-influenced melodies and Egyptian-themed motifs.
Famous Quotes
Who me? Lucky Rabbit! That lucky Oswald Rabbit! Nicest rabbit that you ever knew!
Lucky habit, that lucky Oswald habit, if you want it, here's what you must do...
Tell me, sweetie, will you be my king?
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Oswald pedals his mechanical camel across the desert sands.
- The battle with the lion where Oswald uses the camel's humps as cannonballs.
- The musical finale where the Sphinx and the Pyramids come to life to dance to Oswald's theme song.
Did You Know?
- This film marks the very first time Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's famous theme song is heard on screen.
- Pinto Colvig, the voice of Oswald in this short, would later become famous as the original voice of Disney's Goofy.
- The animation team included a young Tex Avery, who would later revolutionize the industry at Warner Bros. and MGM.
- Some animation sequences were reused or inspired by the 1930 musical 'King of Jazz', which featured a similar African segment.
- The mechanical camel's internal pistons are a surreal visual gag typical of the Bill Nolan era of animation.
- The lyrics to the theme song encourage children to 'read and write' and 'not be scrappy' to be lucky.
- The short features a rare appearance of a 'Queen' character as a romantic interest for Oswald, predating his more consistent pairing with Ortensia.
- The film was released exactly one year before the character began wearing his iconic white gloves in 'Shipwreck' (1931).
What Critics Said
At the time of release, trade publications like 'The Moving Picture World' praised the Lantz-era Oswalds for their 'pep' and musical synchronization. Modern critics view the film as a fascinating artifact of early sound animation, though they often note the dated cultural caricatures common to the 1930s. It is frequently cited by animation historians for its surrealist humor and the debut of Oswald's theme.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1930 responded positively to the high-energy slapstick and the novelty of a singing cartoon rabbit. The 'Oswald Habit' song became a recognizable jingle for children of the era. Today, the film is a favorite among animation collectors and historians for its fluid animation and historical 'firsts'.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The King of Jazz (1930)
- Vaudeville musical acts
- Early Mickey Mouse shorts like 'The Opry House'
This Film Influenced
- Alaska (1930) - which reused the theme song
- Later Walter Lantz 'Cartune' series
- Tex Avery's later surrealist works at Warner Bros.
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved and has been fully restored. It was included as a bonus feature on the Criterion Collection release of 'King of Jazz' (1930).