The Fifth Column Mouse

Synopsis

The short film begins with a pleasant group of brown mice – to the tune of “Ain't We Got Fun?” – who are enjoying various water sports in a kitchen sink. Lurking just outside the house is a sinister cat who, after breaking in, gains the confidence of a dim-witted grey mouse. The cat persuades the unsuspecting rodent to tell the other mice to become the cat’s slaves, and in return, promises a never-ending cheese supply. The grey mouse (who much more resembles a rat) follows the cat’s orders, but soon finds out the cat’s true intentions—to make them his dinner, and flees to join the mice. The brown mice then form a united alliance against the cat as both sides prepare for war, constructing a weapon to even the battle: a mechanical bulldog. The battle, in which the cat is chased and shaved nearly bald, forces the cat out of the house. As the mice all celebrate the victory, the grey mouse tries to claim partial credit (quoting Red Skelton’s famous line "I Dood it"); he is immediately pied in response.

Availability

The Fifth-Column Mouse was released on Bugs & Daffy: The Wartime Cartoons (1989), and later on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6 DVD set. The cartoon is now in the public domain.