The Cat's Tale (1941)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Friz Freleng

Writer:

Michael Maltese (writer)

Release Date:

1 March 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Animation | Short | Comedy

Plot:

The mouse, tired of being chased by the cat, convinces him there's no reason for it, and that the cat should talk to the dog and convince him too. The talks are not successful... |

Plot Keywords:

Merrie Melodies | Spike | Burma Shave | Cartoon Cat | Cartoon

Cast

Mel Blanc

...

Mouse / Cat (voice) (uncredited)

Runtime:

8 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Leon Schlesinger Studios

Goofs:

Continuity: The water dish, emptied earlier, is full just before the chase begins.

Soundtrack:

Trade Winds

Agreeably different

Fed up with being chased by the house cat, the mouse stands up to the cat and reasons with him that, just because cats have always chased mice, it doesn't mean they have to continue. When the cat agrees with him, the cat then goes to try the same line of argument with the local bulldog, Spike.

How many different variations on the old mouse/cat/dog have their been? With so many, it is rare for me to come across one that actually manages to come across as unique or at least different from the usuals. However, this cartoon managed to do it by making it more about diplomacy that anything else. The mouse and the cat work things out in an adult fashion, the cat sets out to do the same with the dog, but things don't go to plan. It does have the usual relationships in it but the approach of the characters is quite funny.

The characters are quite nondescript and I didn't really like the voices used - too posh almost! The looks are good though, and they do come across like they have been drawn as opposed to being bland creations with no imagination. In fact the whole cartoon is well drawn and even the backgrounds are well animated and not just rolling scenery.

Overall, this cartoon is not as funny as some others but it's different qualities make it worth seeing. The humour is in the very unusual characters rather than just physical things. It ain't great but it is funny and different enough to justify watching.