Feed the Kitty (1952)

A bulldog, charmed by a kitten, tries to keep her hidden from his human guardian.

Director:

Chuck Jones

Writer:

Michael Maltese (story)

Stars:

Bea Benaderet, Mel Blanc

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Bea Benaderet	...	Marc Anthony's Mistress (voice) (uncredited)
Mel Blanc	...	Marc Anthony / Pussyfoot (voice) (uncredited)

Storyline

In the first of their four Warner Bros. cartoons, fierce bulldog Marc Anthony is won over by cute kitten Pussyfoot, but must scurry frantically to keep the cat from the sight of his mistress, who has forbidden him to bring anything into the house.

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Plot Keywords:

bulldog | kitten | pussyfoot | marc anthony | cat | 

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Genres:

Family | Comedy | Animation | Short

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Kitten for a Friend

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The sequence of reactions by 'Marc Anthony', when he thinks the kitten is being made into cookies, is duplicated, shot-by-shot, in Monsters, Inc., when Sully thinks Boo is in the garbage compactor.

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Goofs

After baking the cookies, the lady gives Marc Anthony a cat shaped cookie but none of the shapes she made before baking the cookies were cat shaped.

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Connections

Referenced in Monsters, Inc. (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Shortnin' Bread"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Chuck Jones is a genius, and this is one of his many masterpieces.

This cartoon isn't shown on television enough. It's one of those fantastic 'once seen, never forgotten' shorts that everyone should watch and enjoy. Chuck Jones, one of the true animation legends, takes a very simple premise and turns it into seven minutes of absolute joy. A huge, slobbering thug of a bulldog (naturally named Mark Anthony!) encounters an adorable black and white kitten, which he initially tries to terrorize. The kitten, however, is just too naive and trusting to be scared, and responds to the threat with pure and simple affection. Against logic, his instincts and most of all nature, the bulldog falls hopelessly in love with the kitten and a relationship develops that is both very touching and hilariously funny. There are three facial expressions in this cartoon I can't forget. Firstly, the dog's face when the kitten gives him a delicate little lick. Secondly, the exquisite look of agony when the kitten claws his back. Finally, and perhaps most memorably, the priceless "Who, me?!" look Mark Anthony gives his owner just after he hides the kitten in the kitchen. Apparently, Jones re-drew this expression fifty-three times (!) before he was happy with it! Perfectionism, the like of which we shall probably never see again. Brilliant from start to finish.