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The Eyes Have It

Name: The Eyes Have It
Director: Jack Hannah
Released: 1945
Duration: 7 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1945

Director

Jack Hannah

Runtime

7 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Eyes Have It is a quintessential mid-century slapstick short that prioritizes physical comedy over social depth. The narrative relies on a hierarchy of dominance, where Donald uses technology to manipulate Pluto's perception of reality. Since the characters are anthropomorphic animals, the film avoids human social constructs like race or ethnicity. Instead, it focuses on species-based identity and the chaos of mistaken identity. Ultimately, the film reflects the era's standard approach to animation, utilizing temporary cognitive shifts and male-centric dynamics to drive a simple, gag-based plot.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Eyes Have It have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses solely on the interactions between Donald Duck and Pluto. There is no depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Eyes Have It portray gender?

Limited

The short lacks any female characters, focusing on a male-driven comedic dynamic. It does not challenge traditional gender roles or hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Eyes Have It?

Minimal

The cast consists of anthropomorphic animals with no visible ethnic or racial diversity. The narrative centers on species-based identity rather than human social constructs.

How does The Eyes Have It represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story reinforces traditional power dynamics through a master-subject relationship. It does not engage with diverse cultural institutions or social structures.

Does The Eyes Have It include disability representation?

Minimal

Hypnosis is used strictly as a comedic plot device to facilitate slapstick humor. The induced cognitive state has little control over what happens to them and serves only to drive physical comedy.

Present on Screen

The film effectively uses classic slapstick clichés to create high-energy physical comedy.
The use of anthropomorphic characters allows for imaginative, species-based identity shifts.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks any female presence or gender diversity.
The film relies on a one-sided power dynamic that lacks social nuance.
Cognitive states are used as mere tools for violence rather than meaningful representation.

Official Synopsis

Donald receives a mail order hypnosis kit complete with hypnotic goggles and decides to test it on Pluto. Using the goggles, he convinces Pluto he is a mouse, a turtle, and a chicken. Each "transformation" Pluto undergoes Donald finds extremely funny so he keeps at it until he notices chicken Pluto getting into a fight with a rooster. Donald helps Pluto win the fight by making him think he's a lion but, unfortunately, the goggles break and Donald is chased about by Pluto until he regains his senses after a fall.

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