by Linda Kay
Directed by: Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Willie (Mickey Mouse) is harassed while working on a steamboat piloted by his tough boss (Pete the Cat) but still finds time to play a tune with his girlfriend (Minnie).
Cartoon Cats: When the short opens Willie is happily piloting the boat singing the now iconic song. Pete shows up and angrily pulls Willie away, stretching out the mouse’s body.
Pete yells at Willie to get back to his usual work. Willie blows a raspberry before beating a hasty retreat.
Pete bites off a plug of tobacco and chews it before spitting. The spit gets caught in the wind and chimes the bell behind Pete, much to his amusement. But when he tries it again the spit hits him in the face instead.
As Willie plays a song with Minnie, a black cat wanders by.
Willie cruelly pulls on the cat’s tail to make him perform part of the song.
He then picks up the cat by the tail and swings him around.
Pete catches Willie goofing off (but not abusing the cat, thank goodness!) and orders him to peel potatoes.
Final Mewsings: Willie should have been thrown in the brig for cat abuse!
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