This is the first cartoon produced by the studio Ub Iwerks started after he departed Disney. This short also features Flip the Frog, who would "star" in roughly half of the theatrical releases done under the Iwerks imprint in its lifetime as an independent studio (there was at least one short produced that was never released to theaters), there being 38 Flips and about 75 or 76 total shorts altogether.
This first short (oddly, in color, when most of the Flips were black and white) points up the strengths and weaknesses of the series as a whole-technically it is excellent, but the character is drab and void of personality and there is no plot to speak of here. It's a good cartoon and enjoyable to watch, but not truly memorable or special. Ub Iwerks was interested in visuals for the most part and I don't think he had Disney's touch with character or story. When the visuals were paramount and depth of character or plot was irrelevant or even possibly undesirable, you have a masterpiece, such as The Skeleton Dance. When they would be of some benefit, but are somewhat lacking, you get the average Flip the Frog. Given the personnel Iwerks employed-a veritable Who's Who of future talents-and the quality of some of the individual bits and pieces, it's a bit sad when you realize that, with a bit more flair, the output of the studio could have gone from average to good and instead could have been good to outstanding. Still worth seeing and I'm glad that the bulk of it is in print. The animation alone makes it worth seeing. Carl W. Stallings' music doesn't hurt. Worth the effort to see at least once. Recommended for fans of animation and (with a few exceptions) good fun for children.