Midnight in a Toy Shop | 1930 | Animation Short

Title: Midnight in a Toy Shop | 1930 | Animation Short Director: Wilfred Jackson Studio: Walt Disney Productions Starring: Animated characters (no credited cast) Based on: Original animated Silly Symphony concept Release Date: July 3 1930 Runtime: Approximately 7 minutes 34 seconds Format: Black and white animated short with synchronized sound Country: United States Language: Silent with music and effects Genres: Animation Music Comedy --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Snowstorm and spider seeks shelter 00:01:30 Spider enters toy shop at midnight 00:03:00 Toys begin to come to life 00:04:30 Spider plays toy piano and music ensues 00:05:30 Toy antics and dancing sequences 00:06:30 Fireworks accident and spider flees --- Summary: Midnight in a Toy Shop is a 1930 animated short in Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony series in which a spider driven by a winter storm sneaks into a deserted toy store at the stroke of midnight. Inside, the toys magically come to life and engage in music-driven antics that accompany the spider’s curious exploration. As the spider interacts with a toy piano, a record player, dancing dolls, and other animated playthings, the atmosphere shifts between whimsy and comic surprise, culminating in a chaotic finale when an accidental ignition of fireworks sends the spider fleeing the shop. The narrative emphasizes rhythmic synchronization of visual movement with musical sequences typical of the Silly Symphonies series, blending lighthearted fantasy and animation innovation in an evocative nocturnal setting. --- Background: Directed by Wilfred Jackson and produced by Walt Disney Productions, Midnight in a Toy Shop is one of the early entries in the Silly Symphonies series that explored mood, music, and animation outside the Mickey Mouse canon. The short was released by Columbia Pictures and features animation by Walt Disney’s team during a period of rapid experimentation with sound and character movement. --- Trivia: The short uses the “toys come to life” motif that would later become a recurring theme in animation and film. Music tracks include classical and popular melodies integrated into the action of the animated toy performances. Although early Silly Symphonies often prioritized musical movement over detailed plot, this short gives a clear narrative focus to the spider’s journey. Some versions of the short included animated depictions reflecting period stereotypes that are omitted in later restorations. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: July 3 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Walt Disney Productions / Columbia Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #MidnightInAToyShop1930 #SillySymphonies #DisneyAnimation #EarlySoundCartoon #ClassicAnimation #PublicDomain