Snappy Salesman: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Lantz, 1930)

This rare black-and-white archival footage presents "Snappy Salesman," a classic silent Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon from February 17, 1930, produced and directed by Walter Lantz for Universal Studios—nearly a century ago—offering a nostalgic chuckle for early animation fans. The silent film follows Oswald, the mischievous black rabbit with expressive ears, as he runs a music store, attempting to convince a single father and his many children to buy instruments. Using his charm, Oswald leads the cat family into his shop, showcasing pianos, drums, and horns, but an abrupt jump cut (possibly an edit) interrupts the scene, shifting to the family laughing at his antics. The cartoon ends with Oswald’s energetic sales pitch descending into slapstick as the children play wildly, overwhelming him, all set against simple, whimsical backgrounds typical of the era. Noted as a possible withheld 1929 entry with a production number (5082) typically assigned to 1929 cartoons, this short—running approximately five minutes, shorter than Lantz’s average—marks an early Lantz effort, blending musical gags with Oswald’s signature humor. A lively window into early 1930s animation’s golden age, this preserved gem grips cartoon enthusiasts, animation historians, and nostalgic viewers, offering a timeless peek at a salesmanship saga frozen in time.