A Tale of Two Kitties

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This article is about the 1942 cartoon. For the 2006 movie see .

A Tale of Two Kitties is an American cartoon, released in 1942, notable for introducing the character Orson (later "Tweety") Bird. Directed by Bob Clampett. It was also the first appearance of the duo of Babbit and Catstello (based on Abbott and Costello). The title is an obvious pun on the Charles Dickens classic, A Tale of Two Cities, but there is no other connection between the two "Tales".

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The cartoon is replete with topical references, many centering around World War II.

One gag has the "Babbit" cat hoeing his "Victory garden". Another has the "Catstello" cat gliding through the air on artificial wings like a warplane ("Look at me! I'm a Spitfire!" followed by a few juicy expectorations). The climax has Tweety admonishing the cats, in a very loud and un-Tweety-like voice, to "TURN OUT THOSE LIGHTS!" during an air raid drill.

The cartoon also takes a direct shot at the censorship bureau known as the Hays Office. Catstello is atop a ladder trying to reach Tweety. Babbit is at the bottom of the ladder, yelling to his corpulent pal, "Come on! Give me the bird! Give me the bird!" Catstello turns to the audience and says in his Brooklynese way, "If da Hays Office'd only let me... I'd give him 'da boid' all right!"

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