larocque492
This is in the very top tier of Looney Tunes cartoons from director Chuck Jones. It feels more cohesive and less abstract than something like Dover Boys, but completely separate from his later, best known work. It was produced in 1945, right as beautiful, fully drawn backgrounds for cartoons were reaching their peak. The animation of the characters is also impressive, and conveys personality much better than most one-shot characters. And as an added bonus, there's actually a great subtext in its unusual subject matter that could apply to any number of subjects, political or social.When forced to interpret the situation of a steak gone from a plate, which owner wouldn't believe the cat was the selfish ingrate and the dog the stalwart champion? It raises some interesting questions about preconceived notions, though I don't believe it was intended to answer them or send any particular message. The last scene in particular gives the impression that there is indeed some serious motive behind the ludicrous story, related somehow to hero worship and public figures not at all turning out to be who they seemed to be. But this is just icing on the cake - even if you don't think about what it means, it's a wonderful cartoon all around.
swestley
This is a hilarious cartoon. It is an anomaly for a Chuck Jones short in that it is mean-spirited to the core...with absolutely no 'justice' served to the protagonist; but like the vast majority of his WB cartoons, the timing is to a T. And if you like the more well-known classic Warner shorts, you will most certainly relish this forgotten gem. At the same time, you'll likely understand why it vanished. This was clearly Jones finding his voice; after directing various 'Disneyish' cartoons like the Sniffles series, Tom Thumb in Trouble, etc (all great by the way), he got a little nasty. Had he not, though, he may never have found his way to the extraordinary ones that were to follow.
terry40601
Yes it is only a cartoon and evidently the previous posters that gave this cartoon a poor review may not have had the misfortune of working with an individual who was as two faced as the dog. I and many others have! This cartoon is so representative of the "luck" of the rat, it's a true classic. I have used snippets of it so many times in my classes and in the proper setting they have ALWAYS got the laughs and the comments they deserved. I believe it was made as an observation of Society and done so with tongue in cheek for our amusement. It's entertainment, and a lesson that not every negative act has a bad ending, it's made for laughs, enjoy and don't waste energy.
luv-kick
...you'll dislike this one. I first saw 'Fresh Airedale' on the compilation 'Canine Corps'. I am an avid fan of Looney Tunes and impressed with their idiosyncratic blend of enjoyment, humor, and cleverness. 'Fresh Airedale' is a gross aberration: unenjoyable and outright difficult to watch. The plot, which is painfully simple, features an unscrupulous, nasty, and greedy dog named 'Shep' getting his own way. That's basically it. His house-mate, a faithful and heroic cat, is framed and left out in the dark. OK, it's just a cartoon, but cartoons are supposed to be fun, and I don't understand what message Chuck Jones was trying to convey. This episode certainly does not seem fit for a compilation.
AD
