Another Wild Idea (1934)

Another Wild Idea poster

Hal Roach Studios
Starring: Charley Chase, Frank Austin
Directed by: Charles Parrott

Synopsis: Charley (Chase) is in love with Betty (Mack) but unknowingly becomes the target of one of her father’s (Frank Austin) kooky experiments.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The first part of the short finds Charley and Betty returning home from a masquerade party with Charley dressed as Henry the 8th. Before they get home, we see Betty’s father putting out a tabby cat and an empty milk bottle.

Another Wild Idea - Betty's father Frank Austin in nightshirt putting out empty milk bottle and tabby cat

Another Wild Idea - Betty's father Frank Austin in nightshirt putting out empty milk bottle and tabby cat animated gif

Through an odd circumstance, Charley finds himself stuck on Betty’s doorstep with part of his costume caught in the door. He ends up spending the night there, asleep on his feet. The tabby cat returns home and steps up onto the porch.

Another Wild Idea - tabby cat on porch

Seeing Charley, the cat hisses and runs away. It’s interesting to note that the cat who is first seen in this shot is completely different from the cat who hisses and runs away!

Another Wild Idea - tabby cat hissing on porch