Merrie Melodies short, directed by Bob Clampett, notable today for being one of the Censored Eleven. For those who don't know, the Censored Eleven are cartoons that were withheld from syndication because they were considered to be too offensive due to their use of racial stereotypes and imagery. This one bears some similarities to two of Clampett's other shorts, Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs (also on the Censored Eleven list) and Porky in Wackyland. The plot, such as there is one, is about a black cat going to a night club where the music works him into such a frenzy he has surreal hallucinations. Look, the stereotypical way black people in this are drawn and speak is gross. I don't think anyone will reasonably deny that. But there is some value in this cartoon that's missing from some of the other Eleven. For one thing, the music is terrific. For another, the animation is really nice (offensive parts aside). The trippy hallucination scene is right up Clampett's alley. No one did these types of scenes better than him at that time. So see it if you're a fan of Clampett's and if you don't have a delicate stomach with regard to the offensive elements.
10 Reviews
Warner Bros. courageously tries to save Emmett Till . . .
tadpole-596-91825628 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
. . . during this 1943 Looney Tune, TIN PAN ALLEY CATS. Though it comments some on current events (depicting Stalin kicking Hitler's butt in the World War Two battle for Stalingrad, Russia), the final portion of CATS consists of a Private Message from Warner to Emmett's mom Mamie (these names are validated on Wikipedia and elsewhere) warning her NEVER to bring her then-toddler son anywhere near Ted Turner's Racist "Jim Crow" South. Warner populates this final portion of CATS with dozens of symbolic warning devices, including the lips of a grieving Till Family Member (Emmett's Dad?) plodding along post-lynching, lamenting "Mamie, Mamie, Mamie." Warner's cartooning scribes frequently found their colored pencils being directed by a Ouija Board-like impulse from Beyond, usually portending some sort of American death or disaster. No doubt this warning was meant to keep young Emmett away from that serial attendee of MGM's racist offerings, GONE WITH THE WIND FAN J.W. Milam. However, Mamie somehow missed Warner's warning and took Emmett to Money, MS, where J.W. slew him Aug. 28, 1955. That bastion of American Racism, Atlanta "Braves" owner and televised "Tomahawk Chopper" Ted Turner soon added CATS to his infamous cover-up scheme called "The Censored Eleven."
Why is it...
lee_eisenberg4 July 2007
...that some of the cleverest cartoons were also some of the most racially offensive? Among the examples are Bob Clampett's "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs" and "Tin Pan Alley Cats". This one portrays a Fats Walker-resembling feline who gets blasted outta this world into a setting lifted out of Clampett's earlier "Porky in Wackyland".
Yes, it seems like every time that they came up with a particularly novel idea, it came out like this. Well, maybe not every time. I would advise not watching this for straight-forward entertainment, but rather as a look at Hollywood's portrayal of African-Americans over the years. Available on YouTube.
Yes, it seems like every time that they came up with a particularly novel idea, it came out like this. Well, maybe not every time. I would advise not watching this for straight-forward entertainment, but rather as a look at Hollywood's portrayal of African-Americans over the years. Available on YouTube.
One of Bob Clampett's Best!
chris_sherlock19 January 2002
This is a great short that is right up there with Clampett's earlier "Porky in Wackyland." In fact, the shorts are very similar in ways other than being Clampett creations. The odd characters that Porky encounters in "Porky in Wackyland" are very similar to the characters that the Fats Waller-esque cat runs across in the fantasy sequence in "Tin Pan Alley Cats."
Overall, "Tin Pan Alley Cats" is arguably one of the best shorts from the golden age of animation. They certainly don't make them like this anymore!
Overall, "Tin Pan Alley Cats" is arguably one of the best shorts from the golden age of animation. They certainly don't make them like this anymore!
Great if you are looking for stupid and racist cartoons for the kids!
planktonrules18 October 2006
Uggghhh!!!! This is one of several Looney Toons cartoons that were shelved decades back due to their strongly racist content. And while SOME of them are actually highly offensive BUT well-made, this one is a bore even if it weren't full of racial stereotypes. For some of these offensive cartoons, I have recommended people watch them--particularly for their historical value. However, this one has really nothing to recommend it--being a long cartoon with nothing but stupid music and very, very big-lipped Black characters acting,...well,...STUPID! So, the film is offensive, poorly made and not particularly entertaining--everything you'd like in a cartoon, huh?! (this is sarcasm, by the way)
Not for the faint hearted, but still one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons
TheLittleSongbird24 October 2016
Bob Clampett was a highly imaginative director, with a wonderfully wacky visual style unlike any other animator/director in cartoon history and the humour in his cartoon was often thick and fast, razor sharp and inventive in visuals.
'Tin Pan Alley Cats' is not one of his strongest efforts, and many won't take kindly to some of the material and stereotypes. One can see why it's one of the "Censored 11" cartoons, but to be honest there are worse and more offensive cartoons in this small group, particularly 'Angel Puss' which was both offensive and a bad cartoon.
It is not hard to see why the material in 'Tin Pan Alley Cats' is not for the faint hearted or easily offended. As someone who isn't easily offended, even I had to admit that the characters were poorly drawn, ugly in design and with features ridiculously exaggerated (especially those lips) and that the stereotypes of black people looking, sounding and acting stupid and lazy (which is further from the truth more often than not) are crude, exaggerated to extreme and unsubtle to the point of offensiveness. The cartoon is very light on plot.
Despite all this, there is entertainment value in 'Tin Pan Alley Cats' and much of it is exceptionally made, making it somewhere around top middle of the "Censored 11" cartoons in ranking. Cartoons like 'Angel Puss' don't have the honour of having either of those things. Ugly character designs aside, the animation is extremely imaginative and rich in detail. Even greater is the incredible soundtrack which adds to the cartoon enormously and gives it such energy.
Some amusing moments are present, though the humour could have been more consistent, Clampett's distinctive style shines through loud and clear and there is a wonderfully weird surreal atmosphere that works so well within the cartoon and elevates the material to a higher level actually. The supremely talented Mel Blanc has done much better, having to provide stereotypical voices for the characters, but he does bring exuberance at least. The Four Dreamers, Four Spirits of Rhythm and Zoot Watson add a good deal.
Overall, one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons, despite being racially offensive in places. 7/10 Bethany Cox
'Tin Pan Alley Cats' is not one of his strongest efforts, and many won't take kindly to some of the material and stereotypes. One can see why it's one of the "Censored 11" cartoons, but to be honest there are worse and more offensive cartoons in this small group, particularly 'Angel Puss' which was both offensive and a bad cartoon.
It is not hard to see why the material in 'Tin Pan Alley Cats' is not for the faint hearted or easily offended. As someone who isn't easily offended, even I had to admit that the characters were poorly drawn, ugly in design and with features ridiculously exaggerated (especially those lips) and that the stereotypes of black people looking, sounding and acting stupid and lazy (which is further from the truth more often than not) are crude, exaggerated to extreme and unsubtle to the point of offensiveness. The cartoon is very light on plot.
Despite all this, there is entertainment value in 'Tin Pan Alley Cats' and much of it is exceptionally made, making it somewhere around top middle of the "Censored 11" cartoons in ranking. Cartoons like 'Angel Puss' don't have the honour of having either of those things. Ugly character designs aside, the animation is extremely imaginative and rich in detail. Even greater is the incredible soundtrack which adds to the cartoon enormously and gives it such energy.
Some amusing moments are present, though the humour could have been more consistent, Clampett's distinctive style shines through loud and clear and there is a wonderfully weird surreal atmosphere that works so well within the cartoon and elevates the material to a higher level actually. The supremely talented Mel Blanc has done much better, having to provide stereotypical voices for the characters, but he does bring exuberance at least. The Four Dreamers, Four Spirits of Rhythm and Zoot Watson add a good deal.
Overall, one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons, despite being racially offensive in places. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Surreal Clampett Classic
Jgittes8825 September 2003
This cartoon is a wonderful example of Robert Clampett's genius. Perfect musical score; the scene with the scatting trumpet player who blasts Waller "out of this world" into a "Porky in Wackyland" world is an unheralded masterpiece. This one equals or even tops the infamous "Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs" for sheer enjoyment. Certainly worth seeking out.
Tin Pan Alley Cats is another hilariously excellent cartoon from Bob Clampett
tavm9 July 2008
Having just watched his Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs, I was in for a nice surprise when I watched on Thad's Animation Blog, Bob Clampett's next cartoon that was on the "Censored 11" list: Tin Pan Alley Cats. The leading character is a black-face feline inspired by Fats Waller who chooses "wine, women, and song" over a Salvation Army-type band. From there we see lots of jazz-inspired images of various entertainers before we go to a dream sequence taken directly from Clampett's own Porky in Wackyland with some hilariously wacky additions like the "rubber band" (which would appear in the color remake Dough for the Do-Do) and caricatures of Tojo, Hitler, and a Russian leader kicking the latter (the Soviet Union being our allies at the time)! In other words, Clampett has done it again making a kaleidoscope of images that only he can conjure up! The fact that many of the scenes were reused animation didn't bother me in the least. So on that note, I highly recommend Tin Pan Alley Cats.
Superb golden-age animation short!
Hup234!11 March 2000
What marvelous things the animators once did! Seek this out ... great jazz music and Salvador Dali-esque monochrome background art. Brilliant! This inspired cartoon is from the age of pride in creative filmmaking, and as such it is most highly recommended to all. Adults and children alike will appreciate the masterful imageries to be seen and heard.
Jazzy score is just one of many reasons to check this one out!
llltdesq30 May 2002
This is an incredibly good cartoon that has sadly been shoved into the vaults because of the fact that it caricatures pianist Fats Waller (as a cat, no less) and the powers that be are afraid this short might offend somebody somewhere. Even sadder still, Fats Waller himself is probably all too unknown these days. A great musician and one of those larger-than-life personalities that come along a few times each generation. This short reminds me in spots of Porky In Wackyland, but with better music. This is well worth the effort to hunt for. Most highly recommended.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
