Hell's Bells (1929)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Ub Iwerks

Release Date:

21 November 1929 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Horror

Plot:

The demons of hell play music for Satan, whose delight turns to wrath when an insubordinate refuses to become food for Cerberus.

Plot Keywords:

Satan | Demon | Cerberus | Hell | Snake

Runtime:

6 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Movie Connections:

Featured in Silly Symphonies Rediscovered (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Funeral March of a Marionette

Musical Merriment Below-Ground

By the late 1930s, Disney had developed a reputation for polished, wholesome entertainment, and so I'm betting that they could never have released a cartoon about the fiery devils and imps that lurk in Hell. However, the late 1920s were a different matter, and short films like 'The Skeleton Dance (1929)' and 'Haunted House (1929)' exhibited distinct elements from the horror genre, though always with a comical campiness that usually went down well with the little ones. It's films such as these that demonstrate the innovation and forward-thinking that propelled Walt Disney into animation super-stardom. 'Hell's Bells (1929)' is a somewhat comical look at the creatures of Hell, where fire and brimstone burn the nostrils, and where devilish imps dance to classical music. The film opens with an assortment of bizarre fire-dwellers, including a winged-serpent, a three-headed dog, and an enormous spider that swings from its web and engulfs the entire camera (and, by implication, the audience) in its mouth.

Dancing is then provided in great abundance. Interestingly, 'Hell's Bells' utilises two musical pieces that I was able to identify from memory: the first, Charles Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette," is most recognisable as the main theme from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1962); the second piece is Edvard Grieg's well-known "In the Hall of the Mountain King." This excellent soundtrack selection provides an enjoyable soundtrack for director Ub Iwerks' musical exploration of life below the Earth's core. Though there is little story to speak of, a brief sub-plot opens up when the Devil tries to feed one of his servant imps to the three-headed dog, only to find that this little guy is less-than-willing to sacrifice himself. Oh, and there's also a weird-looking cow/dragon that dispenses fire from its udder, for the drinking enjoyment of Satan. If all this Hellishness sounds like your kind of cartoon, then commit a sin, sit down and enjoy a supreme piece of Disney musical weirdness.