The Cat Came Back (1936 film)

For the Cordell Barker short, see The Cat Came Back (1988 film).
The Cat Came Back
Merrie Melodies series
Directed by I. Freleng
Produced by Leon Schlesinger
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) February 8, 1936
Color process Technicolor
Running time 8 min (one reel)
Language English

The Cat Came Back is a 1936 Merrie Melodies cartoon short directed by Friz Freleng. It is the final Warner Bros. cartoon to be produced in two-strip Technicolor, although it was finally shot in the 3-strip process (evident by the presence of blue hues). The previous Merrie Melodies cartoon, I Wanna Play House, was the second to be produced in three-strip Technicolor, whom Walt Disney had exclusive rights for the three-strip Technicolor process until 1935.

Plot

A curious kitten leaves her family to play with an equally curious little mouse from across the hall, despite both being told by their mothers how bad the other's family is. Mama Mouse warns her kids to stay away from cats, while Mama Cat tells her kids to attack all mice. The kitten and mouse sneak out of their lessons and listen to some records together as an excuse to get in some hot 1930s tunes and dance around. While dancing, they accidentally fall down a drain into the sewer. The little kitten is saved by the little mouse. The two mothers get together to rejoice, but old feuds are not so easily forgotten, and the cat and mice families start to fight again.

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