You are here:
As the Fly Flies

As the Fly Flies

1944

Approved

Director

Howard Swift

Runtime

6 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

The plummy-voiced narrator of this late Columbia black and white cartoon interviews Professor Igor Puzzlewitz and quizzes him on his newest Rube-Goldbergesque invention to swat flies. Chaos ensues.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.2/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any evidence of non-cisnormative identities or queer-coded subtext. It adheres to the heteronormative and gender-binary standards typical of 1940s animation.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative centers on Professor Igor Puzzlewitz, reinforcing traditional masculine intellectualism. There is no indication of female agency or the subversion of patriarchal structures.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The film reflects the homogeneous casting standards of its era. There is no evidence of non-Anglo-Saxon majority casting or diverse ensemble characters.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The premise aligns with mid-century Western values regarding technological progress. It utilizes the Rube Goldberg trope common in Western comedic traditions without critiquing established institutions.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The slapstick chaos does not appear to serve as a tool for disability representation.

Strengths

  • The film effectively utilizes the Rube Goldberg trope to drive its comedic mechanical absurdity.

Areas for Improvement

  • The narrative lacks female agency and diverse character archetypes.
  • The film fails to provide any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or racial diversity.
  • There is no engagement with disability or non-Western cultural perspectives.

AI Analysis

As the Fly Flies is a product of its time, functioning as a traditional mid-century animated short. The narrative prioritizes mechanical absurdity and slapstick comedy over social complexity. It relies on established character archetypes rather than intersectional depth. The film's structure is built around a singular interaction between a narrator and a professor. This narrow focus limits the opportunity for diverse representation or the disruption of cultural hierarchies. Ultimately, the work reflects the standard approach to characterization found in 1940s Columbia Pictures animation, emphasizing gag-driven narratives over social deconstruction.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.