"A Mickey Mouse Cartoon"

Release Date October 3, 1941

Synopsis

Pluto's conscience becomes the battleground when he saves a small kitten from drowning and then has second thoughts when Mickey welcomes it into his home.

Characters

Mickey Mouse

Pluto

Pluto's Angel

Pluto's Devil

Bianca

Credits

Director : Clyde Geronomi

Animation : Norman Tate

Awards

Academy Award winner (Short Subjects - Cartoons)

Videos

United States

Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Cartoon Collections Volume 3

The Spirit of Mickey

Oliver and Company

Germany

Mickys Größte Hits

Meister-Cartoons von Walt Disney

Pluto Räumt Auf

Italy

I Capolavori di Walt Disney

Cani e Simpatia

France

Les Chefs-d'Oeuvre de Walt Disney

Laserdiscs

United States

Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Cartoon Collections 3

The Sprit of Mickey

Japan

Mickey's Greatest Hits

Academy Award Shorts

The Academy Award Review of Walt Disney Cartoons

DVD

United States

Oliver and Company

Disney Treasures : The Complete Pluto Volume 1

Cartoon Classics Favorites : Holiday Celebration with Mickey and Pals

Television

Donald's Quack Attack : Episode 15

Mickey's Mouse Tracks : Episode 67

Comments

This short was a remake of the 1933 short, "Mickey's Pal Pluto."

A blurb on the bottom of the title screen says "This picture is dedicated to The Tailwagger Foundation in recognition of it's work in lending a paw to man's animal friends."

From Ryan : While I prefer it's earlier version "Mickey's Pal Pluto," I still like this short. This time instead of several kittens, there is only one. Unlike the original black and white cartoon, Minnie does not appear in this short.

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.

Referenced Comments

Figaro and Frankie (1947)

I have seen "Lend a Paw" and would like to
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