Release Date:

September 27, 1941

Main Character(s):

Sniffles

Summary:

After Sniffles’ car (a wind-up toy) breaks down and a storm arrives, he takes shelter in an old windmill where he befriends a talkative bat named Batty (who strangely looks like a mouse except for the fact that he has wings).

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. An unknown original tune by Carl Stalling played under the opening credits:

Supervision: Charles M. Jones

Story: Rich Hogan

Animation: Rudy Larriva

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

Additionally, a 35mm print with the original titles is rumored to exist. Hopefully, that will be found one day.

This is the last “early Sniffles” cartoon. When Jones would start consistently making fast and funny cartoons the following year, he decided to reinvent Sniffles as a fast-talking blabbermouth who would be seen that way for his last three appearances: “The Unbearable Bear” (1943), “Lost and Foundling” (1944), and “Hush My Mouse” (1946).

This is the last cartoon where Rich Hogan is given a story credit due to him leaving for MGM shortly afterwards. Considering that Jones’ next few cartoons do not have a storyman credited, it’s assumed that Hogan also wrote those cartoons as well.

What I Like About This One:

Sniffles’ rendition of “In a Little Dutch Kindergarten” as he drives through the countryside. Unlike “Tom Thumb in Trouble”, where the song was sung with substitute lyrics, Sniffles sings the actual lyrics here.

Sniffles’ unfazed reaction to his car falling apart: “Something must have gone wrong with it”.

The way Sniffles lights a candle when he enters the dark windmill.

When Batty is first seen, he introduces himself and asks Sniffles if he is a bat. Sniffles replies that he is a mouse and tells him his name. Batty finds it a funny name and asks Sniffles if that actually is his name. Sniffles’ response is “Really and truly. Cross my heart and hope to die”.

Batty then starts to explain that no one can fly as good as him before his expression changes to worry. He then picks Sniffles up and flies him away before a cat can pounce on him.

Sniffles explaining that he’ll be comfortable hanging onto a loose nail but when it falls, he ends up hanging on the wooden support by his feet. Batty asks Sniffles if mice sleep that way since that’s how Batty sleeps.

Then, Sniffles tries to ensure he won’t fall off the support by holding on to it and moving like a worm.

Eventually, the cat reaches up to them but neither Sniffles or Batty notice this until the latter realizes that he’s looking right at him. Batty starts to nervously walk away much to Sniffles’ confusion. Sniffles then realizes the cat is indeed there and finds Batty continuing to nervously walk backwards and giving an excuse that he has an important appointment at the dentist. Sniffles tries to tell the cat that he also has an important engagement but the cat isn’t convinced (his expression basically reads, “Yeah, right. You’re just trying to get away.”) and begins to move the board Sniffles is on towards his mouth. Batty witnesses this, grabs Sniffles, and flies him to safety.

The cat then forgets where he is and falls off the support into a lantern!

The cartoon ends with Batty asking Sniffles as to how the cat got up to where they were to which Sniffles gives a look to the audience as if to say, “Here we go again!”

Where Can I Watch It?

At toontales.net!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕 ½