Skeleton Dance cartoon from 1929

The Skeleton Dance is a delightful 1929 cartoon directed by Ub Iwerks for Disney. A close friend/collaborator of Walt Disney for many years, Iwerks is arguably the "true creator" of the Mickey Mouse character. He later took a job at Columbia and reimagined The Skeleton Dance in color as Skeleton Frolic (1937). I much prefer the original. I posted about it a few years ago, but the video I linked to then was yanked. Bastards. (Thanks, Takuan!)

[#1 posted by Takuan, September 4, 2009 1:22 PM]

never ceases to amaze me how many people all around the planet can remember the same classic cartoons they grew up with.

[#2 posted by Yamara, September 4, 2009 1:24 PM]

They just keep pushing Halloween earlier and earlier every year.

[#3 posted by ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive, September 4, 2009 1:50 PM]

At around the same time as this cartoon, the Fleischers were making films that were even more surreal and fun than anything Disney ever attempted...

Swing, You Sinners
(Scroll to the bottom of the page for the video)

[#4 posted by David Pescovitz, September 4, 2009 2:07 PM]

Thanks for that great link!

[#5 posted by Anonymous, September 4, 2009 2:17 PM]

My kids love that one. Disney Channel used to have a show call "The Ink and Paint Club" that would show all those old Silly Symphonies.

[#6 posted by robcat2075, September 4, 2009 2:38 PM]

My nominee for most gruesomely interesting Disney cartoon would have to be "The Mad Doctor"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywukfQqKX-g

[#7 posted by Ugly Canuck, September 4, 2009 3:13 PM]

Ah dem bones....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYb8Wm6-QfA

[#8 posted by Takuan, September 4, 2009 3:18 PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRmf1EnGzg

[#9 posted by Anonymous, September 4, 2009 4:31 PM]

Thanks for that! Love it! :)

[#10 posted by wolfiesma, September 4, 2009 4:42 PM]

I've been obsessed with this piece of surrealist animation all week. I honestly don't know why...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu-cp3EBhrI

[#11 posted by Takuan, September 4, 2009 5:09 PM]

from 6:20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vze0utkYypI

[#12 posted by Bloo, September 4, 2009 7:02 PM]

Here's my favorite skeleton-related animation:

¡Viva Calaca!

[#13 posted by Takuan, September 4, 2009 7:23 PM]

cool, Bloo!

[#14 posted by Anonymous, September 4, 2009 8:07 PM]

Another oldie but goodie: Betty Boop does Mini the Moocher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po9MAIgBZ10

[#15 posted by David Pescovitz, September 4, 2009 9:52 PM]

Fantastic links all. Thanks!

[#16 posted by Takuan, September 4, 2009 10:03 PM]

does anyone have a compendium of the cartoons that are shown in snippets in the Futurama opening credits?

[#17 posted by anthropomorphictoast, September 4, 2009 10:27 PM]

This is one of my fave cartoons. Old skool animation ftw.

[#18 posted by Anonymous, September 5, 2009 2:59 AM]

@ROBCAT,

Thanks so much, that *is* brilliant! Better than most Disney, IMNSHO.

[#19 posted by jsauter, September 5, 2009 10:06 AM]

Things that freaked me the hell out as a child, #134.

[#20 posted by Daemon, September 5, 2009 10:16 AM]

@yamara:

Yeah, but halloween is the one cool holiday, so it's all good.

[#21 posted by Anonymous, September 5, 2009 11:37 AM]

I have this tape on my book shelf, its one of the greats, it was my fav as young boy