Up to Mars (1930)

Up to Mars Review

Up to Mars is a 1930 animated short film from the Talkartoons series.

Bimbo is playing fireworks in an abandoned yard except for a mouse who laughs derisively at him. Eventually, he flies into space and lands on Mars where he interacts with many crazy inhabitants of that planet. This is one of those Fleischer cartoons that focus extensively on strangeness in imagery, atmosphere and gags. It really worked and the result is one of the best of the early Talkartoons.

That beginning was overlong and I would have liked to have seen an entire movie be set just on Mars, but that Martian section was very strong. Not only was the score incredibly catchy and fun, but the gags were also quite fun and the character designs and backgrounds were super inventive. It’s a ridiculous film in terms of its ending and scenarios, but the otherworldly atmosphere was wonderful.

Up to Mars has an odd ending and a weaker beginning, but the middle section was adventurous, inventive and reliably strange. Bimbo is at his best when staring in these horror-inspired stories.

My Rating – 4