Rubber Hose Animation

Animation Investigation: Part One

Rubber Hose Animation

     Rubber hose animation, also commonly referred to as inkblot animation was the first commonly used animation style that began to emerge and gain popularity in the 1920's and 1930's in American cinema. This style was used in many iconic early animations such as Betty Boop, Felix the Cat, and Steamboat Willie as well as other early Disney creations such as the Silly Symphonies Skeleton Dance. When this style was popular, it was created in black and white and the style of animation got its name from the lack of articulation in the joints such as elbows or knees present in the characters.

  

A frame from Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies collection, The Skeleton Dance

     Some common examples of characteristics of rubber hose figures include but are not limited to, white-gloved hands to show contrast, four fingered hands, simply constructed bodies using basic shapes, (ex. Mickey Mouse), Pie-eyed faces, and black or gray bodies. These distinctions paired with the black and white format the style is most commonly seen in gives rubber hose animation a distinct, recognizable style that can give an almost surrealist impression. In 1930 this style began to utilize color in the Flip the Frog short "Fiddlesticks."



   During the big media boom that was the roaring 20's, the culture also put a unique spin on the idea many people have of what a cartoon should be. Many if the early cartoons pushed social norms by using adult humor such as sexual jokes, gags about prohibition and light profanities.

     Overall, this style of animation really starting bringing people to love the idea of drawings being frequently used in cinema and as a way to entertain. Although, this style is rather uncommon now, it can be seen in popular media such as video games and television shows if someone were to look hard enough. two very popular recent instances of Rubber hose animation being used were in February and September in 2019 when two indie video games were made. Bendy and the Ink Machine and Cuphead: Don't Deal with the Devil were consecutively released, showing that this art style that some may call outdated can really stand the test of time.

Sources:

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/InkblotCartoonStyle?from=Main.RubberhoseAnimation

https://78.media.tumblr.com/a0011a81b396c67e89d1370d9b0eb25d/tumblr_murzv2rLKx1rnr4rko1_500.gif

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/28/16378364/cuphead-art-design-1930s-animation

http://the-animatorium.blogspot.com/2013/06/spaghetti-limbs-bouncy-movement-age-of.html