The aforementioned cat feels he’s being abused by “people” (ie. “America”). He launches himself to the “moon” (ie. “outside of America”), where there’s a different culture that’s odd and scary. He feels more abused there, so he launches himself back to Earth. The trajectory he’s on looks like he’ll land in northern Ontario but his course takes him to New York City.
Now, the cat loves “people” (ie. “America”) even though he continues to be abused the same way as at the start of the cartoon when he hated it. But at least it’s not strange abuse, like in that place with the foreigners. We even get American flags and Scott Bradley playing “America the Beautiful” in the background. “Ah! The good ol’ USA!” shouts the cat, who kisses and hugs the sidewalk as well.
Between this and releasing those propaganda John Sutherland cartoon shorts, MGM no doubt stayed in the good books of HUAC.
Walt Clinton, Grant Simmons, Louie Schmitt and Bill Shull get animation screen credit. Heck Allen wrote the story.
Terrea foimea!
ReplyDeletePEOPLE! They knock you down, walk on ya, step on ya, walk on ya, step on ya, walk on ya, STEP ON YA, and Kick ya!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jimmy Durante imitated for the cat (the largely obscure Harry E.Lang?)
DeleteThis was a terrific analysis. I never really picked up on the xenophobia before.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't know if that was Avery's intention at all. But you read can all kinds of stuff into cartoons.
DeleteThe John Sutherland cartoons, on the other hand, are unapologetic propaganda.
Yes, the Sutherland cartoons were made to scare us from the godless commies.
Delete