It's So Nice to Have a Wolf Around the House

This short, a nominee for the Academy Award, was adapted from a story by Harry Allard, a children's author. Meant primarily for children, like all good animation, it can be viewed with enjoyment by adults as well. The title tells the basic story and this cute and charming short is well worth seeking out. Recommended.

Considering that this short was made in 1979 (a period in which quality animation had disappeared and crap animation was the norm), the fact that the animation quality isn't so hot isn't such a serious problem. Compared to the rest of the films being made then, this one stacks up reasonably well. However, when it comes to the cute story, here is where this short film really stands out--and you can certainly understand why this was nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar.

Unlike many animated shorts, this one isn't quite so short and it tells a rather lengthy tale. When it begins, you find an old man in a house with a very old dog, and even older cat and an older still fish. All are half asleep and have very little zest--until a dog wanders into their lives. Well, the dog looks like a wolf and sounds like a wolf, but he turns out to make a wonderful companion. There's much more to the cute story than that--you'll just have to get a copy and find out for yourself where the tale goes next.

I will not issue any spoilers. The charm of this film is the situation we are presented with. It begins with people and pets so fixated on their age, they have ceased doing anything at all--even daily household things. When they advertise for a companion, a wolf named Cuthbert shows up. It's a fascinating example of what kindness can do.

Paul Fierlinger has passed away a few days ago.

Better knew for his Sesame Street segment Teeny Little Super Guy, It's So Nice to Have a Wolf Around the House earned him his first and only Academy Award nomination, losing to Eugene Fedorenko's Every Child.

Both shorts have their merits, though I must say I found Every Child a little bit more memorable. I mean, while the plot was charming enough, it doesn't show the same level of Fierlinger's later work (Such as My Dog Tulip, which ironically enough, wasn't even nominated in the category of Best Animated Feature in the year 2009...Granted, the competition was quite tight that year, but at least a nomination would have been nice.)

May this talented and underrated animator rest in peace, and may his work receive more recognition in the years to come.

6.5/10.