by Linda Kay

Directed by: Robert Clampett

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

Synopsis: Made during World War II, this cartoon focuses on various farm animals and their reactions to the war effort and blackouts in particular.

Cartoon Cat: An aged cat introduced as Old Tom nods when the narrator (Mel Blanc) says that he’s been around for the last three wars and knows this one will turn out all right, too.

A small woodpecker starts pecking at a nearby tree which aggravates the cat.

The woodpecker hops over to the cat and contemplates doing something that will get him a whipping. He finally decides, “I dood it!” and starts pecking Tom’s tail. Tom yowls and leaps up then lands, angrily drumming his fingers.

Later in the short we hear the woodpecker pecking again and Tom yowling with the woodpecker running into frame and shouting, “I dood it again!” Near the end of the short the pecking and yowl repeats again but this time Tom leaps into the frame, indicating his mouth, and shouts, “I dood it!”

The woodpecker starts pecking Tom’s stomach from within. The phrase “I dood it!” was a popular catchphrase of comedian Red Skelton and his character Junior the Mean Widdle Kid.

Final Mewsings: Cats don’t tolerate woodpeckers who steal catchphrases from comedians.

Relevant Links:

To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and X.