Release Date:

May 6, 1939

Main Character(s):

None

Summary:

A hilarious parody of “Angels with Dirty Faces” with bulldog “Killer Diller” and his gang going on a crime spree and officer “Flat Foot Flanigan” being determined to apprehend him.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” played under the opening titles. Additionally, the original title card has been found, albeit in poor quality. The credits were:

Supervision: Fred Avery

Story: Jack Miller

Animation: Sid Sutherland

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

“Angels with Dirty Faces” would famously be spoofed later on as “Angels with Filthy Souls” in one of the greatest Christmas comedies of all time, “Home Alone” (1990).

The ending gag would be reused in an episode of “The Simpsons”.

What I Like About This One:

The opening introduction to the characters: “F.H.A (Sherlock) Homes as Flat Foot Flanigan with a Floy Floy” and “Ed G. Robemsome as Killer Diller”.

Killer Diller and his gang robbing all of the national banks by number but skipping the 13th National Bank because Diller is superstitious.

Diller’s gang skidding to a stop so hard that they turn their car inside out.

Diller and his gang having robbed a total of 87 banks in a single day.

Diller robbing the Worst National Bank by pulling on the alarm for the Fire Department like a pinball machine.

In his office, Flanigan acts like he’s grilling a suspect (“I’m gonna pin it on ya!”) but he’s actually playing “pin the tail on the donkey”. He then trips over a bucket causing himself to get pinned!

Flanigan’s cigarette remaining in mid-air when he’s pacing back and forth.

When an agent talks to Flanigan on the phone about Diller’s whereabouts, Flanigan leans toward him across the split-screen to tell him he can’t hear him. Then, for a brief second, the newspaper shows Diller has robbed the 112th National Bank.

Diller realizing he sounds a lot like Edward G. Robinson and showing off to the audience. He also attempts a Fred Allen imitation.

When the gang robs another bank the next day, there is a parking spot labeled “Reserved for Gangsters”.

Diller’s guns remaining in mid-air when he takes money from the cashier.

The bank teller saying in singsong that he’s “going to tell” before another gangster clubs him on the head, and he continues saying “I’m going to tell” in a singsong voice while vibrating (animated by Virgil Ross).

Flanigan being heard saying “Take that, you rat!” where’s he’s actually feeding a rat pieces of cheese.

When Diller and his gang rob another “Worst National Bank”, a guy working there wipes away the assets which are now down to 2 dollars. Noticing this, Diller robs the last 2 dollars.

Diller robbing the operator through the phone.

Flanigan being informed of the next robbery by a guy in the audience who’s seen this cartoon twice before. Flanigan thanks him, and leaves, before opening the door to add, “You little tattletale”.

Diller instructing everyone’s shadows to stay behind as there’s too many of them.

Diller and his gang being caught when they mistake a radio dial for a safe. They actually sit down to enjoy the Lone Ranger program that’s on!

Diller getting a “long sentence”: writing “I’ve been a naughty boy” on a blackboard 100 times. He then sticks his tongue out at the audience when the cartoon irises out.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕