The Early Worm Gets the Bird Review

The Early Worm Gets the Bird is a 1940 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is a very charming entry.

This is a hugely nostalgic cartoon for me as I clearly remember seeing it many times as a child, just like I remember seeing ‘I Wanna Be a Sailor’. This is an even better short than that one as it features highly endearing characters and excellent action. I loved its soothing animation and character design. Yes, these birds are clearly modeled after black people, but the film is otherwise not as racist. The score is also terrific.

The film is somewhat slow in its first half, but is excellent in the second half. Although never truly hilarious, some gags here are very inventive and superb such as the one where the fox states that he is the villain. The clock gag is also nice. I loved the entire chase sequences as they were classically executed and a lot of fun. I loved the main bird character, but the fox is a terrific villain and naturally the worm steals the show.

The Early Worm Gets the Bird is very well animated and filled with very endearing characters and fun chase sequences.