Cat-Tails for Two

Last updated
Cat-Tails for Two
TC Cattails2.png
Directed by Robert McKimson
Story by Tedd Pierce
Produced by Edward Selzer
Starring Mel Blanc
Stan Freberg [1]
Music by Carl Stalling
Animation byHerman Cohen
Phil DeLara
Charles McKimson
Rod Scribner
Keith Darling
Harry Love
Layouts by Robert Givens
Backgrounds byRichard H. Thomas
Color process Technicolor
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • August 29, 1953 (1953-08-29)
Running time
6:40
LanguageEnglish

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.

Contents

The cartoon has been criticized for its stereotypical and insensitive depictions of Mexicans. [5]

Plot

Early prototype of Speedy Gonzales before redesign Early-Speedy.jpg
Early prototype of Speedy Gonzales before redesign

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."

Despite numerous attempts to catch Speedy, the clever mouse consistently outwits them, finding their efforts amusing. 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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speedy Gonzales</span> Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon character

Speedy Gonzales is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He is portrayed as "The Fastest Mouse in all Mexico" with his major traits being the ability to run extremely fast, being quick-witted and heroic while speaking with an exaggerated Mexican accent. He usually wears a yellow sombrero, white shirt and trousers, and a red kerchief, similar to that of some traditional Mexican attires. To date, there have been 46 theatrical shorts made either starring or featuring the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slowpoke Rodriguez</span> Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon character

José "Slowpoke" Rodríguez is a fictional animated cartoon mouse, part of the Looney Tunes' cast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frito Bandito</span> Advertising mascot

The Frito Bandito was the cartoon mascot for Fritos corn chips from 1967 to 1971. The Bandito was created by the Foote, Cone & Belding Agency and animated by Tex Avery. The character was voiced by Mel Blanc, who used an exaggerated Mexican accent not unlike another character of his, Speedy Gonzales. The Frito Bandito spoke broken English and robbed people of their Fritos corn chips, a reference to the "Mexican bandit" stereotype in Western movies.

<i>Mexicali Shmoes</i> 1959 film

Mexicali Shmoes is a 1959 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon short directed by Friz Freleng. The short was released on July 4, 1959, and stars Speedy Gonzales and the singing cats Jose and Manuel. Voice actors include Mel Blanc as the voices of Speedy Gonzales and Jose plus an uncredited Dal McKennon as the voice of Manuel.

The Wild Chase is a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies short directed by Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt. The short was released on February 27, 1965, and stars Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester and Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. This cartoon was the only Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon to be directed by Freleng or Pratt, who specialized in Speedy and Sylvester cartoons. It is also noted as a crossover between the Sylvester/Speedy and Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoons.

Tabasco Road is a 1957 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Bob McKimson. The short was released on July 20, 1957, and stars Speedy Gonzales.

<i>Speedy Gonzales</i> (film) 1955 American film

Speedy Gonzales is a 1955 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Friz Freleng from a story by Warren Foster. The short was released on September 17, 1955, and stars Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

<i>Wagon Heels</i> 1945 film

Wagon Heels is a 1945 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies short directed by Bob Clampett. The short was released on July 28, 1945, and stars Porky Pig.

<i>Gonzales Tamales</i> 1957 film

Gonzales' Tamales is a 1957 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated film directed by Friz Freleng. The short was released on November 30, 1957, and stars Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

The Astroduck is a 1966 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The short was released on January 1, 1966, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales.

It's Nice to Have a Mouse Around the House is a 1965 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon animated short directed by Friz Freleng. The short was released on January 16, 1965, and stars Daffy Duck, Speedy Gonzales, Sylvester and Granny. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc and Ge Ge Pearson.

Well Worn Daffy is a 1965 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated short directed by Robert McKimson. The short was released on May 22, 1965, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales.

Feather Finger is a 1966 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. It was released on August 20, 1966, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales.

Mucho Locos is a 1966 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The short was released on February 5, 1966, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales.

Daffy's Diner is a 1967 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The short was released on January 21, 1967, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales. It was the final Warner Bros. cartoon to be produced by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises.

Snow Excuse is a 1966 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The short was released on May 21, 1966, and stars Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales.

Here Today, Gone Tamale is a 1959 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated short, directed by Friz Freleng. The short was released on August 29, 1959, and stars Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

Cats and Bruises is a 1965 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt. The short was released on January 30, 1965, and stars Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

Road to Andalay is a 1964 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt. The short was released on December 26, 1964, and is one of the last shorts to feature Speedy Gonzales and Sylvester.

References

  1. ↑ Scott, Keith (2022). Cartoon Voices from the Golden Age, 1930-70. BearManor Media. p. 85. ISBN   979-8-88771-010-5.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 104–106. ISBN   0-8160-3831-7 . Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.