Cat-Tails for Two

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	August 29, 1953 (1953-08-29)
Running time	6:40
Language	English

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.

Plot

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."

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

• Mel Blanc as Speedy Gonzales / George / Benny (screaming)
• Stan Freberg as Benny

Reception

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

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.

External links

• Cat-Tails for Two at IMDb