ianlueck

In 1955, Friz Freleng directed a short called A Kiddies Kitty, which was an unpleasant piece of business where Sylvester is repeatedly mistreated by a clueless little girl who doesn't know how to take care of pets, and eventually decides the lesser of two evils by goading a bulldog to chase him instead. Comedically, that cartoon didn't work, because the "comedy" was all about Sylvester getting abused over and over, and none of it was because of his own doing. He was a hapless victim.

Well in 1958, Friz remade the cartoon, only this time he did it right. In this one, Junior is a similarly clueless boy who mistreats his dog, and is reprimanded by his mother for it (something missing in A Kiddies Kitty), which ultimately results in him being sent to his room. Junior dreams that he himself is a dog, and gets a taste of his own medicine when he's mistreated by a little girl in dog form. This is the right way to do this kind of story, since Junior learns empathy. Also, it helps that the girl is a bit more likable than the girl in A Kiddies Kitty, even when she's doing things like stuffing Dog Junior in the washer/dryer and brushing his teeth with soap.

The ending is also superior, with a true mind screw line that makes you laugh for just how bizarre it is.

Back when I first saw this short on What a Cartoon! Show in 1996, I didn't get that it was a biting commentary on health care, I just found it an entertaining Rocko's Modern Life-style cartoon. While the short was made in Italy, its themes could easily apply to our health care system in America: The unnecessary tests, the poor bedside manner, the disregard for what the patient's telling the doctor, the maze that is the modern hospital, the reluctance on the part of the patient to receive further medical care even if something's wrong with them (usually because of how costly it is); all of that is wrapped in a very entertaining cartoon. The short is mostly told in pantomime and physical comedy; the only word uttered is "Help!" The presentation is top notch: It's fully animated and has an appropriately frenetic score that weaves in various classical pieces. Very memorable character designs as well, especially Jof with his fluffy tail that always seems to get in the way.

The only aspects it doesn't really touch are the high costs of health care (at least in the U. S.) and the agonizing amount of waiting. Jof manages to be seen by a doctor almost immediately. That's really realistic.

It's easily found online; go watch it if you haven't.