I Haven’t Got a Hat Review

I Haven’t Got a Hat is a 1935 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is such an important entry in the series.

Yes, this film is very important for featuring the first ever appearance of Porky Pig. He is fatter than usual and this first look of his won’t remain for long, but his signature behavior with his famous stutter is already here and he is amusing and memorable. It is easy to see why he became so popular as he is such a different character than usual.

So this film introduces many new characters in hope that some would catch on. It was all done in the backdrop of a school recital which is all fair and square, but it still felt like an overly advertising short and that was obvious from the beginning. I also found its ending disappointing and abrupt. But I really liked its two-strip process and I know it isn’t full color, but the green-red look here was rather pleasing. I liked the songs and Oliver Owl is the most memorable creation here after Porky Pig and I liked his rivalry with Beans. And of course Little Kitty being nervous and having got to pee provided one hilarious extended sequence.

I Haven’t Got a Hat is too much like an advertisement, but it features very memorable characters, good humor and it is a great introductory short for Porky Pig.