Western Whoopee
Western Whoopee is a 1930 animated short film directed by John Foster and Harry Bailey. It is part of the early cartoon series Aesop's Sound Fables. It was produced by The Van Beuren Corporation and released by the film company Pathé Exchange. It, like other Sound Fables at that time, features Milton Mouse and Rita, who resemble Mickey and Minnie Mouse to such an extent that Disney sued Van Beuren for the resemblance.
The film's sound was recorded on the RCA Photophone System, a company whose sound systems were used by Pathé during these time frame.
Copyrighted on April 10, 1930, and released three days later on the 13th, the short was reviewed by several movie review magazines at that time, and received positive reviews.
Plot
The film begins with Milton riding his horse around the West until he hears a wanted criminal roaming the West. Upon hearing this, Milton's mouse agrees to change to be the width of a twig, as a way of disguise. The criminal, who remains nameless throughout the entire short film, rides in front of a tree; and sees a Wanted sign with himself on it. He laughs, and shoots a skull and crossbones onto the other side, and afterwards proceeds to ride off.Milton blows a raspberry to the criminal, who then goes back to see what the noise was. The horse takes this opportunity to kick the criminal onto the floor. Milton and the horse both laugh, and then ride away.
Milton rides to "The Last Chance Tavern", to people singing a song, with banjo accompaniment. In the bar, the pianist proceeds to play a waltz, which the bar begins to dance to. However, the lively enthusiastic attitude changes when the unnamed criminal returns to the bar, driving nearly everyone away. He walks around the bar, until coming to Milton playing Turkey in the Straw on the piano, who then finishes with Shave and a Haircut and pokes the criminal in the eye. This makes him spin with guns firing.
Milton then proceeds to attach his underwear to the pianola, which in return, plays the same song. Rita laughs at the events, which angers the criminal enough for her to be kidnapped. After the criminal runs away with Rita, many cowboys seek to get her back, and end up chasing him. After arriving at a cliff-edge, the criminal gets his gun, and shoots every cowboy one-by-one. Milton survives the onslaught, as the criminal's gun jams.
This begins a short chase, where Milton shoots the criminal off his horse. They begin to fence. Milton wins the fight, by cutting up the criminal like a potato, who then runs away. Milton then proceeds to eat the sword. Milton then grabs Rita, and dances with her. The film ends with Milton kissing Rita.