Shock the Cat

You get electricity zapped through you every time you pick up the end of a power cord, right? You do if you’re in a Columbia cartoon.



Here’s the Screen Gems version of the gag from Big House Blues, released in 1947. The mouths change shape so the shot isn’t static.



The animation is generally good in the late Columbia cartoons. Grant Simmons and Jay Sarbry get the animation credits. Animator Roy Jenkins came up with the story. Directed by Howard Swift. Bill Weaver was the layout guy on the Rhapsodies when this cartoon was made.

Eddie Kilfeather’s music during the chase scenes has no urgency. It’s finger-snappin,’ toodle-looin’ happy. And it’s arranged for maybe seven pieces. There’s no full Warners or MGM orchestra at Screen Gems.

This is the last Flippy the canary cartoon. In fact, the cartoon studio had been closed for good when this came out.