Edgar Allan Pooh . . . is that cats are a waste of space. This oft-repeated message is borne out once again in the animated short, MOUSE WRECKERS. Claude Cat is presented at the onset here as a highly decorated "mouser," with a whole trophy case documenting his exploits against presumably mechanical mice of the sort featured in feline rodeos. But as soon as Claude's exposed to a couple Real Life Rodents, he's driven batty in about five minutes. Most of us can picture the Pope sitting around in His ornate bathrobe, stroking a fluffy white pussycat. (Or am I confusing the Pontiff with SPECTRE's Number One?) At any rate, the Papal Representatives who have censored virtually every American flick released since July, 1934 (see *THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED, a 2006 documentary) forced Warner to delete its original MOUSE WRECKERS climax, in which Claude gets toasted in the fireplace after the cheese. The Church was no problem with roasting Saints such as Joan D'Arc, but apparently Fraidy Cats must NOT be fried. I suppose the big fear is that Cat Nips might taste too much like chicken.

Michael_Elliott Mouse Wreckers (1948) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Mice Bertie and Hubie come to their new home when they notice Claude the Cat, the best mouse catcher out there, is staying there. Together the two try to make Claude think he's crazy so that he'll move out. This here is a minor cartoon that makes for one great ending but everything before it is rather dull and bland. All of the "tricks" being done to the cat are rather blandly done and for the life of me I could never believe that the cat would be dumb enough to think everything that was happening was only a dream. A dumb cat would have fallen for this but apparently this one was a great one so I don't buy it. The ending is terrific as the cat thinks he's in an upside-down room. The payoff to this sequence is enough of a reason to watch the film.

ccthemovieman-1 Looking for a new home, Hubie and Bertie spot a beautiful place and look in the window and see a bunch of awards and trophies for "Best Mouser of 1948.." Beneath the pile of trophies lies "Claude The Cat." How to get rid of this cat so "we" can safely enjoy this beautiful new house is the plan now for these two sadistic mice.The sadistic but admittedly funny and ingenious plans these mice up with a definitely fun to watch. They make the poor cat a nervous wreck in no time. I felt sorry for the poor pussy. (By the way, where were the owners of the house during all this chaos?)I agree with the other reviewers here: this is easily the best Bert & Hubie cartoon I have seen. This is original, good material and part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume Two.

movieman_kev Mice Hubie and Bertie attempt to drive Claude, the cat of the house, and an award winning mouse catcher to boot, insane in order to make him leave the house that they want to move into. They go about this in a series of complex, yet hysterical ways. This is my favorite short with the two mice, with it's sequel, "Cheese Chasers" a very close second. This Oscar nominated animated short can be seen on Disc 2 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2. It also features an optional commentary by Greg Ford that is a fairly good, insightful listen as well.My Grade: A