Fagin's Freshman

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Airdate:
18 November 1939 Blue Ribbon reissue: 16 September 1950

Series:

Merrie Melodies

MPAA Number:	Production Number:	Vitaphone Number:
5050	1226 (reissue)	9101

Copyright Renewed:

2 November 1967^[1]

Crew

Film Editor:

Treg Brown (uncredited)

Musician:

Carl W. Stalling

Fagin's Freshman is a 1939 Merrie Melodies short directed by Ben Hardaway and Cal Dalton.

Plot[]

It's the world of cats and dogs. Blackie, a little black kitten (who lost his mittens), dreams that he runs off to join a school for criminals. Tiring of "sissy stuff," he gets his wish when he teams up with Fagin and his school for young crooks. Blackie gets mixed up with some bad cats. There's a shootout with police dogs. The scenario is a perfect excuse for the "Three Little Kittens" song.

Caricatures[]

Lionel Stander - Fagin's voice is based on his.
James Cagney - safecracking singing kitten.

Availability[]

Goofs[]

In the Blue Ribbon reissue print, the WB shield does not come out fully, resulting in a smaller version of the 1943-47 WB shield being shown instead of the 1947-53 one. A similar error occurred in the reissue of "Toy Trouble".

Notes[]

This cartoon was shown in theaters with On Dress Parade during its original release and Pretty Baby in its reissue.
A portrait that resembles Friz Freleng is shown on the wall next to the door to Blackie's room.
Multiple references to staff member Louie Cavett are shown throughout the short, including a poster that says, "Do you need money? See Cavett the Clutch," a business named "Cavett Chain Stores," and a wanted poster for "Louie the Lip."
The wanted poster for "Fibber McKee" is a reference to the title character from Fibber McGee and Molly.