The article by Crafton is devoted to the profound analysis of major characteristics of a famous silent animated series “Felix the Cat” and investigation of the work of people who made efforts for creating the character of Felix and the series as a whole. It is noticed that “Felix the Cat,” which was created in the cooperation of Otto Messmer and Pat Sullivan, “was the quintessential cartoon of the 1920s and the favorite of growing number of aficionados of the medium” (Crafton 301). Thus, it is hugely fascinating to increase the knowledge on the cartoon.
Crafton’s article begins with the description of the development of Otto Messmer’s career path which was in particular greatly influenced by the cooperation with Pat Sullivan. This was Messmer who developed original idea regarding creating the animation series depicting the story of a captivating cat. The cartoonist Sullivan noticed Messmer, who brought his extraordinary drawings to be photographed, in 1915, and since that time a sufficient work on the animated series had started. Sullivan had already opened his own studio and offered Messmer a job. Due to Sullivan, Messmer obtained the opportunity to become acquainted with latest techniques.
The article pays special attention to the representing of history of creating of “Felix the Cat,” cartoon’s introducing for the audience, and major stages of rising of its popularity. The role of Paramount in releasing of the series is discussed as well. Besides, history of the cartoon’s success is investigated in the article. It is emphasized that “the success of the series was snowballing” (Crafton 308). In addition, the impact of the competition, which appeared from Moser’s “Scat the Cat” in 1920, on the “Felix the Cat” is investigated in terms of the article.
It is remarkable that Crafton focused strong attention on the analysis of Felix as a character. It is argued that this was Felix who was inspiring its creators and who contributed to an overall advancement of the animation series. The author investigates a set of characteristics of Felix which attracted the audience to the highest extent. Such characteristics, for instance, included the viewers’ desire to possess the cat, the recognition of the nature of human being within the character, his memorable physical appearance, his gestures, motions, and behavior.
Finally, the themes developed in “Felix the Cat” are profoundly examined in the article. Crafton analyses a set of most obvious and fascinating themes which created dramatic basis of the series. It is claimed that the themes include depicting Felix as the outsider, as the one who is threatening, starving, hallucinating, making kind activities, and fighting for cats’ rights. All in all, the author comes to the conclusion that the due to viewing dozens of films with Felix, the audience undoubtedly come to understanding of the unique individuality of Felix.
Works Cited
Crafton, Donald. “Felix; or Feline Felicity.” Before Mickey: The Animated Film 1898-1928. Ed. Donald Crafton. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1993. 301-346. Print.
