Sinatra Kills Me

Tex Avery marries the old “skunks always smell in cartoons” idea with the gag about Frank Sinatra being incredibly thin but attracting bobby soxers in Little 'Tinker, a 1948 MGM release.

There’s a scene where an old woman rabbit goes youthful and nuts for Frankie, finally leaping into the air and crashing into ground. A falling tombstone ends the scene.



Jokes about a scrawny Sinatra abounded on comedy/variety shows on radio, even during his guest appearances. One routine in 1950 had Jack Benny ask him what he had for lunch. “A raisin,” replied Sinatra, adding “Boy, am I stuffed!”

Animation in this cartoon is by Bill Shull, Walt Clinton, Grant Simmons and Bob Bentley. No writer is credited.