The Ears Have It

In the 1930 Disney cartoon Wild Waves, there's an awful lot of repetitious action. We see four penguins dancing on a beach. Then they go through the same steps a second time. Same with Minnie Mouse trying to escape some high waves.

There's an interesting take that I don't believe was used very often. Mickey sees a fishing net he can turn into a harp (which sounds like a piano). He's so excited about it, his ears detach in a three-drawing take (one per frame).



The first half of the short is Mickey rescuing Minnie, the second half is characters dancing or singing.

The internet can’t make up its mind when this cartoon was released. We have this report from New York by Phil M. Daly, Jr. of the Film Daily of Jan. 16, 1930; it was in theatres by then:

Charlie Giegerich is happy over the treatment given “Wild Waves,” Celebrity cartoon, at the premiere of “Hit the Deck” the other night at the Earl Carroll.

Celebrity was Pat Powers’ company and Giegerich was his right-hand man. Later in the year, Powers would poach Ub Iwerks.

Here's Variety's review of Jan. 22nd:

“WILD WAVES”
Disney Cartoon
8 Mins.
Carroll, N. Y.
Columbia
Fast-moving comedy cartoon, which isn’t on long enough to bore many, no matter if it isn’t always laugh provoking. Doesn’t rank with the best of the recent crop, but will fit any program.
It’s one of the Mickey Mouse series, unwinding the usual antics of the cartoonist’s imagination. Most of the action attempts to keep the rhythm of the synchronized score, but the resultant gag maneuvers not being overly strong. Some of the cartoons are mimicking the voices of the figures in certain spots, a mistake, as it rudely interrupts any illusion the drawings may have previously invoked. That’s overdoing the sound thing.
The cartoon one-reelers are riding in front at present, with a wealth of material to pick from to make it tough to offset their strength. Carelessness and an attempt to turn ’em out too fast can undermine as fast as the novelty of sound and a couple of great ideas sent them out as pace makers. Their main asset is that they’re built for laughs, and people primarily go to the theatre for that purpose. Sid

The uncredited director is apparently Burt Gillett.