March 16, 1945 – The Pluto Short Film Dog Watch is Released to Theaters
“Pluto! You will stay aboard and stand watch. Keep a sharp look out and let no one aboard. Understand?”
On March 16, 1945, the Pluto short film Dog Watch was released to theaters. It was directed by Charles Nichols, with story by Eric Gurney.
On a big naval shipyard, Pluto runs to the deck of his ship when the command for all hands ashore is called. His commanding officer tells Pluto to stand watch over the ship and not let anyone aboard, which Pluto agrees with a salute. He begins his patrol of the boat, and spots two mysterious figures in a lifeboat. He sneaks up on the two, but when he pulls the tarp away, it is revealed to be his collection of bones. He takes one and curls up in a coil of rope, chewing away happily.
Pluto tries to intimidate the rat, but the rat doesn’t show the slightest bit of fear
A rat climbs one of the ropes of the docked ship and makes his way inside. He gets Pluto’s attention accidentally, and continues to explore the ship. When Pluto growls at the rat, the rat is not afraid, and pulls Pluto’s bottom lip over his nose. The rat then tries to prove that he is tougher than Pluto, and ignores any of the dog’s tactics in trying to stop him. Pluto crawls all over the ship to find the rat, finding him in the officer’s mess hall, where a block of limburger cheese is sitting out. Pluto barks madly, but his resolve falters when the rat offers Pluto one of the cookies he is eating. Although Pluto tries to take the cookie, the rat tricks him, only giving him about a quarter of it.
As the rat prepares more food, Pluto’s barking has turned into calls for food. The rat bites into a pepper, and realizes that although he doesn’t like how spicy it is, it would be perfect in getting Pluto to shut up. Just as the rat is having a good laugh about his trick, the footsteps of the commander are heard, and the rat quickly finishes making his sandwich and departs, with Pluto getting the blame for the mess in the officer’s mess hall. Pluto is then locked in the brig, and spies the rat climbing down the rope with his messy sandwich. However, the rat slips on some mustard, and Pluto takes the opportunity to trip the rat, sending him flying into the ocean. Although still in the brig, Pluto is happy that he finally tricked the creature.
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