A Tale of Two Kitties

A takeoff on Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, famous comedians of the classic era, we have two cats: "Babbit" and "Catstello" just trying to survive and find food, like climbing a very tall tree for a bird snack, if they can get it. That little bird turns out to be "Tweety," the little yellow (later on) canary making his Looney Tunes debut.

Actually, more than half of this cartoon features Tedd Pierce and Mel Blanc imitating the two comedians. They are far more scenes than the little bird but the best scenes are the ones with the little bird high up in his nest. Tweety is naked - no feathers. It's kind of weird, being skin color all over. It's like he's just a tiny baby that has been recently hatched. Anyway, he won't put up with a cat trying to get him - this is one strong little "boid."

"Catstello" can get a little too loud and abrasive (Blan was never subtle with his voices!) but otherwise this was a fun cartoon and interesting Tweety's start in animated films.

I thought the best thing about the cartoon was the direction by Bob Clampett. There are some great "camera" angles in here and it's drawn cleverly in many spots.

As the two cats struggle to retrieve Tweety from the nest high in a tree, each ploy is designed by Babbit and carried out by his dupe, Catstello. At one point Tweety says his characteristic "I tawt I taw a puddie tat!" This is possibly the first time he used the legendary line. But in this episode it is not joined by the response, "I did! I taw a puddie tat!"

This is one of the better Warner Bros. cartoons of the era ('42), with two cats patterned after Abbott and Costello (Babbitt and Catstello), with Abbott trying to get Costello to pry a teeny bird (who turns out to be Tweety Bird), out of his nest.

The gimmicks Abbott uses to get Costello launched into space are hilarious, each one more clever than the one before. This leaves little time to devote to Tweety Bird, but this is Tweety's first film and he doesn't look quite like the finished product that he became several cartoons later.

The usual high standard of animation is present, along with the character voices supplied by Mel Blanc (Catstello and Tweety) and Tedd Pierce (Babbit).

A Tale of Two Kitties (1942)

*** (out of 4)

Babbit and Catstello are two cats who are hungry and find their chance at food in the small bird Tweety. What they don't know is that Tweety is a rather smart fellow who has enough fight in him to defend himself.

I must admit that I was a little shocked to see how much of a wink to Abbott and Costello this Warner short was. The fact that it was a homage wasn't too uncommon but it's rather strange that Warner would pay so much respect to a comedy group that wasn't with them. With that said, the introduction to Tweety was certainly a winner and it's easy to see why he'd eventually have his own series. The Catstello cat was actually a great copy of Costello and I especially loved that child-like nature that they gave him. I thought the studio did a terrific job at making this cat just like the real Lou Costello and it certainly added a lot of fun. There's even a very fun joke aimed at the Hayes Office.

At 17, I still enjoy Looney Tunes, and a Tale of Two Kitties is no exception. It is not a favourite by all means, but it is fun to watch and a funny takeoff of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. With the exception of an odd-looking Tweety (as if he had just hatched), the animation is fine. The backgrounds are nice in particular and the camera angles are clever. The music is very good, and the humour is all intact and well timed. I particularly loved the "this little piggy went to market" bit, reminded me of Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

The voice acting is commendable. While Mel Blanc slightly overdoes it as Catstello, he does a stellar job as Tweety, who is just as sweet, funny and likable as he is now. Strictly speaking, he is quite bad ass as well. Plus Ted Pierce does well as Babbit in a good grouchy straight talking impression. All in all, it is a lot of fun, not the best Looney Tunes cartoon, but recommended. 8/10 Bethany Cox