Egyptian Melodies

The best thing to do when watching Egyptian Melodies is to forget looking for a plot, as there isn't one. Other than that, this Disney Silly Symphony is very entertaining. The black and white animation looks very clear and smooth with good character designs, but visually I found the camera work to be the most striking asset of Egyptian Melodies. The two standouts for me in that regard were the slow motion movement of the hallways of the Sphinx, almost from the eyes of somebody following the Spider, and the final dizzying shots of the Spider reacting in horror to the motions of the wall figures. The music has energy and some authentic flavour, while the dance routine, while the least compelling scene of the cartoon, is nicely choreographed. There are also some great gags, the best ones being the chariot race and when the soldier marches off and corrects himself. What takes up most of Egyptian Melodies is where the figures on the wall come to life, to great effect, and there is a wonderfully nightmarish finale. The characters are memorable too, the Spider being the most memorable, but the mummies and hieroglyphics also make an impression. Overall, very entertaining. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Like a lot of the early Silly Symphonies made at the Disney Studio, "Egyptian Melodies" is an essentially plot-free mini-musical that takes place in an atmospheric locale where everyone and everything bobs to the rhythm. This one follows the pattern set by the very first Symphony, "The Skeleton Dance," in its focus on an eerie setting where even the dead can join the party; but instead of skeletons, this time we're presented with mummies eager to jump out of their cases and boogie.

The opening shot is a striking one that sets the tone for what follows: while exotic, pseudo-Middle Eastern music plays and palm trees sway in the foreground, the camera tracks in on the Sphinx . . . a Sphinx that features what appears to be a large wooden door just under its face. On one side of this door is a spider in his web, playing it like a harp. When he hears a commotion inside the Sphinx the spider decides to investigate, first turning to the camera to "shush" us, then beckoning us to follow. (This spider, who is our guide and central character, has been granted the Oliver Hardy-like power to communicate with the viewer.) Our entry into the Sphinx is a fascinating, scary passage through winding corridors in sharp perspective: impressive animation for its time. Once we're fully inside, the spider loses his self-confidence and seems at a loss, frightened by those dancing mummies and other unpleasant surprises. Meanwhile, our attention shifts to the hieroglyph figures on the wall, which come to life. Egyptian soldiers march, and slaves perform a cymbal dance for the pleasure of the Pharaoh. Then there's a chariot race, and the factions following each competitor get increasingly frenzied as the race progresses. When the situation reaches a crescendo the spider flees in terror.

This is a fun cartoon for animation buffs. When I was a kid I tended to get impatient with these little musicals, as I preferred a strong central character like a Donald Duck or a Bugs Bunny. Now, however, I can appreciate the sheer off-the-wall creativity that went into these things. The Silly Symphonies series served as a training ground for the Disney animators, and when you watch a cartoon like this one you can see where the innovations that led to such classics as "Fantasia" and "Pinocchio" were initially honed and perfected.

Just watched this Walt Disney Silly Symphony on YouTube. In this one, a spider goes inside the Spynx as the camera dollys with him through the corridors. Once at the heart of the place, the little arachnid sees mummys come out of their homes and start dancing. And then the hieroglyphics come to life and do the same...There's really nothing else that goes on there other then what I described though I don't want to reveal what happens to the end. You'll just have to see for yourself. It's certainly fascinating to see the early works of the Disney animators during the initial talking picture era before they would become even more accomplished when they would all do features several years later. So on that note, Egyptian Melodies comes highly recommended.

A spider enters the Sphinx. What "Egyptian" stuff does he see. Let's think a moment. There are mummies. Of course, sarcophagi. He has already seen pyramids and the aforementioned sphinx. Mostly, we have perpetual motion hieroglyphics. Why the spider is in there--who knows. It's a bit of a lark and that's about it.

The only quote in this film is 'Mummy!' by the little spider. Other than that, the music is brilliantly done. The mummies are great, The palm trees are great, The spider was great, The Sphinx was great, The long johns were great (!), The sound effects were great, Even the creeping pyramid was great!, My compliments to Walt Disney! The colour usage works just fine. It's just wonderful how Disney films are non-violent and without bloodshed (most of the time). Silly Symphonies are brilliant (and musical, like they're supposed to be!) If you like 'Egyptian Melodies', then try 'China Plate', a Chinese/Japanese short film with the same black and white colouring and cute music. Available on DVD, thank goodness.