Polly-tics: A Silly Felix Cat Short You Might Dig (If You're Into That)

Okay, look, if you're into *really* old school animation, like, silent era stuff, then yeah, Polly-tics is a neat little dive. It’s a Felix the Cat short, so expect classic cartoon hijinks and some surprisingly clever bits. Anyone who likes a bit of animation history will get a kick out of it. But if you're looking for deep plots or even sound, this isn't it. You'll probably be bored.

The whole thing just *moves*, right from the jump. You see Felix, looking all scrawny and forlorn, clearly starving. His eyes, those big white circles, really sell the hunger. Then, bam, he spots a bowl of milk! 🥛

What follows is a delightful little skirmish with some mice already helping themselves. Felix is less a hunter and more a frustrated rival for the milk. The way he bats at them, like, 'hey, that's *my* milk,' is pure Felix charm.

Then the human owner shows up. And this is where it gets good. The owner, bless his heart, doesn't quite grasp the situation. He just sees Felix 'dealing with' the mice, thinking our hungry hero is doing him a favor. So, Felix gets adopted! Talk about a lucky break.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Polly-tics (1928) through its definitive frames.

But this is where the *real* story kicks in. The other pets in the house, a dog and some cats, are absolutely not having it. They’ve got their routines, their pecking order, and this new guy Felix is messing it all up. The way they eye him, all suspicious and huffy, is pretty funny. The animators, likely Otto Messmer, really nail those subtle expressions even in such simple drawings.

The revolt itself is… well, it’s a cartoon revolt. Lots of chasing, some very silly traps. It's not exactly intricate, but the energy keeps it going. There's a moment where Felix uses his tail to, like, *draw* a strategy. That’s always been a favorite Felix quirk of mine. ✨

Honestly, the pacing here is just relentless. It doesn't give you much time to think, which is probably for the best. Some of the gags land better than others, of course. One particular bit where the dog tries to trick Felix feels a tiny bit drawn out, but then it snaps back to the next chase.

It's interesting to see how much character they squeezed out of just a few lines and movements. No dialogue, obviously, just expressive actions. You really feel the old-school ingenuity. It's less about the plot, more about the sheer *motion*.

So, yeah, it's short. It's silly. It's a peek into a very different era of animation. Don't go in expecting Pixar, obviously. But for a few minutes of pure, unadulterated Felix the Cat, it’s pretty solid. Maybe even worth a quick watch if you’re bored on a Sunday afternoon. 📺