From Candy : Disney made more than one cartoon
with the angel-and-devil-on-your-shoulder scenario. Donald and Figaro also
had this scenario in their cartoons. But I think that Lend A Paw was the
best one of its kind. And somebody else thought it was good because they
gave it the Oscar for Best Cartoon of 1941. I've always liked the angel-vs.
devil scenario. I think that Disney might have been the first cartoon producer
who depicted that kind of thing. After he did it with Pluto and Donald, all
the other cartoon studios started doing it.
I like this cartoon because it really draws you into the story. The storymen
were able to make the audience experience Pluto's feelings. They used music
and color to enhance the story. When Pluto falls in a well of freezing water,
he turns a cold blue color. Pluto becomes jealous of the kitten he has saved,
and a devil springs from his head, and he is colored green to symbolize jealousy.
When the devil is confronted by Pluto's angel he turns yellow to symbolize
cowardice. In another part of the cartoon, Pluto tries to get the kitten
in trouble by making it look like he has been bothering the goldfish. Mickey
comes in and tries to figure out who's to blame. He stares at the kitten
and then at Pluto, with one eyebrow raised in an intense look. This was a
caricature of Walt Disney's famous expression. When he was mad at someone
or was concentrating intently on something, he would get this intense look
on his face. If he looked at you that way it sometimes meant that you were
in trouble. Many Disney characters gave that same look when they were mad.
At this point in the cartoon, Mickey asks the goldfish "Who done it?" and
the fish tells on Pluto. Pluto looks up in fear, sweating. He's afraid of
what Mickey will do. In the next scene, Pluto is shown getting thrown out
of the house by Mickey. This scene was funny because it played on the emotions
of the audience. Almost everyone can relate to this situation...being mean
to a brother or sister, trying to cover it up, and being afraid of getting
caught. This cartoon was great because it drew the audience into the story
in a personal way.
From Baruch Weiss : Here is another short
that is released as "A Walt Disney Micky Mouse"and yet Pluto's theme played
over it I guess that was because Mickey was in the film but it was Pluto
that stole the show like in the sequence where the devil says "Hey stupid!
Scram!"and then a lamp shade falls on his head thereby making him look
like an indian.
From Betsy : This one has always been one
of my favorites not just because Mickey and Pluto are in it (my top 2 fave
Disney characters) but because of the message that it sends..its so true
no matter the era or situation and a GREAT moral for young and old alike.
From Grace : This is one of my favorite Mickey Mouse cartoons. Its pretty much of what Candy says and I agree of what she meant. By watching this short almost everybody can relate to the situation, like getting back at somebody, trying to solve the problem, and admit the innocent person that he, or she didn't do. This is a great example of thinking of others, knowing what's right and wrong to do, and more likely sharing your feelings. Like again of what Candy said about Mickey getting mad, she's right that many Disney characters did share that mad temper look when they were mad at something. This is an interesting cartoon.I highly recommend it and it really teaches us a lesson about friendship.
From Billy Joe : Lend a Paw is remake of
"Mickey's Pal Pluto," but there's only one kitten and there's no Minnie Mouse. Despite of Mickey ignoring Pluto, this is an entertaining short. Pluto and his angel and devil gives us laughs. Pluto did a good job rescuing the kitten as well. This short gets a perfect 10.
From Bryan Hensley : This short had some tough competition at the Oscars with the shorts it was up against; from MGM, Warner Bros., Paramount, and even Universal. No matter which of those shorts won the best short subject award from 1941, they all would've been great winners. But still, "Lend A Paw" beat them all, and thank goodness it did! I grew up watching Disney shorts throughout my life, and have built a huge collection of them, especially on DVD, and still growing. With the help of my family as well. "Lend A Paw"'s the first Mickey short of three to have Pluto's theme music, as far as I know. The other two are "Squatter's Rights" and "Mickey Down Under." This short has been on DVD at least 5 times as of May 2009... is that a new record for DVDs? (Two of them I already have; The Fox and The Hound 25th Anniversary Edition and volume 8 of Disney's Classic Cartoon Favorites collection!) Even though it's not really a Christmas short as it is on the second disc I mentioned, it's still a great one! By the way, have you noticed that some of the time Pluto's angel was around, he spoke in rhyme? I hope all of you enjoy this Oscar winner yourselves!
