Hickory, Dickory, and Doc

This article is about the Walter Lantz cartoon that ran from 1959 to 1960. For the stop-motion characters used in CITV preschool branding from 2005 to 2009, see CITV.
Hickory, Dickory, and Doc
Hickory, Dickory, and Doc
Screenshot from Space Mouse (1959)
First appearance"Space Mouse" (Sep 7th, 1959)
Created byAlex Lovy
Voiced by
Developed byJack Hannah
In-universe information
Full nameDynamo Doc (Doc)
SpeciesAnthropomorphic mice and cat
Significant othersCecil the Bulldog
Champ the Bulldog

Hickory, Dickory, and Doc are fictional cartoon characters created by Alex Lovy for Walter Lantz Productions. Lovy would feature the trio in three cartoons until his departure in 1960. Jack Hannah would soon feature Doc in his six more cartoons soon afterwards.

History

Alex Lovy first introduced Hickory, Dickory, and Doc in the 1959 cartoon Space Mouse, in which Doc attempts to sell the mice to NASA as test animals.[1] Lovy's shorts mainly follow the contemporary cat-and-mouse chase formula of the time, with Doc usually failing to catch the more cunning Hickory and Dickory. These cartoons also featured the bulldog character Cecil, who often beats up Doc whenever he falls victim to his failed chases.

Lovy would eventually leave Lantz for Hanna-Barbera in 1960, with his role of director soon taken by Jack Hannah. Hannah would continue to use Doc is six more cartoons without Hickory and Dickory, instead pairing him with a loyal bulldog companion named Champ.[2] Hannah's shorts put much enthusiasm on Doc's life as an alley cat, who schemes with Champ to find ways to make a quick buck. Doc and Champ lastly appeared in Corny Concerto (1962) before they were retired.

Filmography

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
1"Space Mouse"Alex LovyHomer BrightmanSeptember 7, 1959 (1959-09-07)U-103

Doc attempts to capture and sell two mice, Hickory and Dickory, to NASA for laboratory tests.

Note: First appearance of Hickory, Dickory, and Doc.
2"Mouse Trapped"Alex LovyHomer BrightmanDecember 8, 1959 (1959-12-08)U-104
Today on Friday the 13th, the mayor and the police commissioner have proclaimed all black cats a menace to the city's safety and are having them apprehended, including Doc.
3"Witty Kitty"Alex LovyHomer BrightmanJanuary 5, 1960 (1960-01-05)U-106

Two hungry alley cats set up a raffle to con Doc into snatching a turkey from a house watchdog named Cecil. Doc makes a number of unsuccessful attempts to get past Cecil, and Hickory and Dickory only complicate matters.

Note: Final appearance of Hickory, Dickory and Cecil.
4"Freeloading Feline"Jack HannahJack HannahJune 15, 1960 (1960-06-15)U-116

Doc and Champ trick their way into a penthouse party, where Champ is mistaken for a staff member and prevents Doc from freeloading his way in. The battle between Doc and Champ ultimately leaves the party a shambles.

Notes:

  • First appearance of Champ.
  • Available on "Woody Woodpecker and Friends", Vol. 11 (DVD; Columbia House Club, July 2004).
5"Tin Can Concert Presents: The Cinderella Overture by Rossini"Jack HannahJack HannahOctober 31, 1961 (1961-10-31)U-137

Doc conducts an all-cat symphony orchestra in a rendition of Gioachino Rossini's Cinderella Overture, all the while disturbing a mouse inside the grandfather clock Doc is using a podium.

Note: Champ does not appear in this episode.
6"Doc's Last Stand"Jack HannahAl Bertino and Dick KinneyDecember 19, 1961 (1961-12-19)U-139

Doc and Champ travel across the Wild West to do some sales business, but Doc has Champ dress up as a lady to satisfy a love-crazed customer.

Note: Available on "Woody Woodpecker and Friends", Vol. 7 (DVD; Columbia House Club, October 2003).
7"Pest Of Show"Jack HannahFrank PriestFebruary 13, 1962 (1962-02-13)U-143

Doc prepares Champ for the upcoming dog show that offers a $50,000 prize and a banquet to the winner. Champ wins the prize but Doc ruins his entire banquet.

Note: Available on "Woody Woodpecker and Friends", Vol. 14 (DVD; Columbia House Club, Autumn 2004) and "Woody Woodpecker Favorites" (DVD; Universal, 03/10/2009).
8"Punchy Pooch"Jack HannahBill DanchSeptember 4, 1962 (1962-09-04)U-145

At a carnival, Doc enters Champ in a boxing match against "The Australian Bounder", a fighting kangaroo. Doc and Champ find out that the kangaroo and his manager don't fight fair.

Notes:

  • A.K.A. "Punch Pooch" or "Pouchy Pooch".
  • Available on "Woody Woodpecker and Friends", Vol. 12 (DVD; Columbia House Club, Summer 2004).
9"Corny Concerto"Jack HannahDave DetiegeOctober 30, 1962 (1962-10-30)U-157

Doc and Champ are offered a foot whacking part in a club. Champ becomes a star until he finally won't take it anymore and makes Doc the star instead.

Note: Available on "Woody Woodpecker and Friends", Vol. 14 (DVD; Columbia House Club, Autumn 2004).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Animation Anecdotes #172 |". cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  2. ^ "Dynamo Doc in "Freeloading Feline" (1960) |". cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved 2024-09-21.