The Grasshopper and the Ants Reviews

"The Grasshopper and the Ants" is one of those stories that everyone clearly knows, or at least has a vague idea of the mechanics of the plot. And this Silly Symphonies short adapts it quite faithfully. Although hearing Goofy's very specific voice come out of another character takes a minute of adjustment, the short is quite worth a viewing.

Seemingly building upon Depression-era audiences ideas about how best to deal with the "winter" they were stuck in, the short deals in morality and life choices. Does one chose the life of lazy approach and assume someone else will take care of it for them, or does one act industriously and try to do something about the situation? Clearly, the fable and short film preach against laziness, as they should, and by the end the grasshopper has reformed. Of course, a few months of starvation and eternally feeling cold will do that for a person.

No matter, "The Grasshopper and the Ants" is an early three-strip Technicolor gem. Maybe not as perfect as other shorts from the same era, but definitely solidly built and highly enjoyable. The transitions from spring to winter and from near-death blue to the grasshopper's healthier yellow-green color are both expertly done and quite lovely to look at. They are smooth transitions which don't call a great deal of attention to themselves, but are simply noticeable to someone who appreciates animation and the various techniques and planning that goes into it.