Not So Quiet
"Oswald goes to the front in a riot of rhythm and laughs!"
Plot
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a lowly private in the midst of World War I, struggling with a rifle that is comically larger than he is. While dozing in his tent, he is summoned by his commanding officer, Pete, and ordered to deliver a high-stakes message across the dangerous Western Front. Oswald bravely evades a barrage of bullets and artillery fire, eventually reaching the enemy general only to discover that the 'message' was a betrayal: a note instructing the enemy to shoot him at sunrise. After a chaotic series of escapes and escalating warfare, a sudden cease-fire is declared, and Oswald is reunited with his sweetheart, a girl cat who rewards his accidental heroism with a kiss.
Director
About the Production
The film was produced during a transitional period for Walter Lantz, who had recently taken over the Oswald character from Charles Mintz. It features production number 5082, which suggests it may have been conceptualized or partially developed in late 1929 before being completed for its 1930 release. The short was specifically designed to capitalize on the massive success of Universal's live-action feature 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' which won the Academy Award for Best Picture that same year.
Historical Background
Released in 1930, 'Not So Quiet' arrived at the height of the 'Great War' film craze in Hollywood. Following the success of 'The Big Parade' (1925) and 'Wings' (1927), Universal's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' had just redefined the war genre as a somber, anti-war statement. Lantz's parody provided a necessary comedic relief to the heavy cultural conversation surrounding the trauma of World War I. Additionally, the film was produced during the early days of the Great Depression, a time when audiences flocked to theaters for inexpensive escapism provided by animated shorts.
Why This Film Matters
The film marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Oswald character under Walter Lantz's leadership. It demonstrates the studio's shift toward topical parodies and 'musical' cartoons, a style that would eventually lead to the creation of the 'Cartune Classics' and 'Swing Symphonies.' By featuring early work from Tex Avery, the film also serves as a foundational text for the 'wacky' style of animation that would later define the Golden Age of Hollywood cartoons at Warner Bros. and MGM.
Making Of
The production of 'Not So Quiet' was a high-pressure assignment for Walter Lantz, as Universal owner Carl Laemmle wanted his animation department to support the studio's major live-action releases. Lantz and Bill Nolan worked closely to adapt the grim themes of trench warfare into a slapstick format suitable for Oswald. The animation team included future legends like Tex Avery and Clyde Geronimi, who were still honing their craft. The studio was also grappling with the relatively new technology of synchronized sound, utilizing the team of Bart Fiske and David Broekman to ensure the musical gags landed with precision. Interestingly, David Broekman, who worked on Lantz's early sound shorts, also provided the score for the very film this short parodies, 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'
Visual Style
The film utilizes a black-and-white palette with high-contrast lighting to mimic the look of war documentaries and the feature film it parodies. Notable visual techniques include the use of 'depth' in the trench scenes, where Oswald moves between the foreground and background to evade bullets. The animation also employs 'rubber hose' physics, particularly in the scene where Oswald tries to march with the oversized rifle, creating a sense of weight and struggle through exaggerated distortion.
Innovations
One of the primary technical achievements was the synchronization of complex orchestral cues with fast-paced slapstick action, a feat that was still difficult in 1930. The film also features early examples of 'thought transcription,' where Oswald's internal dialogue or ideas are visually represented on screen, a technique Lantz carried over from the silent era and refined for sound.
Music
The score was composed by James Dietrich and features a mix of military marches and original songs. A standout musical moment is the song 'Ooh, la la, Oswald, I Love You,' performed by the girl cat character. The soundtrack was recorded using Universal's early sound-on-film process, which allowed for tighter synchronization of sound effects—such as the whistling of falling shells—with the on-screen action.
Famous Quotes
General Pete: 'Take this note to the enemy general, and don't come back until it's delivered!'
Oswald (Visualized thought): 'A long walk for a short rabbit!'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening drill where Oswald repeatedly topples over his fellow soldiers because his rifle is three times his size.
- The 'No Man's Land' sequence where Oswald uses a series of tree stumps and discarded helmets as a moving shell game to avoid sniper fire.
- The final scene where the terrifying sounds of war abruptly stop, replaced by the chirping of birds and a romantic serenade.
Did You Know?
- The title is a direct parody of the 1930 Universal epic 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'
- This short features the first onscreen credits for legendary animator Tex Avery (credited as Fred Avery) and Lester Kline.
- Oswald is voiced by Pinto Colvig, who would later become the iconic voice of Disney's Goofy and Pluto.
- The character of the 'girl cat' (often identified as a variation of Ortensia or Kitty) was modified for this film to include lipstick, a design choice that persisted in later shorts.
- A jump cut approximately three minutes into the film suggests that a sequence may have been censored or edited out of the final release print.
- The film's musical director, James Dietrich, was of German ancestry, which likely influenced the inclusion of specific musical cues during the battlefield scenes.
- The production number 5082 is inconsistent with other mid-1930 releases, leading historians to believe it was a 'withheld' 1929 entry.
- The film uses an 'iris' opening and a 'curtain' closing, a combination of techniques that was only common during a brief window in late 1929 and early 1930.
What Critics Said
At the time of release, trade publications like 'The Motion Picture News' noted the short for its clever synchronization and its ability to spoof a serious subject without being offensive. Modern animation historians praise the film for its fluid animation and the 'pre-Avery' energy visible in the character movements. It is often cited as one of the stronger entries in the Lantz-era Oswald filmography due to its cohesive theme and high-stakes plot.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1930 received the film warmly, as Oswald remained a popular star even after Walt Disney had moved on to Mickey Mouse. The parody of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' was immediately recognizable to theater-goers, making the gags about trench life particularly resonant. The 'happy ending' with the cease-fire and the kiss provided the standard satisfying conclusion that audiences expected from the 'Lucky Rabbit' series.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
- The Big Parade (1925)
- Shoulder Arms (1918)
This Film Influenced
- Daffy the Commando (1943)
- The Ducktators (1942)
- Swing Shift Cinderella (1945)
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved and currently resides in the Universal Pictures archives. It was included in the 'Walt Disney Treasures: The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit' DVD set (2007) as part of the 'Lantz Era' bonus features, having undergone a digital restoration to stabilize the image and clean the audio track.