StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Vimacone In 1937, the Disney Studio and the Harman-Ising studio were in a jam. Disney was barely meeting the deadline for completing Snow White; They were at the inking and painting stage, but there was not enough people to complete it on time. MGM canceled their distribution contract with Harman-Ising after their films were running over budget. Walt contacted Harman-Ising and asked them if they could loan him their inking and painting department. In return Disney had them produce a Silly Symphony that was in development since 1935, Merbabies. Harman-Ising's cartoons for MGM were so lush that they could be almost mistaken for a Disney cartoon, which is probably why Disney warranted this consideration. Although, animation buffs and historians would be the only ones to notice that house style-wise, this does not resemble a Disney cartoon, but an MGM cartoon. Even Scott Bradley, the composer for virtually every MGM cartoon through the 1950's composed the score. Like most of the cartoons Harman-Ising directed, there isn't much story as there is lush visuals. It's mostly the Merbabies putting on an underwater show. I couldn't make sense out of the ending. Disney had Harman-Ising produced two additional cartoons for him, but RKO wouldn't allow this. It would be interesting to see if this was released as a Happy Harmony or a regular MGM cartoon. This makes for an interesting mash-up of two great animation studios. Worth checking out for the lush visuals and breathtaking musical score.

John T. Ryan WE WEREN'T EVEN at all familiar with this one at all, not even with the title until Turner Classic Movies featured it on their ongoing FROM THE Disney VAULT Series. This was a genuine surprise and provided us with some further understanding of how and when the art of the animated film advanced.TO BEGIN WITH, we found this entry into the SILLY SYMPHONY Series to be sort of unique. It seems to occupy a sort of "No Man's Land" in the developmental charts. Whereas it displays all of the glorious advancements recently developed, it has many similarities to cartoon product of the silent and early talkie eras.AS FAR AS any "Plot" or "Scenario", forget it, they are virtually non-existent. It is as if every scene, visual pun, sight gag and bit of business has but one purpose. Rather than being that of advancing the story along the way to a satisfactory conclusion, it all is intended to be the presentation of the art, animation, sound and color work that were rapidly advancing on to the production of Feature Length Animated productions; with Disney's first in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS having been released the previous year (1937).IN PLACE OF plot or storyline, the short opts for turning the sea floor into a sort of mock circus; mimicking and otherwise lampooning every aspect of the circus World.ANOTHER FACTOR WHICH can't be left out is the fact that it was sort of at least partially sub-contracted out to another production company. As it reads in the IMDb listing, MERBABIES employed former Disney associated Hugh Harmon and Rudolph Ising in helping to meet the Disney Company's deadline in turning out the number of shorts that were contracted for by distributor, RKO Radio Pictures.IT WAS THIS pair who had formed their HARMON-ISING Animation Company and had worked for Warner Brothers and MGM.

Michael_Elliott Merbabies (1938) *** (out of 4) This animated short was actually released by Disney but it was produced by Hugh Harmon and Rudolf Ising. Both men had previously worked at Disney but when Walt needed help finishing SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS this film was bought from them and released. The plot, well, there really isn't much plot but it deals with the title characters, baby mermaids, and their underwater adventures. The "adventures" aren't much either but what makes this film work isn't the plot but instead it's the wonderful and very well-detailed animation. There are some terrific footage underwater and I must admit that the look at the merbabies were rather cute and adorable.

tavm My main interest in watching this Walt Disney Silly Symphony was in my knowledge that Hugh Harmon and Rudolf Ising-former Disney animators-were the actual producers of this cartoon but went to their former employer because their M-G-M contract had recently run out. Disney himself was looking for some extra facilities for his Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (which was released about a year before this short) so Harmon-Ising lent them some of theirs. The result was another of H-I's cutesy endeavors without much of a plot and little actual humor but as always beautiful animation. Besides the title characters, there's a circus-parade of various sea creatures performing with the whale providing the climax. Like I said, not very funny but if you love seeing good animation, Merbabies is worth a look.