The Kat's Meow: A Trip into Early Cartoon Absurdity

Alright, if you're looking for something that makes sense in a traditional movie way, you'll probably hate The Kat's Meow. But if you’ve got a soft spot for *really* old, *really* weird cartoons and just want to see how wild animation used to get, then yes, this is absolutely worth a watch today. 🕵️‍♂️

It's not for everyone, maybe just a handful of us who dig deep into film history. Anyone expecting modern narrative or animation will likely nope out.

This little short opens on Krazy, a speakeasy guy who's already having a rough time. He's got to shorten his cash register, which is a detail that just makes me smile.

What even *is* shortening a cash register? It sets such a peculiar tone, right?

Almost immediately, his Minnie-Mouselike girlfriend is off with a goat customer. And that goat, by the way, seem to have some pretty nice baubles.

Krazy just sits there, heartbroken, playing a stanza of "BROKEN HEARTED" on his keyboard. It’s a moment that almost feels… too human for how silly the rest of it gets.

Then, suddenly, a robber bursts in. This isn't just any robber, though.

He’s got a gun, sure, but his main tool for shaking down the customers? A *vacuum cleaner*. I had to rewind that bit. A vacuum cleaner! 🤯

This is where Krazy and his piano really shine. They spring into action, subduing the thief in a way that’s just pure, unadulterated cartoon logic.

You can’t really explain it; you just have to see it happen.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of The Kat's Meow (1930) through its definitive frames.

The whole thing culminates in the robber being wrapped up in a bullet-hole ridden tablecloth. And get this: that tablecloth then *becomes a player piano roll*.

Yes, it's true. It starts playing "YOU ARE THE CAT'S MEOW." It’s the kind of moment that makes you pause and wonder what the animators were on back then. ✨

And I mean that in the best possible way. The sheer, unbridled creativity of it all, even if it’s totally bonkers.

The animation style is exactly what you’d expect from this era. It’s simple, jerky, but full of character.

There's a raw energy to the lines and movements. You see the hands-on craft in every frame, mistakes and all.

There are these small bits, like how quickly Krazy’s girlfriend just *bounces*. No lingering. Just gone.

And the crowd scenes feel lively, even with simple drawings. It feels like they were just having fun, throwing ideas at the screen.

Honestly, you could watch this just for the novelty of it. It’s a snapshot of a time when cartoons were truly finding their footing.

And that footing was often wonderfully wobbly. Don’t expect a deep story. Just enjoy the ride.

Little things I noticed:

• The way Krazy's eyes get really big when his girlfriend leaves. Classic.
• How the vacuum cleaner *sucks* coins directly out of people's pockets. No fumbling.
• The piano itself seems to have a personality. It’s not just an object.
• The title card felt like it came straight from a nickelodeon.

It’s short, punchy, and utterly, delightfully nonsensical. A little gem for those who appreciate the wild west of early animation. Go watch it. You won't regret the weirdness. 🎬