The Hole Idea (1955)

A scientist invents the portable hole, only to have a thief steal his samples to go on a crime spree.

Director:

Robert McKimson

Writer:

Sid Marcus (story)

Stars:

Mel Blanc, Bea Benaderet, Robert C. Bruce

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mel Blanc	...	Prof. Calvin Q. Calculus / Newspaper Man / Baby / Scientists / News Reporter / Devil (voice)

Storyline

Meek, little inventor Calvin Q. Calculus defies the ranting of his battle-ax wife and invents a portable hole, which will revolutionize dog bone storage, rescue of babies from safes, and golfer putts. But a thief steals Calculus' supply of portable holes and uses them to go on a crime spree.

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Plot Keywords:

portable hole | inventor | rescue | newspaper headline | henpecked husband | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 1955 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Calvin Q. Calculus: I invented the portable hole for the good of humanity. But let us all hope it will never be used for evil purposes.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

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Soundtracks

"King Chanticleer"
(uncredited)
Music by Nat Ayer
Played when the thief takes the girl from the burlesque theater

User Reviews

Where can I buy one of those holes?!

I love how DVDs of classic Warner Brothers films include some nice extras. With many of the 1930s, 40s and 50s films I've seen from them, they include at least a couple short films from the same year as the feature film--usually a live action one and a cartoon. "The Hole Idea" is a cartoon from 1955 included with another 1955 release, "Pete Kelly's Blues".

This Looney Tunes cartoon does not include any of the stock characters but is about Professor Calculus--the inventor of the portable hole. In this bit of fantasy, you can pick up this hole and use it to hide things, improve your golf game or give you a place to hide when the nagging wife is running amok. Unfortunately, a sinister green-skinned baddie steals this hole and uses it to start a crime wave. The cartoon is quite clever--and quite creative. I especially loved the final scene!! I enjoyed "The Hole Idea" very much and my only reservation is that the art style is indicative of the changes in the cartoon industry at that time--employing cheaper animation (particularly the backgrounds). Still, it's a lot of fun.