About Trolley Troubles

Trolley Troubles, released in 1927, is an animated silent comedy film that features one of Walt Disney’s earlier characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The plot centers around Oswald who works as a trolley conductor. His routine journey turns into an adventurous ride when a stubborn cow refuses to clear off the tracks, causing him to stop. Later, he faces a steep hill that presents him a serious challenge. Wild and uncontrolled, the trolley speeds up and in these chaotic circumstances, Oswald has to rely on his lucky rabbit foot for the rescue.

Making / Production

The movie was produced by Universal Pictures and marked the second appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character developed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Trolley Troubles presented a combination of live-action and animation, which became a hallmark of Disney's later career. The use of anthropomorphic characters and humorous situations were groundbreaking in animation during that period.

Actors

• Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: As the central character, Oswald's comic charm and improvising actions in face of unexpected challenges exhibit the essence of early animation artistry.

Trivia / Interesting Facts about it

• Trolley Troubles was the first successful Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon, establishing the character as a popular figure in the era.
• The film marked the beginning of Oswald's adventure series, which lasted until 1928.
• The quickly sketched, yet expressive animations of Oswald, were the foundation of Disney's creative style that later brought characters like Mickey Mouse to life.

Awards

While the movie did not win any awards, it played a monumental role in shaping the future of early animation and laid the groundwork for the prosperity of Walt Disney Studio.

Quotes

• As a silent film, Trolley Troubles did not feature dialogue or quotes. It relied on visual humor and acting skills of the animated characters to tell the story.

Music, Soundtrack

• Music was not a prominent feature in Trolley Troubles considering it was made in the silent era. However, the silent film often was accompanied with live music when screened in theaters, creating sense of engagement for the audience.