Puss n’ Booty (1943)

Directed by: Frank Tashlin

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

Synopsis: A pampered pussycat named Rudolph takes advantage of the helpless canary birds his owner keeps buying.

Cartoon Cat: Rudolph acts concerned when his owner (voiced by Bea Benaderet) finds her pet canary Dicky Bird missing. She doesn’t seem to notice that Rudolph keeps hiccupping feathers.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking shocked

The cat helps search for the bird, going so far as to look underneath the blotter on the desk and inside an envelope.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking in empty envelope

When the woman mentions that no windows were open, Rudolph quickly opens one and then whistles like a bird. As his owner runs into the room he waves goodbye out of the window and cries, indicating the canary has flown away.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph crying at window

Rudolph is thrilled when his owner calls the pet shop and asks that another canary be delivered.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking guilty

Rudolph waits impatiently for the pet shop delivery.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph waiting hungrily

The approach of a truck brings about a manic expression on the cat’s face.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking crazily hungry
Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking crazily hungry animated gif

Rudolph even tries to help the delivery man find the right address, but he is repeatedly disappointed when it turns out to be another vehicle.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph holding up address from wall

At last the canary arrives and Rudolph stalks the delivery man.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph sneaking after delivery man

The woman is thrilled with her new canary she names Petey. But as soon as she leaves, Rudolph starts for the bird.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph stalking

At first Petey manages to push the cage up out of the way of the pouncing cat. Rudolph then ties the cage down with string (why not just get the bird while trying down the cage?) but Petey opens the doors and Rudolph leaps right through.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph jumping through canary Petey's cage

Repeatedly Petey tries to get at the bird but Petey is more resourceful than he might have thought.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph trying to get at canary Petey in silhouette
Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph looking down at cage

At last Rudolph gets inside Petey’s cage! But the cartoon has a twist ending which is worth watching.

Puss n' Booty - cartoon cat Rudolph inside cage with canary Petey

The premise of this cartoon would later be used in another Looney Tunes short called I Taw a Putty Tat starring Sylvester and Tweety. But there is something about the sheer insanity of this version (the last Warner Bros. cartoon to be produced in black and white) that sets it apart.

Final Mewsings: Women should be smarter when buying canary companions for their cat.

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