DISDAINING THE INCLUSION of any other more "human-like", anthropomorphic characters, such as Mickey, Donald or Goofy, this short is one beautiful example of Pluto's being handled at his very best. Although this ploy is an oft used plot element and not necessarily new at this period (the first full year of WWII for the U.S.A), it possibly was never better applied.
IN OTHER CARTOONS the absence of on-screen speaking characters is supplemented by using the narrator. The latter day production of the Pluto starring vehicle, THE LEGEND OF COYOTE ROCK, is a prime example.
IN THIS PARTICULAR short animated subject, we start with a basic premise; that being Pluto's love of his hoarded collection of bones. He even keeps track of the current one in his dish as he sleeps. He is portrayed as even licking the very chomp-able portion of calcium & marrow and keeping tabs of its whereabouts and proximity to his doghouse by use of taste & tongue.
ENTER HIS NEXT door neighboring Daschound, Dinah. She stealthily maneuvers her short but lengthy body around our slumbering hero and relieves him of it. Upon waking, Pluto immediately traces it down; and recovers it with the use of implied physical force.
THE SITUATION IS then complicated when Pluto begins sleepwalking, which is accompanied with his subconsciously returning the bone to the petite, little pooch. Upon his waking, Pluto immediately reverses his seeming generosity. He has an automatic knee-jerk reaction of forcefully reclaiming his crunchy chewable.
THIS SITUATION CONTINUES that way until it comes to light that Dinah has a litter of pups to care for. Feeling like a real heel (literally illustrated on screen), Pluto not only brings his entire stash of crunchies to her family, but also offers his own doghouse in place of hers; which he has angrily destroyed. He does so just as a rainfall is starting; even though he has to take refuge under some old newspapers.
THE PRODUCTION TEAM manages to at once give us a laugh romp, while at the same time, they add a little touch of pathos. It is, after all, Wartime and we all have to stick together even more so than in better, more peaceful days.
IF THERE IS one element in THE SLEEPWALKER that we find that reminds us of any previous film's plot it is that of having Pluto behave so radically different when awake and while sleepwalking. Freely giving the little dog his bones when sleepwalking is followed up with his not remembering his kindly deed while fully awake, he repeatedly took them back.
DOES THIS PARTICULAR bit of plot business remind the reader of anything that was done prior in a movie?
WELL, WHAT ABOUT the millionaire who befriends Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp character in CITY LIGHTS (1931)? When he was inebriated, the rich man was Charlie's pal; giving him anything, even his expensive automobile. Upon his awakening from his state of intoxication, the millionaire has no recollection of his friendship his generous "gifts" to Charlie.
SO, WHETHER OR not he was aware of it, Pluto was now on the same plain as Chaplin!
IN OTHER CARTOONS the absence of on-screen speaking characters is supplemented by using the narrator. The latter day production of the Pluto starring vehicle, THE LEGEND OF COYOTE ROCK, is a prime example.
IN THIS PARTICULAR short animated subject, we start with a basic premise; that being Pluto's love of his hoarded collection of bones. He even keeps track of the current one in his dish as he sleeps. He is portrayed as even licking the very chomp-able portion of calcium & marrow and keeping tabs of its whereabouts and proximity to his doghouse by use of taste & tongue.
ENTER HIS NEXT door neighboring Daschound, Dinah. She stealthily maneuvers her short but lengthy body around our slumbering hero and relieves him of it. Upon waking, Pluto immediately traces it down; and recovers it with the use of implied physical force.
THE SITUATION IS then complicated when Pluto begins sleepwalking, which is accompanied with his subconsciously returning the bone to the petite, little pooch. Upon his waking, Pluto immediately reverses his seeming generosity. He has an automatic knee-jerk reaction of forcefully reclaiming his crunchy chewable.
THIS SITUATION CONTINUES that way until it comes to light that Dinah has a litter of pups to care for. Feeling like a real heel (literally illustrated on screen), Pluto not only brings his entire stash of crunchies to her family, but also offers his own doghouse in place of hers; which he has angrily destroyed. He does so just as a rainfall is starting; even though he has to take refuge under some old newspapers.
THE PRODUCTION TEAM manages to at once give us a laugh romp, while at the same time, they add a little touch of pathos. It is, after all, Wartime and we all have to stick together even more so than in better, more peaceful days.
IF THERE IS one element in THE SLEEPWALKER that we find that reminds us of any previous film's plot it is that of having Pluto behave so radically different when awake and while sleepwalking. Freely giving the little dog his bones when sleepwalking is followed up with his not remembering his kindly deed while fully awake, he repeatedly took them back.
DOES THIS PARTICULAR bit of plot business remind the reader of anything that was done prior in a movie?
WELL, WHAT ABOUT the millionaire who befriends Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp character in CITY LIGHTS (1931)? When he was inebriated, the rich man was Charlie's pal; giving him anything, even his expensive automobile. Upon his awakening from his state of intoxication, the millionaire has no recollection of his friendship his generous "gifts" to Charlie.
SO, WHETHER OR not he was aware of it, Pluto was now on the same plain as Chaplin!