Three Little Kittens (bizarre 1933 Van Beuren cartoon classic)

[RMCultOfficial]

where the hell is the mama cat during the entire show??!?!?!

[80srama1]

One of my favourite cartoons, although it has a disturbing edge. One moment it's three kittens frolicking around to bouncy 30's music, then they're in a violent confrontation with a giant rat out of a horror flick. Parents might find the rodent's treatment disgusting, but when I saw the film screened at a public library years ago, the kids were cheering the kitties on, laughing at the rat's demise. It's a cartoon thing, leave it at that.

[dogtransport]

Never realize what's near? (in reference to the opening song)

[ComparativeAnatomy1]

Glad to see this up. The only form I've seen it in is a rare VHS that I own. I heard it was considered "banned", and watching it again I can see why this assumption might be made. There's something disturbing about it, the Mad Doctor-esque saw scene, the brutal way the kittens kill the rat, the damn freaky music, ugh.

[pqribber]

Theramin in the orchestra, too!

[jgbennie]

Foster was at Van Beuren until he went back to Terrytoons.

KK is right; this is a great Rodemich score.

[Lucius1958]

"Sure makes you drop yer doughnuts!"

[krazykat1977]

Original title: Rough On Rats.

This is a classic, a wonderful mix of crude animation, surrealism, and a Gene Rodemich musical score.

[BadNews88]

When I first saw this - on a banned cartoon compilation - I went: "What The Hell? Who directed this? Brian DePalma or Paul Verhoeven?"

Facetious, of course, m8's..But, I'd not be surprised iof THEY feasted their peepers on this during their growing-up years!

Ennyroad, thanx fer the clip, m8's..

[zwerty007]

@BadNews88 Can you give me this banned catoon compilation? I'm interested!

[BadNews88]

@zwerty007 Crikey. It was *many* years ago, m8 ..Early 1990's from a mail order house & it was VHS. I think the title was indeed 'Banned Cartoons'. & the titles I *do* recall on said tape were : Walter Lantz's 'Scrub Me Mamma With A Boogie Beat', 'Little Eva', 'Bugs Bunny : All This And Rabbit Stew', 'Thank You, Masked Man' (This was animated to a Lenny Bruce monologue from the LP of the same name), and of course '3 Little Kittens', amongst many others. The VHS is obviously Out Of Print.

[zwerty007]

@BadNews88 Wow, thanks. I probably won't get the VHS, but I'll definately look at the other ones on the internet. I liked your original post, btw.

[jillem]

Originally Released in 1933 (Estimate).