The Cat Came Back

This short, nominated for an Academy Award, is one of the two shorts produced under the auspieces of the National Film Board of Canada that most people would recognize (the other is Bob's Birthday) even if they've never seen anything else. The first time I saw this, I wondered if John Weldon and/or Cordell Barker had stood next to Richard Condie too long and mutated! I learned that Condie was directly and significantly involved in its creation. If you are one of the 28 people out there who haven't seen this cartoon, then why are you reading this? Go watch it, for heaven's sake! Most highly recommended.

This cartoon was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1989. It lost to an amazing film from Pixar, THE TIN TOY, but that doesn't mean that THE CAT CAME BACK is a bad film--just of a much simpler and older style than the CGI film.

The graphics for this short are far from great but given the subject matter, this actually helped the film--giving it a certain kooky charm. The film begins with an angry guy playing the tuba when he is interrupted by the arrival of a cute yellow cat. Despite being cute, though, the cat is super-destructive and impossible to get rid of no matter what the man does. In the end, he does get rid of the cat once and for all....or so he thinks! The craziness and over the top style are what make this simple film. While nothing new here, it is done with such style and fun that anyone seeing it will be hooked.

I have seen a lot of funny cartoons, but very few which brought a big smile to my face the entire duration of the film. I just could not believe how good this was, from the hilarious animation - mainly "Mr. Johnson," to the clever jokes that are in here one after the other after the other.

Kudos to Cordell Barker for his story, direction and animation. It's an unbelievably entertaining. story of guy who finds a little yellow cat on his welcome mat outside one day, and how this cat literally destroys the house and the owner. It also shows the many attempts the man makes to get rid of the cat but, as the title say, he keeps coming back.

I can see why this was nominated for an Oscar. What I don't understand is why it didn't win. I don't know how you can make a cartoon any better

There is a DVD out, named "Leonard Maltin's Animation Favorites From The National Film Board Of Canada. If for no other reason than this cartoon, purchasing that DVD would be worthwhile because this animated short is one of the best ever made

for many reasons, it is a certainly must see. for a lot of motifs. first - each cat lover discovers the stereotypes of life with adorable animal in precise description. second - Cordell Barker use the old gags in inspired manner. three - the compassion for the poor man , full of good intentions, terrorized by a monster is mixed with humor in beautiful way. four - after the meetings with so many sophisticated animations, it is a real refreshing to discover a kind of old fashion oasis. so, a great film. or, more specific, one of the lovely one.

'The Cat Came Back' is likely the best short ever assembled, at least coming out of Canada. Not only is it drop dead funny, but it's original and the animation is great. I caught it on CTV about five minutes ago right before 'Open Mike', and this is the first time I've ever rushed up to the computer so fast to see if it had an IMDb listing and to comment on it. Being only seven minutes long, there isn't much to say about it, except that, if you see only one short movie in your entire life, make it be this one.