Release Date:

April 11, 1942

Main Character(s):

None

Summary:

An adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book of the same name where a pink elephant named Horton sits on the egg of a sassy and snobby bird named Maisie.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. “Humpty Dumpty” played over the opening credits:

Supervision: Robert Clampett

Story: Michael Maltese

Animation: Bob McKimson

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

In addition, the original title card exists thanks to Clampett himself.

This is the only Warner cartoon to be based off of a children’s book. However, it was not the only time Dr. Seuss had any involvement with the studio. He wrote several cartoons about an inept soldier named Private Snafu that Warner produced for the Army. In addition, Chuck Jones directed several adaptations of Dr. Seuss books after leaving Warner Bros. with the most notable being “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966) and “Horton Hears a Who” (1970).

Not counting the Tex Avery cartoons that he completed after Avery left the studio, this is Clampett’s only time working with Michael Maltese.

This is the longest Warner cartoon as the version with the original titles clocks in at over 10 minutes.

The cartoon’s Vitaphone number (the studio used Vitaphone numbers before they started using the cartoon’s production numbers in mid-1943) is 441 which is the same number for the longest US highway in my state, Georgia (it’s also in Oconee County which is where I live).

What I Like About This One:

When Horton is first introduced, he is singing a nonsensical song called “The Hut-Sut Song” which he keeps saying “and so and so and so forth” (animated by Robert McKimson). He also expresses his irritation of it: “I still can’t get the words to that song!” (animated by Sid Sutherland).

Rod Scribner’s animation of Maisie trying to make herself look sexy to get Horton’s attention.

After Maisie asks Horton if he’d like to sit on her egg (animated by Sutherland), Horton points out the ridiculousness of an elephant sitting on a nest: “Why, of all silly things! I haven’t feathers, and I haven’t wings! Me on your egg, why it doesn’t make sense. Your egg is so small, ma’am, and I’m so immense.” (animated by McKimson)

Maisie having literal “bags” under her eyes (animated by McKimson).

After Horton reluctantly agrees (animated by Scribner), Maisie flies off but then comes back to get her bags and vacation supplies (animated by Virgil Ross).

Having to sit for several days, even through a storm, Horton laments “This isn’t much fun” and is submerged under water up to his trunk (animated by McKimson).

At Palm Beach, Maisie decides she’ll never come back to her nest (definitely one of the worst kinds of a neglectful parent) before adding in a Katharine Hepburn voice, “Really I won’t!” (animated by Scribner).

Throughout the cartoon, Horton says, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful 100%”.

In a snowstorm, Horton sneezes (animated by Rev Chaney) and so does the egg. Horton tells it “Gesundheit” (animated by McKimson).

Horton then muffles his second sneeze by holding his trunk only for him to sneeze a third time. He then angrily ties his trunk in knots to avoid another sneeze (animated by Ross).

Three hunters aim their “elephant gun” straight at Horton’s “heart” but it’s actually aimed at his rear end (animated by Scribner).

Horton firmly telling the hunters that he will not leave the nest. The hunters don’t shoot and decide to take him someplace else (animated by McKimson). Realizing Horton won’t leave the nest, they decide to take both Horton AND the nest (animated by Chaney).

Seeing Horton and the nest on a boat, a Peter Lorre fish says “Well, NOW I’ve seen everything!” and blows his brains out after witnessing the bizarre sight (animated by McKimson).

Despite feeling humiliated when he is now at the circus as an attraction, Horton still remains faithful 100%.

Conveniently, Maisie is flying above the circus and decides to go to it. She comes back up to grab her ice cream cone and again say in a Hepburn voice, “Really I will!” (animated by Ross).

Recognizing Horton after 51 weeks, Maisie demands her egg back after Horton declares “his” egg is hatching. She also blames Horton for stealing it (animated by Scribner).

But since Horton was the one who cared for the egg, a flying baby elephant hatches out of the egg! (animated by McKimson).

In the end, Horton is sent back home as he and his son happily sing “The Hut-Sut Song” (animated by McKimson).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕