Puss n' Booty

Plot

A wealthy woman living in a luxurious home becomes increasingly puzzled as her collection of pet birds continues to vanish mysteriously one by one. Her cat, Rudolph, appears innocent except for the occasional feather burp that escapes his lips, clearly indicating his guilt in the matter. Frustrated by the disappearances, the woman orders a new bird from the pet shop - a small yellow canary named Petey who arrives with a confident, street-smart attitude. Unlike the previous birds who fell victim to Rudolph's predatory instincts, Petey proves to be a formidable opponent who outsmarts the cat at every turn. The cartoon culminates in a series of comedic confrontations where the clever canary repeatedly turns the tables on the hapless feline, ultimately teaching Rudolph a lesson he won't soon forget.

Historical Background

Released in December 1943, 'Puss n' Booty' emerged during the height of World War II when American animation studios were heavily involved in producing war propaganda and training films. The Warner Bros. animation unit, led by producer Leon Schlesinger, was at its creative peak during this period, developing the irreverent style that would define the Looney Tunes legacy. The cartoon industry was transitioning from black and white to color production, with this film representing one of the final holdouts of the monochrome era. Home entertainment was crucial for wartime morale, and theatrical cartoons served as both entertainment and escapism for audiences dealing with rationing and the anxieties of war. The animation industry was also experiencing labor tensions, with the Disney strike of 1941 still influencing working conditions across studios.

Making Of

Frank Tashlin brought his unique comedic sensibility to this cartoon, having previously worked as a comic strip artist and animator at Disney and Ub Iwerks before joining Warner Bros. The production team faced the challenges of wartime resource allocation, with animation supplies being rationed. Mel Blanc recorded his vocal parts in a single session, seamlessly switching between the cat's sly purrs and the canary's cheerful chirps. The animation team, led by principal animators Rod Scribner and Manuel Perez, employed exaggerated squash and stretch techniques to enhance the comedy. The background artists created a lavish Art Deco-inspired setting for the woman's home, contrasting with the cartoonish violence of the cat-and-bird antics. Tashlin insisted on multiple takes for certain sequences, particularly the burping feather gags, to perfect the timing. The cartoon's score was composed by Carl Stalling, who incorporated popular melodies of the era alongside his original compositions.

Visual Style

The animation employs the standard Warner Bros. visual style of the early 1940s, characterized by bold outlines, vibrant shading (even in black and white), and dynamic camera angles. The cinematography makes effective use of close-ups for comedic effect, particularly during the cat's expressions of frustration and the canary's moments of triumph. The animators utilized perspective shots to emphasize the size difference between the cat and bird, enhancing the comedy of their confrontations. The film's visual rhythm matches Tashlin's rapid-fire comedic timing, with quick cuts and exaggerated movements driving the humor.

Innovations

The cartoon represents the refinement of Warner Bros.' animation techniques in the early 1940s, showcasing improved character animation and more sophisticated visual storytelling than earlier shorts. The film demonstrates advanced use of timing and spacing in animation to create comedic effect, particularly in the rapid movements and exaggerated expressions. The production team employed multi-layered backgrounds to create depth in the lavish home setting. The sound design shows the studio's mastery of synchronized audio, with effects and music perfectly timed to the visual action.

Music

Carl Stalling composed the musical score, blending original compositions with popular melodies of the era. The soundtrack makes clever use of musical motifs to characterize the cat and bird, with sleazy trombone phrases accompanying the cat's schemes and upbeat, cheerful tunes for the canary. The sound effects, created by Teshigahara and his team, enhance the physical comedy with exaggerated impacts, crunches, and the distinctive feather burps. Mel Blanc's vocal performance provides the character voices, though the human characters remain silent, relying on visual storytelling.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Rudolph the cat stealthily stalks and captures the first bird, followed by his guilty feather burp
• Petey the canary's arrival at the house, confidently marching in with his suitcase and immediately establishing dominance
• The series of failed attempts by Rudolph to catch Petey, each ending with the cat getting comically injured
• The final confrontation where Petey turns the tables completely, leaving Rudolph battered and defeated
• The closing shot of Petey relaxing in luxury while Rudolph wears a cone of shame

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter praised the cartoon's visual inventiveness and comedic timing, though theatrical shorts rarely received extensive critical coverage. Animation historians have since recognized the film as a solid example of Tashlin's directorial work and the Warner Bros. style of the early 1940s. Modern critics appreciate the cartoon's place in animation history as the final black and white Merrie Melodies release and its influence on later cat-and-bird cartoons. The film is noted for its fluid animation and effective use of visual comedy without relying heavily on dialogue.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1943 responded positively to the cartoon's fast-paced comedy and satisfying conclusion where the underdog (or underbird) triumphs. The film played well as part of the typical double-feature programming of the era, providing comic relief between main features. Over the decades, the cartoon has maintained its appeal through television syndication and home video releases, with generations of viewers enjoying the timeless cat-versus-bird conflict. The cartoon's humor transcends its wartime origins, continuing to entertain audiences unfamiliar with the historical context of its creation.

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