Pizzicato Pussycat

Friz Freleng's 'Pizzicato Pussycat' is an extremely unusual but thoroughly delightful little tale. Featuring extremely stylised drawings and animation (occasionally boarding on childlike in its simplicity) and two rather uncharismatic lead characters, the cartoon overcomes these potentially detrimental elements with extremely fine storytelling of a simple but effective anecdote. The pleasant, storybook pacing is perfectly complimented by the angular illustrations and the script trims away the fat to leave just the important plot points, making for a constantly engaging experience. 'Pizzicato Pussycat' is best the first time you see it and it isn't a cartoon I'd return to regularly but every so often the fancy takes me and I always enjoy its simple charms. Almost ten years later, Robert McKimson would attempt a similarly picture-book inspired short called 'Bartholomew Versus the Wheel', which went a bit too far into the kiddie-esquire stylisation but, with 'Pizzicato Pussycat', Freleng pitches it just about right.

This cartoon isn't particularly special or terribly novel (various aspects of it and its general theme have been explored before and since-often to better effect), but it is a cute cartoon. The music throughout, but especially at the end, is particularly enjoyable. Worth seeing, even if its been done better.

In one of a few instances in which a cat and mouse are forced into an alliance, a cat tries to use a mouse's musical talent to make himself look like a virtuoso. I guess that overall, there's nothing particularly special about "Pizzicato Pussycat", although it's a good opportunity to hear some classical music (the Looney Tunes cartoons certainly had a way with classical music, as "A Corny Concerto", "Rhapsody Rabbit", "Long-Haired Hare", "The Rabbit of Seville", "What's Opera, Doc" and "High Note" all showed). Worth seeing, if only once.

I wonder what they meant by "Pizzicato". The only know Pizzicato that I know is a pizzeria.

Pizzicato Pussycat won't go down as one of the greats, but at the same time don't expect that, expect for some good entertainment for 6-8 minutes or so and you'll find much to enjoy with Pizzicato Pussycat. The story is kept simply which is good and has good energy, there is very little new though and things can feel on the routine side. The animation is great though, very clever stylised drawing and the vibrant colours just pop out at you. There are also some funny gags that keep things to the point and never into too-much-irrelevant-filler territory, the climax is particularly entertaining. The characters are likable and sweet in their own way and while not especially memorable carry Pizzicato Pussycat nicely. The voice acting as always is solid as rocks, and what there is of the dialogue is good. But it's the music here that stands out, the jazzy style works so well for the cartoon and it's beautifully orchestrated and most importantly it's music that you won't forget in the long run. And of course, it synchronises so well with the action and the gags as well as with how the characters are feeling, something that Freleng always did excel at doing and better than most as well. All in all, a routine idea but done to clever and entertaining effect. Not a favourite, but worth a visit and even a couple of re-visits too. 8/10 Bethany Cox