Cat-Tails for Two is a 1953 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon, directed by Robert McKimson and written by Tedd Pierce.[2] The short was released on August 29, 1953.[3] It was the first appearance of Speedy Gonzales, in a prototype form.[4] Because this cartoon's rendition of Speedy Gonzales looked rather coarse, they redesigned him for future cartoon releases.
| Cat-Tails for Two | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert McKimson |
| Story by | Tedd Pierce |
| Produced by | Edward Selzer |
| Starring | Mel Blanc Stan Freberg[1] |
| Music by | Carl Stalling |
| Animation by | Herman Cohen Phil DeLara Charles McKimson Rod Scribner Keith Darling Harry Love |
| Layouts by | Robert Givens |
| Backgrounds by | Richard H. Thomas |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6:40 |
| Language | English |
The cartoon has been criticized for its stereotypical and insensitive depictions of Mexicans.[5]
Plot
edit
George and Benny, two dim-witted cats, are searching for food on a pier when they discover a Mexican ship. Hoping for Mexican mice, they board the ship and encounter Speedy Gonzales, who declares himself "The Fastest Mouse in All Mexico."
George and Benny go through numerous attempts to capture Speedy, who always outwits them. Speedy comes to think of them as private entertainment, at one point declaring "I like those fellows. All the time having fon (fun)!" The cats' failures include setting a crate of anvils as a trap, trying to use dynamite-laced cheese without a match, and using a pipe and mallet setup.
In their final attempt, the cats try to channel dynamite through a pipe into Speedy's hiding place, but Speedy bends the pipe back toward them. George's lit dynamite results in an explosion that sends both cats flying into the harbor. As they fall, George admits he has lost his appetite for Mexican food, while Speedy remarks on their silliness.
Voice cast
edit- Mel Blanc as Speedy Gonzales, George, Benny's screaming
- Stan Freberg as Benny
References
edit- ^ Scott, Keith (2022). Cartoon Voices from the Golden Age, 1930-70. BearManor Media. p. 85. ISBN 979-8-88771-010-5.
- ^ Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 252. ISBN 0-8050-0894-2.
- ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 104–106. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Behnken, Brian D.; Smithers, Gregory D. (24 March 2015). Racism in American Popular Media: From Aunt Jemima to the Frito Bandito: From Aunt Jemima to the Frito Bandito. ABC-CLIO. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-4408-2977-2.
- ^ Behnken, Brian D.; Smithers, Gregory D. (2015). Racism in American Popular Media: From Aunt Jemima to the Frito Bandito. ABC-CLIO. pp. 112–113. ISBN 9781440829772. Retrieved 13 June 2020.