Claws for Alarm

In my opinion, one of the greatest Warner Bros. cartoons ever. Another of the long list of great Chuck Jones shorts of the '50s ("Drip-Along Daffy", "Rabbit Seasoning", "One Froggy Evening") and another in which Porky Pig and (here, his pet cat) Sylvester go on a trip and face disaster, unknown to Porky (see also "Jumpin' Jupiter", 1955).

Porky and Sylvester check into an abandoned hotel, and are menaced by evil (satanic?) mice intent on killing them both. It's beyond me how such subversive stuff was put on cinema screens in 1954. The collaboration of Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese brings about a level of twisted genius, as well as cockeyed comedy, that few cartoons, even WB cartoons, can ever hope to match. A true masterpiece of short animation.

Sylvester leaves his indomitable role as a chaser of canaries and becomes a pet to Porky Pig. After traveling all day, Porky decides to spend the night at dry gulch. It is a haunted hotel and immediately Porky's life is in danger. Sylvester does everything he can to save him from assaults, but every time he tries he gets blamed for doing what the ghosts are actually doing. It is non-stop entertainment.

I really loved Claws for Alarm, the 1950s were a wonderful time for Looney Tunes cartoons, and this is no exception. Comparisons with Scaredy Cat are inevitable, though I am not going to compare, other than to say although I loved Scaredy Cat I marginally preferred this(probably not a popular opinion here but oh well). The animation is dark and atmospheric, and also has a crisp and smooth feel to it. The backgrounds especially are wonderful to look at. The music is clever and also adds to the atmosphere. The dialogue is very good too, and the sight gags are interesting. And I have to say I loved the ending, it was very scary. Porky is good, but Sylvester is the scene stealer in my opinion, while Mel Blanc is exceptional once again as always. Overall, atmospheric with a great ending. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Porky and Sylvester stop for the night at a dilapidated old hotel. Porky ignores the obvious signs that this place is haunted but Sylvester is very much aware of all the spooky goings-on. Chuck Jones does a great job here with the comedy and the creepiness. There's a really nice dark atmosphere with this short. Mel Blanc outdoes himself with some very funny stuttering punchlines for Porky. This is a follow-up to the awesome Scaredy Cat, which also starred Porky and Sylvester. In many ways, it's even better than that short. Both are classics, however, so we're really splitting hairs trying to decide which is best. Love that final shot!

Porky and Sylvester are teamed as owner and pet in this one. They are out driving somewhere in the middle of night in the middle of nowhere but Porky is excited to drive up to "Dry Gulch," which looks like a ghost town. Sylvester sees it for what it is but Porky, for some unknown reason, sees it "as a perfectly splendid place to spend the night." To him, the fact nobody is around just means these country folks must go to bed early.

This is a theme I saw in another Porky & Sylvester cartoon in which Porky doesn't wake up to reality until the last minute and poor Sylvester constantly gets accused of being a "scaredy cat." The only thing different is the setting: this being in a ghost town out West.

Poor Sylvester gets accused of every mental illness you can think of, after each time he saves his dumb master's life because the latter doesn't see what's really going on. It's deadly mice trying to kill Porky.....a slew of them, but our loyal cat is up to the task, even if he's not appreciated. This, like the other cartoon with the same theme, is both funny but frustrating we wait - and hope - Sylvester gets the credit he deserves.

I can't give away the ending.....but it's downright diabolical! This cartoon can be seen on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume Three.