No Mutton fer Nuttin' is a 1943 Noveltoon, released on October 26, 1943 as the first entry in the series. The cartoon also features the debut of Blackie the Sheep and Wolfie the Wolf.
Plot[]
Taking place in a farm, Wolfie the Wolf attempts to catch a herd of white sheep. The pursuit brings the attention of Blackie, who is reading a book entitled "How to Outsmart a Wolf". Blackie then performs various actions to outsmart Wolfie, such as tripping him, chase him around a tree, or even giving the hot foot underwater. Blackie then bets $10 with the wolf on a pair of "loaded" dice, winning as a result. Wolfie attempts to call foul before the dice blow up, sending him into a deep hole. As Blackie sorrowfully digs his "grave", Wolfie re-emerged behind him and catches him for his dinner.
That night, Wolfie prepares Blackie as his late night meal, but the lamb begs him for one last wish; to smoke a king sized cigarette. Wolfie obliges before locking the door to his house as he prepares his knife on a stone wheel, not knowing that his house begins to be covered in smoke before burning into a crisp, with Blackie and the fridge unharmed. Shocked, Wolfie tries to attack Blackie, but Blackie warns him that he doesn't have time because the cartoon is over. Wolfie objects before an iris closes on his arm. Blackie is seen on the other side with a cart for a "scrap metal drive", and retrieves Wolfies knife by hitting his hand with a mallet.
Trivia[]
- This is the first Noveltoon cartoon, and the first appearances of Blackie the Sheep and Wolfie the Wolf.
- This cartoon was directed by Dan Gordon, who directed and wrote a few Famous Studios cartoons, mostly in the style of Tex Avery, however he is uncredited, as he was fired from the studio before its release.
- This cartoon ends with a Tex Avery style gag, and a wartime reference to scrap metal drives.
- First cartoon to feature the voices of Arnold Stang and Cecil Roy.