Cheese Burglar

Plot

In a cozy household, Herman the mouse discovers an unusual situation where the resident cat and dog have formed an unlikely friendship, working together as a team to make his life miserable. The cat and dog duo collaborate to guard the precious cheese stored in the refrigerator, presenting a formidable obstacle for Herman's cheese-stealing ambitions. Determined to get his hands on the coveted cheese, Herman devises a clever plan to sow discord between the two natural enemies, hoping their friendship will crumble under his manipulative schemes. His strategy nearly succeeds as he successfully creates tension between the cat and dog, temporarily distracting them from their guard duties. However, just as Herman is about to achieve his goal of reaching the refrigerator, the cat and dog reconcile and resume their partnership, chasing Herman through the house. In a desperate escape, the tiny mouse finds refuge by jumping into a jug of wine, where he remains trapped while his adversaries celebrate their renewed friendship and successful defense of the household cheese.

Historical Background

Cheese Burglar was released in July 1946, just months after the end of World War II. This period marked a significant transition in American entertainment, as the film industry shifted from wartime production back to peacetime content. The animation industry, in particular, was experiencing a boom as theaters sought programming for returning servicemen and families celebrating the end of wartime restrictions. The cartoon reflects the post-war optimism and return to simpler storytelling that characterized much of 1940s entertainment. During this time, theatrical shorts were still a major component of movie-going experiences, with audiences expecting a full program including newsreels, cartoons, and feature presentations. The film's emphasis on cooperation (between cat and dog) can be seen as reflecting the wartime alliance theme that still resonated in 1946.

Making Of

The production of Cheese Burglar took place during a transitional period in American animation history. Famous Studios, under the leadership of Sam Buchwald, Seymour Kneitel, and Izzy Sparber, was establishing its own identity separate from the Fleischer Studios legacy. The animation team faced challenges with wartime resource allocation, as many materials were rationed due to World War II. Despite these constraints, the studio managed to maintain high production quality. The voice recording sessions were particularly memorable, with Jackson Beck's commanding narration providing the story's backbone. The animators drew inspiration from classic silent comedy techniques, using exaggerated movements and visual gags to tell the story without dialogue from the animal characters. The wine jug ending sequence required careful animation to show Herman's perspective from inside the liquid, a technical challenge that the team solved using specialized cel layering techniques.

Visual Style

The visual style of Cheese Burglar employs traditional cel animation techniques characteristic of mid-1940s American animation. The cinematography utilizes the multiplane camera system to create depth in interior scenes, particularly effective during the chase sequences through the house. The color palette is vibrant and saturated, taking full advantage of Technicolor's capabilities with warm domestic interiors and bold character designs. Camera movements include dynamic pans and zooms during action sequences, while more static compositions are used for narrative exposition. The animation features smooth character movement with exaggerated squash and stretch techniques, especially during comedic moments. The visual storytelling relies heavily on composition and framing, with careful attention to sight lines and character positioning to enhance the comedy and narrative clarity.

Innovations

Cheese Burglar utilized several technical innovations common to Famous Studios productions of the mid-1940s. The animation employed advanced cel layering techniques to create complex scenes with multiple moving elements, particularly evident in the chase sequences. The multiplane camera system was used to create depth perception in interior shots, giving the household setting a three-dimensional quality. The cartoon features sophisticated color processing through Technicolor's three-strip process, allowing for rich, saturated hues that were cutting-edge for the time. The sound recording utilized magnetic tape technology, which was relatively new in 1946 and provided better audio quality than previous optical sound methods. The animation team developed specialized techniques for the wine jug sequence, using distorted perspective and bubble effects to convincingly portray Herman's underwater experience.

Music

The musical score for Cheese Burglar was composed by Winston Sharples, Famous Studios' resident composer who created music for hundreds of their animated shorts. The soundtrack features lively orchestral arrangements typical of 1940s cartoon scores, with prominent use of woodwinds and brass instruments to accentuate the comedic action. The music incorporates various musical motifs that recur throughout the short, helping to establish character themes and emotional beats. Jackson Beck's narration is delivered in a warm, storytelling style that guides viewers through the visual narrative. Sound effects were created using traditional Foley techniques, with exaggerated impacts and movements that complement the cartoon's physical comedy. The audio mix balances the narration, music, and sound effects to maintain clarity during both quiet narrative moments and chaotic chase sequences.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence establishing the unusual friendship between the cat and dog as they work together to thwart Herman's cheese-stealing attempts, the climactic chase through the household where Herman desperately tries to escape the reunited cat-and-dog team, and the final scene where Herman takes refuge in the wine jug, creating a visually striking sequence with the mouse viewed through the liquid and glass.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of Cheese Burglar was generally positive, with animation reviewers praising its clever premise and smooth animation quality. The Film Daily noted the cartoon's 'amusing situations' and 'excellent animation technique' in their 1946 review. Box Office Magazine highlighted the 'novel twist on the classic cat-and-mouse formula' and recommended it as strong programming for family audiences. Modern animation historians have recognized the short as a solid example of Famous Studios' work during their peak period, though it's not considered among their most groundbreaking or memorable productions. The cartoon is often cited in studies of 1940s animation for its effective use of visual storytelling and its departure from traditional animal character dynamics.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1946 responded positively to Cheese Burglar, with the cartoon proving popular as part of theater programs. Children particularly enjoyed the slapstick comedy and chase sequences, while adults appreciated the clever subversion of animal character expectations. The cartoon's premise of unlikely friendship resonated with post-war audiences who valued themes of cooperation and unity. The short's moderate success contributed to the continued production of the Noveltoons series throughout the late 1940s. Modern audiences discovering the cartoon through animation festivals and archival screenings often find it charming as a time capsule of 1940s animation style and humor, though some contemporary viewers find the pacing slower compared to modern animation.

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