Frolicking Fish | 1930 | Animated Short

Title: Frolicking Fish | 1930 | Animated Short Director: Burt Gillett Studio: Walt Disney Productions Starring: (animated characters; no credited cast) Based on: Original animated Silly Symphony concept Release Date: August 22 1930 Runtime: Approximately 7 minutes Format: Black and white animated short with synchronized sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Animation Music Comedy --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Underwater coral and sea creatures awaken 00:01:30 Fish begin rhythmic dance 00:03:00 Crabs and lobsters join musical movement 00:04:30 Eels and jellyfish swirl to the beat 00:05:30 Octopus plays instruments 00:06:00 Finale with ensemble aquatic gag --- Summary: Frolicking Fish is a 1930 animated short in Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony series that depicts a lively underwater world where sea creatures gather to dance and perform in synchronized motion to the film’s musical score. Fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals animate the ocean depths with rhythmic movement, creative choreography, and visual gags that emphasize music-driven action. The short prioritizes visual harmony with sound, using inventive animation to bring the marine ensemble to life. --- Background: Produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by Burt Gillett, Frolicking Fish was released as part of the 1930 Silly Symphony cycle that showcased themed animated vignettes tied to music and movement. These shorts explored seasonal and environmental settings — in this case the ocean — through expressive character animation synchronized to musical accompaniment. --- Trivia: Frolicking Fish features coordinated dance sequences between fish and sea creatures intended to mirror the musical rhythm. The short exemplifies early use of synchronized sound in animation outside of dialogue-driven narratives. Part of the 1930 Silly Symphony series, Frolicking Fish demonstrates Disney’s focus on rhythm and character motion as animation evolved during the sound era. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: August 22 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Walt Disney Productions / Columbia Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #FrolickingFish1930 #SillySymphonies #DisneyAnimation #ClassicCartoon #PublicDomain