The Danger of Dog Food

You know how the Claude Cat/Frisky Puppy cartoons work, right? Claude tries to do something, Frisky barks, the barks scare Claude, Claude flies upward, when he drops he lands on his feet because that’s what cats do.

If nothing else, the formula gave director Chuck Jones a chance to do a whole bunch of his poses and expressions. Claude’s a great villain because you always know what he’s thinking.

Terrier Stricken (1952) opens with Claude finishing his food, then eyes Frisky’s full dish. He checks to see if no one will catch him stealing. Just as he’s about to eat—BARK! BARK! BARK! And away Claude goes.

I like how Jones (or maybe Maltese on the storyboard or maybe the artist) turns Claude’s tail into a devilish pitchfork. Some frames:



A pose by Frisky. Jones has the ears moving a little bit (gravity, you know) so the shot isn't static. Follow-through. Just like at Disney.



This is all one scene by one animator. The first cut is to Claude. There are three drawings used in the chattering cycle.



Ken Harris, Lloyd Vaughan and Ben Washam receive the animation credits. If the first scene is by Harris, someone can let me know. Bob Gribbroek contributes some good layouts.