Swat the Fly (1935)

Swat the Fly Review

Swat the Fly is a 1935 animated short film from the Betty Boop series. It is a very simplistic, but charming flick.

Betty is baking a cake, but a fly is flying around the house. When she tries to swat her, she ends up destroying the entire house in the process. Needless to say, this is an overly simple and familiar cartoon like so many others released in the thirties. They failed to include a gag that is truly unique and/or inventive.

The previous movie was relatable and this one is the same as we have all experienced flies in the house bothering us. Yes, Betty could have just opened a window, but then we wouldn’t have a movie, would we? The highlight here was Pudgy the puppy and how he handled the fly was so endearing and funny. The animation is lovely as always, but the runtime was too fleeting even for a short.

Swat the Fly is a familiar, simple movie in its premise, but it’s solidly executed with Pudgy stealing the show. It’s also relatable and charming.

My Rating – 3.7