Greetings, Boils & Ghouls...
...and welcome to 'Day Fourteen' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" where I aim to bring you another creepy cartoon classic from the plethora of spooky animated short films that have been released throughout the course of animation history - any of which can be streamed on TV via the magic of Roku media players - so let's dim those lights, for some more fun & frights! :-O
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published fourteen days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my post from 'Day Thirteen' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall that it featured a cat which got a nasty fright while curled-up in front of the fireplace. Anyway, believe it or not, today's creepy cartoon classic features another "Fraidy Cat" in the form of a very familiar old cartoon character: Tom (the cat) who, while listening to the radio in the comfort of the living room, is so shaken-up by the "Witching Hour" story that Jerry (the mouse) decides to play on his fears! :-O :-)
Co-directed by William Hanna with Joseph Barbera and first released in theatres on 17th January, 1942 this "Fraidy Cat" episode of "Tom and Jerry" was produced by Fred Quimby on behalf of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer company, with colour by Technicolor, and has the dubious honour of being the first "Tom and Jerry" cartoon in which 'Tom' can be heard to yelp in pain. Hardly surprising given how this spooky short begins with a "horror" story that has quite a dramatic effect on poor old Tom!
Jerry, meanwhile, has been observing the whole thing and is quietly laughing away to himself. As the "Witching Hour" radio show reaches it's grim conclusion, 'Tom' makes a dash for cover as he hears an evil scream and winds-up hiding in a vase of flowers... presumably feeling he'll be safer in there? :-/ Continuing to listen, from the "safety" of the vase, the titular "Fraidy Cat" sighs with relief when the radio host says: "And that, my dear children, concludes this evening's Witching Hour" but has to gulp before managing a nodded "yes" to the final question: "And you do believe in ghosts...don't you?" :-O
Sensing Tom's continued state of anxiety, he decides to have some fun and torment the "Fraidy Cat" even further. Making his way over to the window... he pulls on the roller blind, over-extending it and causing the blind to snap shut and spin round on itself. The resultant flapping noise scares 'Tom' who goes into hiding once more. Eventually he realises what had given him such a start and breathes a sigh of relief that it was not (as he had first thought) a ghost. Further shenanigans follow when 'Jerry' spots 'Tom' curled-up on a radiator and seizes the opportunity to fully open the valve which leads to a cloud of hot steam rising-up and scorching poor old 'Tom' on the back. He leaps into the air and yelps out loud in pain, then runs towards a closet - panting heavily as he clings to the door - and tries to calm down again. Behind him is an upright vacuum cleaner, covered in an old night-shirt, that looks rather ghost-like even though it's totally lifeless at this point. Nevertheless, it's enough to give 'Jerry' more food for thought... and he plays with the switch, making the vacuum cleaner turn on and off so as to make the night-shirt move, bringing the "ghost" to life in both sight and sound. Hearing these scary noises behind him, but without turning around, 'Tom' knows something very terrifying is there. After making several panicked gestures towards the "ghost", the "Fraidy Cat" faints so 'Jerry' stops the vacuum and goes to bring 'Tom' round again by spraying water on him. Woken suddenly, 'Tom' spits water from his mouth, and shakes it from his ears, before sighing with relief that the noise had stopped. However, it wasn't long before 'Jerry' had brought the "ghost" to life again... only this time, he pushes it towards 'Tom' - who thinks he's being chased by the ghost - and his tail gets sucked-up by the vacuum cleaner. It's not long before all of his "nine lives" are sucked out of him too... but, to find out if 'Tom' survives this ghostly encounter, you'll just have to watch today's cartoon classic:-
Unlike the previous videos that I've shared (thus far) in this series of posts, "Fraidy Cat" (1942) did not seem to be available via 'YouTube' and, as a result, the version I am sharing with you today is hosted on the 'Vimeo' website. Of course, in addition to watching this embedded video of the cartoon right here on this blog, you can also choose to stream it on your phone or tablet by using the 'Vimeo' app(s) for both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms on your mobile devices. For those who prefer to watch on their big screen television, there is also a Roku channel for 'Vimeo' which is available via the built-in 'Channel Store', found under "Streaming Channels" from the 'Home' menu of your Roku streaming media player, and the channel icon [aka 'HD Poster' image] to look out for is as follows:-
VIMEO....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TOP TIP: The built-in 'Search' function within the Roku channel for 'Vimeo' is a fairly basic affair and does not permit you to search easily by 'Username' - in this case: "tvaddictz", also known as "Leo" - or the unique identifier (which is "212237662" for the video shown above) - so your best hope of finding "Fraidy Cat" within the 'Vimeo' channel on your Roku device is to use the exact title provided by the uploader... so, in this case, you would need to type in all (or part) of the following text: "#4. Fraidy Cat (1942)" which is shown (in full) across the top of the embedded video included in this post. Experience has taught me that not all the video titles will be included within the 'Vimeo' search results so, if you adopt the same method when searching for another video from their website, your chosen title may not show-up at all. That said, having personally tested this one myself, I can confirm that you will see it listed among the 'Search' results on the right of your screen if you type-in "Fraidy" (you can ignore the rest) and that you should also see several other options for streaming the "Fraidy Cat" episode any of which can be viewed on your Roku device(s) without issues! ;-) :-)
On whichever platform you decide to watch this video, be sure to listen-out for the radio announcer near the start... because the scary voice 'Tom' hears on the radio while listening to "Witching Hour" - which, for the record, was an actual 1940's radio show - belonged to Martha Wentworth, who hosted the real "Witching Hour" over the airwaves in the guise of 'Old Nancy', the Witch of Salem! :-O
Meanwhile, to round-off this post, here's a couple of the film posters that were used to promote this "Fraidy Cat" cartoon. I'm not sure why they bothered with the "hammock" one... since it has nothing to do with the above cartoon other than the "Fraidy Cat" title. Perhaps it was that the "ghost" vacuum in the other poster was just too scary for some folks to handle? Must be Fraidy Cats themselves! :-P
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published fourteen days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my post from 'Day Thirteen' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall that it featured a cat which got a nasty fright while curled-up in front of the fireplace. Anyway, believe it or not, today's creepy cartoon classic features another "Fraidy Cat" in the form of a very familiar old cartoon character: Tom (the cat) who, while listening to the radio in the comfort of the living room, is so shaken-up by the "Witching Hour" story that Jerry (the mouse) decides to play on his fears! :-O :-)
Co-directed by William Hanna with Joseph Barbera and first released in theatres on 17th January, 1942 this "Fraidy Cat" episode of "Tom and Jerry" was produced by Fred Quimby on behalf of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer company, with colour by Technicolor, and has the dubious honour of being the first "Tom and Jerry" cartoon in which 'Tom' can be heard to yelp in pain. Hardly surprising given how this spooky short begins with a "horror" story that has quite a dramatic effect on poor old Tom!
Tom Is Terrified By The Ghostly Tale On The Radio...
It's Enough To Make Your Hair Stand On End...
Send Icy Shivers Down Your Spine...
...And Cause Your Heart To Leap Into Your Throat !!
Jerry, meanwhile, has been observing the whole thing and is quietly laughing away to himself. As the "Witching Hour" radio show reaches it's grim conclusion, 'Tom' makes a dash for cover as he hears an evil scream and winds-up hiding in a vase of flowers... presumably feeling he'll be safer in there? :-/ Continuing to listen, from the "safety" of the vase, the titular "Fraidy Cat" sighs with relief when the radio host says: "And that, my dear children, concludes this evening's Witching Hour" but has to gulp before managing a nodded "yes" to the final question: "And you do believe in ghosts...don't you?" :-O
Jerry Finds It Highly Amusing That Tom Is Such A "Fraidy Cat"
While A Terrified Tom Tries To Make A Brave Face Of It...
Before Hiding In A Vase - "They Won't Get Me In Here... Will They?"
"And You Do Believe In Ghosts... Don't You?"
Sensing Tom's continued state of anxiety, he decides to have some fun and torment the "Fraidy Cat" even further. Making his way over to the window... he pulls on the roller blind, over-extending it and causing the blind to snap shut and spin round on itself. The resultant flapping noise scares 'Tom' who goes into hiding once more. Eventually he realises what had given him such a start and breathes a sigh of relief that it was not (as he had first thought) a ghost. Further shenanigans follow when 'Jerry' spots 'Tom' curled-up on a radiator and seizes the opportunity to fully open the valve which leads to a cloud of hot steam rising-up and scorching poor old 'Tom' on the back. He leaps into the air and yelps out loud in pain, then runs towards a closet - panting heavily as he clings to the door - and tries to calm down again. Behind him is an upright vacuum cleaner, covered in an old night-shirt, that looks rather ghost-like even though it's totally lifeless at this point. Nevertheless, it's enough to give 'Jerry' more food for thought... and he plays with the switch, making the vacuum cleaner turn on and off so as to make the night-shirt move, bringing the "ghost" to life in both sight and sound. Hearing these scary noises behind him, but without turning around, 'Tom' knows something very terrifying is there. After making several panicked gestures towards the "ghost", the "Fraidy Cat" faints so 'Jerry' stops the vacuum and goes to bring 'Tom' round again by spraying water on him. Woken suddenly, 'Tom' spits water from his mouth, and shakes it from his ears, before sighing with relief that the noise had stopped. However, it wasn't long before 'Jerry' had brought the "ghost" to life again... only this time, he pushes it towards 'Tom' - who thinks he's being chased by the ghost - and his tail gets sucked-up by the vacuum cleaner. It's not long before all of his "nine lives" are sucked out of him too... but, to find out if 'Tom' survives this ghostly encounter, you'll just have to watch today's cartoon classic:-
Unlike the previous videos that I've shared (thus far) in this series of posts, "Fraidy Cat" (1942) did not seem to be available via 'YouTube' and, as a result, the version I am sharing with you today is hosted on the 'Vimeo' website. Of course, in addition to watching this embedded video of the cartoon right here on this blog, you can also choose to stream it on your phone or tablet by using the 'Vimeo' app(s) for both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms on your mobile devices. For those who prefer to watch on their big screen television, there is also a Roku channel for 'Vimeo' which is available via the built-in 'Channel Store', found under "Streaming Channels" from the 'Home' menu of your Roku streaming media player, and the channel icon [aka 'HD Poster' image] to look out for is as follows:-
VIMEO....................................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
TOP TIP: The built-in 'Search' function within the Roku channel for 'Vimeo' is a fairly basic affair and does not permit you to search easily by 'Username' - in this case: "tvaddictz", also known as "Leo" - or the unique identifier (which is "212237662" for the video shown above) - so your best hope of finding "Fraidy Cat" within the 'Vimeo' channel on your Roku device is to use the exact title provided by the uploader... so, in this case, you would need to type in all (or part) of the following text: "#4. Fraidy Cat (1942)" which is shown (in full) across the top of the embedded video included in this post. Experience has taught me that not all the video titles will be included within the 'Vimeo' search results so, if you adopt the same method when searching for another video from their website, your chosen title may not show-up at all. That said, having personally tested this one myself, I can confirm that you will see it listed among the 'Search' results on the right of your screen if you type-in "Fraidy" (you can ignore the rest) and that you should also see several other options for streaming the "Fraidy Cat" episode any of which can be viewed on your Roku device(s) without issues! ;-) :-)
On whichever platform you decide to watch this video, be sure to listen-out for the radio announcer near the start... because the scary voice 'Tom' hears on the radio while listening to "Witching Hour" - which, for the record, was an actual 1940's radio show - belonged to Martha Wentworth, who hosted the real "Witching Hour" over the airwaves in the guise of 'Old Nancy', the Witch of Salem! :-O
Meanwhile, to round-off this post, here's a couple of the film posters that were used to promote this "Fraidy Cat" cartoon. I'm not sure why they bothered with the "hammock" one... since it has nothing to do with the above cartoon other than the "Fraidy Cat" title. Perhaps it was that the "ghost" vacuum in the other poster was just too scary for some folks to handle? Must be Fraidy Cats themselves! :-P
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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for my next creepy cartoon recommendation from the archives of animated film history, when I will suggest another spooky short for 'Day Fifteen' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" that you can stream right here on this blog - as well as through the equivalent channel on your Roku player(s). Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the "Countdown To Hallowe'en" website & show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can also keep up with the UK Roku action (as it happens) by checking-out my regular 'Weekly RoundUp' posts each weekend where you will find up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a weekly basis (well, almost).
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!
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