Chips Off the Old Block (1942)

Directed by: Robert Allen

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

Synopsis: A tabby cat is surprised when a basketful of kittens which look just like him is dropped on his doorstep.

Cartoon Cats: The title card shows Butch the cat chipped out of wood with four kittens looking at him.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch in wood as kittens look on title card

Butch (voiced by Harry Lang) is sleeping on a chair as the short begins. He is a large orange tabby with one bent ear.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch sleeping on chair

A knock on the door wakes him up.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch sitting up on chair

Going through his cat door (“For Emergency Use Only” reads a sign), Butch is surprised to find a basket full of kittens. He faints and one of the kittens licks him.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch looking into basket with four kittens
Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch peeking through paw at kitten

Butch realizes pretty quickly that the kittens look just like him!

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch looking into reflection at himself and four kittens

Hearing the woman of the house calling him in, Butch attempts to hide the kittens by burying them in the basket. Thankfully the bottom of the basket fell off and the kittens were safe.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch and four kittens leaning against wall

Picking up a flute, Butch lures the kittens out of the yard with a song, but one kitten ventures inside. The others come back in the yard as soon as Butch chases the wayward kitten.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch playing flute to lure kittens away

Inside the house, Butch sees the stray kitten approaching his mistress.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby kitten walking towards woman's legs

He covers the kitten with a pillow and then acts all cutesy when his owner wonders what he is doing.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch lying across pillow on floor in front of woman
Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch lying across pillow and looking cute

He even goes so far as to show her the little heart-shaped mark on his behind.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch showing off heart shaped mark on bottom

The kitten nearly knocks over a vase and Butch grabs it before it can break and places the kitten inside. But he is shocked when the other kittens march into the house.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby kitten knocking over large vase
Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch carrying vase past marching kittens

One kitten gets tangled up in the woman’s crocheting.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby kitten tangled in woman's yarn

Butch also gets that kitten into the vase but manages to unravel his owner’s crocheted work in the process.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch unraveling woman's crochet

After running all around the house gathering the kittens into the vase with the woman chasing right after him, Butch crashes through the front door.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch lying on ground with four kittens

But after all the concern the woman is thrilled with the kittens and she even notes that they look just like Butch.

Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat kittens in woman's arms
Chips Off the Old Block - cartoon tabby cat Butch lying under broken vase

Final Mewsings: It looks like Butch won’t have to worry about being neutered!

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