An Oscar Nominated short from 1947 about tuba who doesn't like his limited range as an instrument. This is one of the earliest instances of stop-motion animation that I've seen.
Cinemas
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), Tubby the Tuba is disappointed that his sound limits what he's permitted to do in an orchestra of self-playing instruments that, unlike him, get to play pretty melodies. A chance meeting with a bullfrog changes everything.
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Cast & crew
3What people say
I know he’s supposed to be the underdog, but I genuinely fucking hate Tubby. I wanted to see that little dweeb get his metal dented 😂😂
George Pal's Puppetoons, with their unique stop-motion style, still look incredible. I love the lighting and the character designs, especially for Tubby and the frog. You can tell that they've been making these for 15 years, because everything moves so smoothly and lifelike.I wish more of the instruments were anthropomorphized, but this is an incredible short for any fan of stop animation. Pair it with the traditionally animated Music Land (1935) for all the living instruments you can handle.
Common questions
What is Tubby the Tuba about?+
The film follows a discouraged tuba who feels limited by his musical range within an orchestra, eventually finding confidence after an encounter with a bullfrog.
Who directed Tubby the Tuba?+
This short film was directed by George Pal, a renowned animator known for his innovative Puppetoon stop-motion technique, in 1947.
Has Tubby the Tuba won any awards?+
While it did not win, Tubby the Tuba received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short in 1948.
