Octopus of Evil

The cartoon has few real gags and seems to be more of an experiment in movement. And the characters move very well for 1930.



Some joyful little fish are dancing around a treasure chest when suddenly...



The movement of the octopus is well done by Wilfred Jackson through this whole scene. The limbs thrash around trying to grab the fish.



The octopus blows bubbles in anger.



It runs, using the limbs as two sets of legs, four limbs in a “leg.”



Now it runs with each limb touching the ocean floor in time to the music. The animation is extreme smooth and way ahead of what was on the screen in the silent era just a couple of years before.



Devon Baxter did a fine analysis of this cartoon, which you can look at here.