Kit for Cat

Friz Freleng's 'Kit for Cat' is a largely forgotten classic. One of my favourite Freleng cartoons, it pits Sylvester against an unnamed orange kitten as they vie for the position of Elmer Fudd's pet. Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce have come up with a corking script filled with unexpected gags as Sylvester tries to make the kitten look bad and only succeeds in incriminating himself. I've always preferred Sylvester's appearances without the comedically draining presence Tweety and 'Kit for Cat' is a perfect example of how hilarious the red-nosed cat is when not forced into the constrictive role of birdnapper. 'Kit for Cat' features Sylvester at his most well rounded. The reactions and expressions he goes through are constantly hilarious (just look at the way his face droops into genuine sadness and resignation when he is caught tampering with Elmer's light) and thus the audience roots for him over the smug kitten despite the extreme lengths he's willing to go to in order to get rid of the little pest. Elmer is also great in this cartoon, playing the good-hearted but stern authority figure to a tee. It all builds to a sensational climax involving a player piano, a murderous radio show and a firearm that keeps changing hands. This is Freleng at the top of his game and those who are willing to write him off as a less interesting director need only look to this stunning sequence for prove to the contrary. The final punchline is also unexpected and an extremely refreshing alternative to the Sylvester-gets-ejected conclusion most people will be expecting. All in all, 'Kit for Cat' is a beautiful example of a director at his very best and is up there with 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' as some of Freleng's best work.

Sylvester the cat is trashcan diving for his dinner when he runs into an little orange kitty trying to take food from the same trashcans. It's extremely cold outside so Sylvester is happy when he's taken in by Elmer Fudd. But here comes that darn orange kitty again and Elmer can only keep one. So it's a battle of wills to see who stays while Elmer sleeps on the dilemma. This cartoon is great and further proves (if any were truly needed) that Sylvester was the TRUE star of his pairings with Tweety bird. As he excels in this solo outing. Plus the kitten makes an excellent foil. This animated short can be found on disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1.

My Grade: A+

Kit for Cat (1948)

**** (out of 4)

An orphan kitten and Sylvester the Cat are brought in by Elmer Fudd on a cold night. He can't keep both of them but says he'll make up his mind in the morning. This gives the cats enough time to try and make the other one look bad. Here's another favorite of mine as we get non-stop laughs from start to finish as well as some great characters. I've always been impressed with what they did with Elmer here and that's making him a rather angry character. I find it downright hysterical when he has his sleep interrupted and runs downstairs ready to fight. The orphan kitten is also very cute and adds a few laughs. Sylvester is the poor guy here as he's constantly trying to do something good but failing miserably.

As a big fan of Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, I naturally wanted to see Kit for Cat after seeing it lauded as one of Freleng's best and most memorable. After seeing it, I agree, while starting off a tad slow, it picks up very quickly right up until the corker of an ending, which is both hilarious and intense. The animation is beautifully done in especially the colours, which are rich and plentiful. The music has a huge amount of energy and fits very well with every scene it features in, the writing and quotes are one big jewel after another and just get better and better and the sight gags are clever(ie. balancing of the falling plates). Sylvester is very well-rounded here, the other feline is a worthy contrast while Elmer while maintaining the dim-witted character that makes him so endearing is also quite kindly. All in all, very, very entertaining. 9/10 Bethany Cox

In this one, Sylvester and a cute little kitten are searching for food in an alley when it starts getting cold. After the big cat kicks out the kitten for invading his territory, he knocks on a house door in an attempt to get in. It's Elmer Fudd at the door! He lets Sylvester in and tells him he can stay as long as he wants. Another knock comes on at that point. It's the cute little kitten! Now Elmer has to make up his mind since he can't keep both. Sylvester gets jealous when Mr. Fudd seems to be really taken with the kitten. So smitten that anything that the big cat tries to frame him with backfires in spades! The rest of the cartoon builds into a crescendo of calamities mostly caused by Sylvester that you have to see to believe. On that note, I highly recommend Kit for Cat. Directed by Friz Freling.