Those Were Wonderful Days Review

Those Were Wonderful Days is a 1934 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is an interesting, but flawed short.

The problem with Those Were Wonderful Days is that it is supposed to offer a nostalgic look at the turn of the century, but I just never felt that myself. It isn’t charming enough in my opinion. And also the entire first half is uneventful. The animation which is black and white this time around is good, but the character design is once again lacking.

But its second half with that balloon chase was so much fun and I liked the villain quite a bit here. That last scene where the guy saves the girl only for the girl to knock him unconscious and choose the villain was just unbelievable to witness. It is one of the most original and unexpected moments in the series so far and I just loved it for its sheer authenticity. Not to mention that it is very funny.

Those Were Wonderful Days features one awesome ending, but the film is otherwise not charming or pleasant enough.