Cartoon a Day: The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas
1933
Directed by Wilfred Jackson (uncredited)
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures: More Silly Symphonies

Sorry for the lag in "Cartoon a Day" blog posts lately. It's been crazy the last few weeks and I've been too exhausted to blog. Though I have been watching my cartoons, I hope to do a catch up report soon. Well, the Disney Silly Symphony "The Night Before Christmas" seemed like the best choice of cartoon for this Christmas Eve.



In this short, Santa Claus visits a home on Christmas Eve and with the help of a bunch of toys come to life he decorates the house. This depiction of Santa Claus is really a classic, not just from an animation standpoint. This is a jolly, plump, funny St. Nick and I'm sure that many other film depictions of Santa have drawn on this cartoon for inspiration. His design is similar to other plump characters that have appeared in other Silly Symphonies such as King Midas and Noah, but this is probably the best use of that character style in this series of shorts.


Sure this is that sort of cutesy style of animation that is often associated with Disney, but it is the appropriate style for this film. Santa Claus and a bunch of toys setting up a Christmas tree is supposed to be cute! The fun of Christmas is alive and well in this classic short! Merry Christmas everybody!