Release Date:

January 14, 1939

Main Character(s):

Two Curious Dogs

Summary:

The Two Curious Dogs (a big brown dog and a little white dog) explore a modern house run by technology and run afoul of the various contraptions.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. “Where Has My Little Dog Gone?” played under the opening credits:

Supervision: Charles Jones

Story: Rich Hogan

Animation: Phil Monroe

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

This was the first of six cartoons to feature Jones’ first characters he created: the Two Curious Dogs. They later appeared in “Presto Change-o”, “The Curious Puppy” (both released in 1939), “Stage Fright” (1940), “Snowtime for Comedy” (1941), and “Dog Tired” (1942).

Jones would later use the futuristic home premise in “House Hunting Mice” (1947) when he had already been a master director at that point.

Nearly every piece of technology featured in the cartoon actually exists today.

This is the first cartoon to use the 1939-1940 Merrie Melodies opening theme.

The restored print uses the incorrect ending theme.

“At Your Service Madame” features prominently in the score. This is talked about in the 1989 reference book, “Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons” where it says: “A great score, if ‘At Your Service Madame’ happens to be your favorite song and you like hearing it over and over”.

What I Like About This One:

The brown dog growling at a door that opens and shuts on its own, unaware that he’s the cause of it due to him triggering an electric eye beam that opens the door.

The automatic sweeper (that sweeps up anything that falls on the floor) being tested by a machine intentionally dropping cigar ashes on the floor.

The white dog trying to press the “Automatic Control” button but then the sign for it then flashes, “I wouldn’t touch that, chum”.

When the white dog finally pushes the Automatic Control, the sign flashes, “Ok, buddy. You asked for it”. The wall then comes out like a table. This frightens the white dog so much that he accidentally knocks the brown dog into the sink, where the “Electric Dishwasher” is being tested.

The white dog laughing at the button labeled “Napkin Folder” but carelessly pushes it. He then gets picked up by the ears and is folded like a napkin. When he gets out of the drawer, he runs off and knocks the brown dog into the electric dishwasher again.

The white dog pushing the pedal for the “dog bone dispenser” but the robot sweeper prevents him from having it. He then chases the sweeper in anger. During the chase, the brown dog is knocked onto the sink where he is given yet another clean.

The automatic piano playing “Little Old Fashioned Music Box” with various instruments coming out of it as well as a musical trio singing the song via heads on springs.

The white dog noticing a bone on the floor and picking it up before the sweeper can get to it.

While the sweeper is chasing both dogs, they exit through the garbage disposal. After the white dog knocks the sweeper unconscious, he proudly points to the bone. But then, the brown dog takes it from him and shuts the lid on him, as justice for all the times he was given an accidental clean.

Where Can I Watch It?

On discord (the version on Archive is missing the cartoon’s only line of dialogue so this is the best way to watch it; just scroll to the top of the “1939” channel)

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕