Hollywood Capers (1935)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Jack King

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Beans the Cat sneaks into a movie studio and causes trouble, not the least of which is bringing Frankenstein’s monster to life.

Cartoon Cats: Beans was prominently featured in the opening placards for this early Looney Tunes short, as well as his female counterpart Little Kitty, Oliver Owl and Porky Pig.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes placard featuring Little Kitty, Beans, Oliver Owl and Porky Pig
Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes placard with Beans the Cat

Beans (voiced by Tommy Bond) drives to the studio in a bucking, backfiring car.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans driving car and being thrown up out of seat

Once at the studio gates, Beans introduces himself to the guard as “one of the Boston Beans.”

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans with studio guard

The guard is unimpressed and pushes the car away so that it rolls up a tree and explodes.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans hanging from tree with car parts

Beans eventually manages to gain access to the studio by means of an Oliver Hardy balloon disguise.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans sneaking into studio with Oliver Hardy balloon disguise

Entering a soundstage, Beans witnesses a scene being filmed by director Oliver Owl of Little Kitty (voiced by Bernice Hansen) singing a song.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Little Kitty singing on set

As part of the scene Little Kitty is accosted by a masher.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Little Kitty being approached by masher

Beans falls from the catwalk above the stage into the arms of the surprised actor.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans falling into arms of dog actor

Thrown off the set by Oliver, Beans is startled to find Frankenstein’s monster on a table under a cloth. Beans accidentally falls against a power switch and brings the mostly metal monster to life.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans startled by Frankenstein's monster

Miss Kitty is startled to see the monster approaching.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Little Kitty looking scared

Beans tries to subdue the creature by wrapping a metal pole around him . . .

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans wrapping steel pole around Frankenstein's monster

. . . but the monster just breaks the bonds.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans looking innocent as Frankenstein's monster breaks free

Finally Beans is able to use a large studio fan to chop the beast to bits.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans using large fan to chop up Frankenstein's monster

Beans also delivers the final “That’s All Folks!” that would later be given to Porky Pig.

Hollywood Capers - Looney Tunes cartoon black cat Beans saying That's All Folks

Final Mewsings: Too bad they didn’t costar two Looney Tunes characters more often and make a “Porky and Beans” series.

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