Speedy Gonzales

Despite the title, this is Speedy Gonzales' SECOND appearance, after Robert McKimson's Cat-Tails for Two. This is, however, his first time in the costume and design we know him from. In this short, after another mouse gets done for in trying to get cheese past the guard-Sylvester, Speedy accepts the challenge. The red-nosed cat is ready for the "fastest mouse in all Mexico" but gets defeated at every turn. This Oscar-winning cartoon from Friz Freleng gives us another classic Warner Bros. character that lasts for decades despite some PC controversy that almost got Speedy gone for good. Turns out many Hispanics consider Mr. Gonzales a hero for his exploits and don't find anything offensive about him. I certainly don't and I never understood why anyone would either. Anyway, while I don't consider this a great cartoon, it's certainly another highly enjoyable outing from Mr. Freleng.

The native mice of Mexico want some American cheese, but Sylvester the cat is guarding the border. After a few disastrous attempts to get at it. They send for Speedy Gonzales to get pass this gringo pussycat. The second appearance of Speedy is a classic and cemented yet another great character in the already impressive array of Looney stars. Don't listen to the mind-stealing PC police, Speedy is funny. This Oscar-winning animated short can be found on disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 and features an optional music only track as well as a commentary by Jerry Beck.

My Grade: A

Speedy Gonzales (1955)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

A group of Mexican mice are having trouble breaking into a cheese factory because none of them are faster than the guard, Sylvester the cat. With nothing left to do they hire Speedy Gonzales to steal some of the cheese. I might take a beating for this but I've never been a fan of Speedy and I might go even further as to call him my least favorite of all the popular animated stars no matter what studio they're from. I've always found him to be all one-joke but there are a couple good moments here. Having Sylvester in the mix brings a few laughs as he will stop at nothing to try and catch Speedy but of course we know he's going to fail. The stereotypes of Mexicans has been discussed to death so I'll just jump over that.

Everyone knows that rodents are very quick. When is the last time that you were able to imprison a mouse, mole, rat or vole in you bare hand, let alone a chipmunk or squirrel? Cats are not much more proficient in corralling mice and rats than the average human being. Most mammals the overrated feline phalanx of so-called "mousers" actually bring down dead to rights already have a paw or three in their grave. Unfortunately for Humanity, most cats insist upon dragging these questionable kills back home with them. Bubonic Plague and most other major maladies of History have resulted from such unsanitary habits. That's why it is a good thing that SPEEDY GONZALES demonstrates exactly why cats are NOT a "better mousetrap."

Speedy Gonzales is another one of my favorite Looney Tunes characters, along with Bugs Bunny, Pepe le Pew, Tweety, and the lesser-known Hubie and Bertie. This award-winning short is one of my favorites out of Speedy's filmography. Just because I gave it a 9 out of 10 rating doesn't mean it can still be a favorite. This short marks Speedy's second screen appearance, following his debut in a 1953 Bob McKimson cartoon titled "Cat-Tails for Two." But of course, he didn't look the way we know him now.

The sight of Sylvester defending the cheese factory while on all fours amuses me greatly. I also love the pseudo-Spanish conversation between Speedy and the mouse villager.