“And th-th-there’s what’s left of the last rat.”
Directed by Robert McKimson; Story by Warren Foster; Animation by Manny Gould, John Carey, Charles McKimson, and Phil DeLara; Layouts by Cornett Wood; Backgrounds by Richard H. Thomas; Voice Characterization by Mel Blanc; Musical Direction by Carl W. Stalling. Released in 1949
Today is the Summer Solstice, which means it’s been at least four months since my fight with my good pal, Porky. I went to him recently and asked what it would take to earn his forgiveness. He’s a good guy and he didn’t ask for much: Just a short starring him that he ends with him being the victor being talked about. Done and done! (Or it will be in about one summary later)
The town of Hamelin has been cleared of rats. Good news, right? Not for the cats of the town. (It’s not like they could eat mice or birds or fish or lizards or…) They go to complain to the supreme cat. (Just like their wild cousins the lions, domestic cats have a monarchy as well.) Supreme there looks familiar doesn’t he? He looks an awful lot like the cat who would appear about seven months later in “Swallow the leader.” But since they are calling him “Supreme”, maybe he is just Miles’ brother. Anyway, he vows to help his people. The piper who got rid of the mice is going to get paid. But if for some reason there was still at least one rat in the town, he’d get gypped. Putting on a rat suit he heads out. Said piper is none other than Porky. Playing a rather catchy rendition of “Little brown jug” he was able to successfully drive the rodents away. All except that large one. (Who asks if they were expecting Bugs Bunny.) The mayor refuses to pay until it’s gone. And so Porky sets off. (In the original story, the mayor refuses to pay the piper anything and so said piper just drives the children out of town. Don’t think Porky isn’t bass enough to do that too. He’s just a nice guy.) Porky loses track of the rodent, instead bumping into some rude cat who says the pig’s sister “smokes cornsilk.” (what?) Porky mentions that he’s wrong. His sister works in a butcher shop and smokes hams. (Make of that what you will.) Finding a labeled rat hole, Porky tries to lure it out. He gets scolded by the cat for bothering a sick baby. (“I’m not long for this world.”) The rat then shows up and whips his tail at the pig. Porky chases again, but loses him once more. He tries luring him out again, and the rat pretends to fall for it. But when Porky notices it’s not following him anymore he runs back and crashes into the cat again. This time he remarks that Porky’s brother “eats jellybeans.” Porky wonders how he knows so much about his family. (That’s just one fact though. He got the other one wrong didn’t he?) When Porky does manage to grab the rat, Supreme jumps out of the suit. Porky has killed it! But supreme has stolen all the cash in town. (Which is Porky’s reward. He’s earned it.) Losing the slippery feline again, Porky figures he might as well bring the rats back. Or rather he plays the very specific record that I left for him to find. (Rat stampede to fool cats on the other side of the fence with) Taking the bait, Supreme rushes out to what’s sure to be a feast. Porky pounds him and gets his money. But not before telling the cat that his sister “drives a pickle wagon.”
Personal Rating: 3