Wise Flies (1930)

Wise Flies Review

Wise Flies is a 1930 animated short film from the Talkartoons series.

This movie follows a bunch of flies that fly around and do all crazy sorts of things. This was easily the first truly strong Talkartoons short that showcased that lovely Fleischer Studios magic. The beginning set on the bald man’s head was so inventive and the ending was a lot of fun too.

The highlight was the surreal nature of this short that is filled with innovative animation for the time and some gags that were so well executed and unique. The flies behaved oddly but memorably and their designs were also effectively strange. There is no plot to this movie at all and the characterization is absent, but the visuals and the gags made it worth it. The music is also terrific with the main number being so catchy and fun.

Wise Flies is the best of the early Talkartoons thanks to inventive animation and wonderfully surreal and fun gags.

My Rating – 4