Generally,as far as most of the animated shorts that MGM produced back in their glory days (the 1940's & 1950's), I most admired the work of Hanna/Barbara & Tex Avery. Most of the Hugh Harmon shorts, although beautifully animated, were far too cute for their own good (I mean, how many times do you want to see cute,little fluffy wuffy bunnies in danger in the forest prime evil?). Harmon, however did manage to break out of this groove & surprised everyone with an animated short that not only entertained the little ones, but the parents too. The Alley Cat from 1941 was one of these surprises. A high society cat is romanced by a rather scruffy alley cat (who sounded very much like Donald Duck--but is not voiced by Clarence Nash,just somebody who sounded like him). The only thing keeping this lady cat from being with Mr.alley cat is the family butler who turns the bulldog loose on Mr. Cat. What results is a fast paced,funny short that can (and does)appeal to the grown ups, too. Harmon directed/supervised some other quality shorts for MGM, as well (read the various blogs for 'The Blue Danube',from 1939)