I found this as an extra on a $1 DVD (Hunted & Haunted/Detour) from PC Treasures, Inc. In it, a cat (looks like Felix the Cat, though with less charm)eats a canary early on. However, the canary is flying around inside, and whenever the feline opens his mouth, canary sounds come out. Frustrated, he goes to Dr. Snutz, a canine doctor. The X-Ray shows the canary, but before long the cat and the dog start scrapping, leading to the cat getting kicked out. At this point, the cat starts attracting large birds who fall in love with the cat (sort of the opposite of Krazy Kat) and after getting away, the cat joins four kitty comrades on a fence. The other four cats meow, and when our the canary cat let's out canary sounds, the cats are astounded, but go on trying to woo a girl cat in a skirt on a clothesline. Neighbors who are not pleased with the cat wailing throw objects at the five cats. An empty bird cage covers the canary cat's head, and sure enough, the canary flies out. He soon is free of the cage, and reports to an aggressive stork, and a squadron of small birds, who attack the helpless cat in droves, mimicking fighter planes and bringing out a real cannon (Max Fleischer's Popeye would expand on this technique). The U.S. Flag is imprinted on the big bird's wings (this is 1932, so I don't think this is a war allusion.) The cat is soundly thrashed and the movie ends.
The story may sound random and unentertaining, because it is.
On the other hand, it is high quality animation, despite lightly detailed backgrounds. It is true full-motion, with non of the cheapening tricks that would become a trademark for Hanna-Barbara decades later (save for one sequence where the same animation is clearly run in reverse). This is in the early days of sound, and it appears that the music and sound effects only approach is employed largely to reduce the necessity of perfect synchronization.
I'm glad I saw it, but I don't think I'd watch it again.
The story may sound random and unentertaining, because it is.
On the other hand, it is high quality animation, despite lightly detailed backgrounds. It is true full-motion, with non of the cheapening tricks that would become a trademark for Hanna-Barbara decades later (save for one sequence where the same animation is clearly run in reverse). This is in the early days of sound, and it appears that the music and sound effects only approach is employed largely to reduce the necessity of perfect synchronization.
I'm glad I saw it, but I don't think I'd watch it again.