One Step Ahead of My Shadow (1933)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Release Date:

4 February 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Animation | Short | Comedy

Plot:

Several Chinese residents play music. A dragon frees himself from a cage and goes after them, but fireworks are shoved down the dragon's throat. This causes him to explode and turn into a walking dragon skeleton. |

Plot Keywords:

Surrealism | Merrie Melodies

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Leon Schlesinger Studios

Soundtrack:

Chinatown, My Chinatown

An Interesting Early '30s, Irregular Characters, Merrie Melodies Short.

This is my most favorite out of the ethnic/international-based MM shorts featuring irregular characters. I'll try not to give away too much for those who haven't seen it but: First of all, this one is set in China and of course there are some Chinese stereotypes, but if anyone can overlook them it's still quite enjoyable, funny and great. One shouldn't believe everything is necessarily true about them.

Secondly, it basically involves a young boy on his way to seeing his girlfriend, they perform a song that's the same title as this cartoon ( as many of the other, earliest Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies share titles with the songs performed in them) and they spend time together. The sub-plot involves the trademark gags found in cut-away scenes from the couple and a Chinese aristocrat who, after returning to his home, introduces " 'melican " music to the traditional band and servants inside. They instantly join in and have a jam session. The boy and girl hear the music, and head into the home. But everyone's great time is interrupted by a dragon who escapes his cage and enters the home. I'll let y'all find out for yourselves how this climaxes.

The reason why I find this short so interesting is because of getting the opportunity to look into other cultures through these cartoons and the humor throughout it, especially the ending of this in particular, with the usual wackiness. I highly recommend it and the similar cartoon short, Disney's The China Plate (similar in that it too features a young couple, the Chinese setting and a dragon). Luckily, I checked out this Merrie Melody before it was removed from Youtube less than a couple months ago. Can't wait till this is brought to DVD as part of a later edition LT/MM compilation in the future. This one should not be passed. It's definitely not one of those anybody would have the misfortune to regret seeing.

Note: Other similar cartoons I recommend are any of the earliest Merrie Melodies featuring couples of other ethnicities and cultures (such as the Pacific Islanders from Pagan Moon and the American Indians from Crosby, Columbo and Vallee), as this was another running theme.

Never mind, this short can be seen on the third disc of the Forbidden Hollywood Collection Vol. 3 DVD set, for those who are interested.