Dick Whittington′s Cat
About
Dick Whittington is a young boy who works for a cruel cook. As Dick is cutting potatoes (by sliding them through an electric fan), a hungry cat rubs itself against the boy′s legs. Dick feeds him a saucer of milk, but the angry cook throws the cat into a bag and commands the boy to throw the poor animal into the river. Dick can′t bring himself to do it. The cat ends up on a ship headed to a faraway land that happens to be infested with rats. Now, Dick Whittington′s cat has the chance to make good. however, his natural cowardice may get the better of him.
Story
Directed by Ub Iwerks and released in 1936, this animated short is part of the ComiColor series. Ub Iwerks, a notable figure in animation history, worked closely with Walt Disney in the early days of animation and was a co-creator of iconic characters like Mickey Mouse. After departing from Disney, Iwerks established his own studio where he continued to innovate and create memorable animated shorts. The ComiColor series, produced by Iwerks, is known for its pioneering use of color in animations during the early 20th century.The storyline retells the British folktale of Dick Whittington and his cat, which is set in London. According to the folktale, Dick Whittington travels to London seeking fortune and makes his way as an apprentice before succeeding and eventually becoming the Lord Mayor of London. His cat helps rid a ship of rats, earning him a reward and a rise in status. The animated short likely distills this story into a whimsical and colorful retelling suited for audiences of the 1930s.Iwerks’ work on this animated short is characterized by his innovative techniques and distinctive animation style. While the voice actors behind the characters in this particular short are not well-documented, the animation itself carries the hallmark of the quality and creativity that Iwerks brought to his projects. His contributions to the field of animation have had a lasting impact, with his pioneering efforts in both character creation and technical aspects of animation being widely recognized and influential in the industry.
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