Release Date:

December 2, 1939

Main Character(s):

Sniffles, Bookworm

Summary:

Sniffles is asleep in a bookshop on a snowy day where he meets a bookworm, who initially mistakes Sniffles for a monster and summons his friends, the Pied Piper and a Viking to help him. When they all realize it’s only a harmless little mouse, the books all come to life and perform a jam session until Frankenstein’s monster shows up. Sniffles earns the bookworm’s friendship after saving him from the monster.

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: Rich Hogan

Animation: Bob McKimson

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

Additionally, a 35mm print with the original titles was known to exist. Hopefully, that will get revealed to the public one day.

The Bookworm (who never speaks a word) would appear in two more cartoons with Sniffles: “The Egg Collector” (1940) and “Toy Trouble” (1941).

In publicity material, the Viking’s name is revealed to be Eric.

Sniffles only has one line of dialogue in the cartoon which is when he yells, “STOP!” when Frankenstein’s monster is about to attack the Bookworm.

A few staff members’ last names appear on the books. These include background artist Art Loomer, as well as Chuck Jones, Leon Schlesinger, and Henry Binder, one of Schlesinger’s assistants.

This is the only time Jones ever attempted a books come to life after closing hours cartoon.

A set of volumes on Porky Pig are seen at one point.

The blackbirds that come out of the pie during the “Sing a Song of Sixpence” segment slightly resemble Daffy.

What I Like About This One:

The music that plays at the start of the cartoon.

The Pied Piper’s “Yeah?” ‘s when the Bookworm over exaggerates Sniffles’ height (since Sniffles is taller than the Bookworm).

When the Pied Piper goes off to confront the “monster”, he asks the Bookworm again about his height. When he realizes the Bookworm apparently means he’s taller than the Pied Piper, he goes off to summon the Viking’s help.

The three going off together to deal with the “monster”, with the Viking shushing the Pied Piper, the Pied Piper shushing the Bookworm (the expression on the Bookworm’s face when he looks up at the Pied Piper is unintentionally hilarious), and the Bookworm shushing Sniffles, who is following them. The Bookworm does a double take when he realizes who he just shushed and runs off.

The Pied Piper and the Viking getting annoyed at the Bookworm for being scared of an innocent little mouse and dragging them into a pointless hunt (their expressions basically read, “He’s taller than YOU, but not US”), but they’re more relieved than mad as the Pied Piper pulls out a clarinet ( and gives an extra one to Sniffles) and they all perform “Mutiny in the Nursery” with the other book characters.

The Bookworm getting annoyed when a trio loudly sing “Grab yourself a partner” behind his back and startle him.

When Frankenstein’s monster is about to attack the helpless Bookworm, Sniffles yells, “STOP!” before covering his mouth in fear. The monster decides to ignore the Bookworm and go after Sniffles instead. Sniffles hides behind some books and gets rid of the monster by tripping him.

Tired out from his heroic deed, Sniffles goes back to where he was sleeping at the start of the cartoon. The Bookworm pops out of the book again and gives Sniffles a “Thank you” kiss. When the Bookworm disappears and again drops his glasses, Sniffles gives a smile as the cartoon ends (animated by Robert McKimson).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕