May 30, 1947 – The Figaro Short Film Figaro and Frankie is Released to Theaters
“Figaro, you fiend! You’re terrible! Of all the unspeakable, inhuman, barbaric, dreadful things!”
On May 30, 1947, the Figaro short film Figaro and Frankie was released to theaters. It was the last of the short series of Figaro cartoons, with the first being 1943’s Figaro and Cleo and 1946’s Bath Day. It was directed by Charles Nichols, with story by Eric Gurney and Bill de la Torre.
Frankie the canary is singing in his cage, waking poor Figaro, who is desperately trying to nap. He attacks Frankie’s cage and stops him for a brief moment, but he fights back with birdseed. When Figaro tries to get back at him, Minnie finds the kitten climbing up to the cage and rebukes him. Figaro walks away, but then decides to go after Frankie again and manages to knock over the cage. When Minnie runs in again, she thinks that Figaro has eaten Frankie, and chases him with the broom out of the house. After Minnie rushes Figaro out, it’s revealed that Frankie is indeed alive, and stares out the window, wishing he could fly now that he is free. Unfortunately, Frankie is unable to fly, and nearly falls into Figaro’s mouth, until Figaro is chased away by Butch the bulldog. Butch nearly eats Frankie, and is stuck between being eaten by Figaro and by Butch. Figaro’s conscience tries to convince Figaro to save Frankie, but to not avail, until he hits the cat with his halo. Figaro pushes a potted plant onto Butch’s head, driving the bulldog away. The two manage to make up, and Frankie goes back to annoying Figaro with his singing.
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