Shake Your Powder Off Review

Shake Your Powder Off is a 1934 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is a very good, funny entry.

This film is by far the best Merry Melody of this period as I do not remember the last time I’ve had such a great time watching a Merry Melody, certainly not from the year of 1934. The plot is so good. A bunch of animals throw a singing competition in a barn. That premise is very similar to Illumination Entertainment’s ‘Sing’ which was interesting to see.

Now the short isn’t great as it could have used a bigger running time, more gags and more memorable characters, but the conflict with the dog in the third act is very well executed and funny. That moment where the birds got their feathers off was hilarious. Another funny and inventive moment was when we see the seating of all the animals and that the ducks got special seating in water. So funny and clever. The entire short has great music and is a lot of fun to watch.

Shake Your Powder Off is one of the best Merry Melodies of its time thanks to a great high-concept idea and a couple of great gags.