This short was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short. There will be spoilers ahead:
I think I can safely say that I've never seen an animated short about death which reminded me as strongly of a Tex Avery cartoon as does this one! It's fast, sharp and funny, the animation is great and it has a killer ending (sorry, but I couldn't resist)! The short opens on an old woman, who clearly misses here late husband, going to bed with his picture. There are some nice visual bits of foreshadowing and we then see the woman's ghost separate from her body and she sees a light and then Death. He comes for her and she willingly chooses to go. As they start to cross over-ZAP!-a doctor revives her, much to her dismay and that of Death.
Thus begins a battle Royal over this one little old lady, Death on one side, the doctor and his four doting "Stepford nurses" on the other. Death harvests her with his sickle, then doc brings her back to life. The best is yet to come! A totally gonzo scene plays out as various characters play keep away with the lady, eventually ending up with them playing hide and seek in the drawers at the morgue! The gags here must be seen, as words don't do them justice.
The lady eventually winds up in a wheelchair rolling down a set of steps built like a roller coaster. Everyone winds up back in the operating room, where Death tosses in the towel and leaves. The lady is revived to see Death leaving alone when she clearly wants to go with him. No one, however, has taken into account just what a determined woman is capable of when she wants something! The end of the short is priceless, so I won't spoil it here. This short is available on DVD and is worth finding. Most recommended.
I think I can safely say that I've never seen an animated short about death which reminded me as strongly of a Tex Avery cartoon as does this one! It's fast, sharp and funny, the animation is great and it has a killer ending (sorry, but I couldn't resist)! The short opens on an old woman, who clearly misses here late husband, going to bed with his picture. There are some nice visual bits of foreshadowing and we then see the woman's ghost separate from her body and she sees a light and then Death. He comes for her and she willingly chooses to go. As they start to cross over-ZAP!-a doctor revives her, much to her dismay and that of Death.
Thus begins a battle Royal over this one little old lady, Death on one side, the doctor and his four doting "Stepford nurses" on the other. Death harvests her with his sickle, then doc brings her back to life. The best is yet to come! A totally gonzo scene plays out as various characters play keep away with the lady, eventually ending up with them playing hide and seek in the drawers at the morgue! The gags here must be seen, as words don't do them justice.
The lady eventually winds up in a wheelchair rolling down a set of steps built like a roller coaster. Everyone winds up back in the operating room, where Death tosses in the towel and leaves. The lady is revived to see Death leaving alone when she clearly wants to go with him. No one, however, has taken into account just what a determined woman is capable of when she wants something! The end of the short is priceless, so I won't spoil it here. This short is available on DVD and is worth finding. Most recommended.