Release Date:

July 20, 1940

Main Character(s):

Sniffles, Bookworm

Summary:

After reading a book on egg collecting, Sniffles goes on a hunt for the egg of a barn owl (which mostly feeds on small rodents, which Sniffles assumes is a type of flower) with the Bookworm joining him. However, both end up accidentally annoying Papa Owl and Sniffles realizes the danger he’s put himself into when he realizes a rodent is a mouse.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. Schubert’s “Rosamunde” played over the opening credits:

Supervision: Charles Jones

Story: Robert Givens

Animation: Rudolph Larriva

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

Additionally, a 35mm print with the original titles has been rumored to exist. Hopefully, that will turn up at some point for the entire world to see.

This is the second cartoon with the Bookworm.

Papa Owl and his son return from “Little Brother Rat”. In addition, both cartoons have the same plot involving Sniffles attempting to steal an owl’s egg.

The synopsis for this cartoon in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons contains a hilarious grammar error when talking about the scene where Papa Owl talks about what he also eats after Sniffles realizes the truth about him being a rodent. Papa Owl actually says, “I also eat worms” while the book mentions him saying, “Owls also eats worms”.

This is the first cartoon to give an animation credit to Rudy Larriva.

This is the first cartoon where Sniffles wears a green shirt instead of a red one. He would wear this outfit for the rest of his appearances.

What I Like About This One:

The Bookworm continuing to respond with only nods or head shakes.

Sniffles struggling to pronounce “etc.”

Sniffles assuming a rodent is a flower.

When the Bookworm realizes how high they’ve climbed on the rope up to the church loft, he runs fast and clings on to Sniffles, who tells him off for being scared.

The Bookworm ends up disobeying Sniffles’ instructions for them to split up as the Bookworm follows Sniffles by going backwards.

Sniffles only making off with half the owl egg’s shell and realizing this when the baby owl pops out of the other half left in the nest.

Meanwhile, the Bookworm is continuing to go backwards before he stops at what is revealed to be Papa Owl. The Bookworm then pulls out two of Papa Owl’s feathers to which Papa Owl silently winces. Realizing what he’s gotten himself into, the Bookworm heavily sweats in fear before making a futile attempt to put one of the feathers back.

After Sniffles manages to get the whole egg with the baby owl still inside, he finds the still terrified Bookworm and brags to him about how he “took it right out from under the nose of that stupid old owl”. Papa Owl questions him, “Stupid old owl?” Thinking it was the Bookworm who asked him that, Sniffles boldly continues, “Yeah, a big fat stupid old dumb nincompoop, that’s what he is.” Sniffles then makes a realization as he realizes the Bookworm can’t talk and is scared to find out that he directly insulted Papa Owl. This conversation follows: “A big fat stupid dumb nincompoop, eh? That’s a nice, healthy way for a rodent to talk.” “A r-rodent? Y-you mean I’m a rodent?” “What do you think you are, sonny? A cow?” “And owls eat rodents.” “That’s right. I also eat worms”. The Bookworm passes out a second time after hearing that last line.

The baby owl inadvertently saves both Sniffles and the Bookworm before Papa Owl is about to attack. As Papa Owl is being affectionate with his son, this gives Sniffles enough time to drag the Bookworm all the way back to the safety of the bookshop (although they run out very fast when Papa Owl realizes they’re no longer there).

When the Bookworm regains consciousness, the first thing he sees is an image of Papa Owl in the egg collecting book. He bumps into Sniffles when attempting to flee causing Sniffles’ hat and the Bookworm’s glasses to fall off. When Sniffles realizes the Bookworm got scared over a picture, he gives him an annoyed look before the Bookworm’s glasses land on Sniffles while Sniffles’ hat lands on the Bookworm. They then smile at each other when realizing they’re wearing each other’s accessories.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕