Horton Hatches the Egg (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Horton Hatches the Egg
Blue Ribbon reissue title card
Directed by	Bob Clampett
Produced by	Leon Schlesinger
Story by	Michael Maltese Rich Hogan (uncredited)
Narrated by	Frank Graham (uncredited)
Starring	Kent Rogers Sara Berner Frank Graham Mel Blanc Bob Clampett (all uncredited)
Music by	Carl W. Stalling
Editing by	Treg Brown (uncredited)
Studio	Leon Schlesinger Productions
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	April 11, 1942 (1942-04-11)
Running time	9:50
Language	English

Horton Hatches the Egg is a classic ten-minute animated short film from 1942. It's based on the popular 1940 book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. This cartoon was made by Leon Schlesinger Productions and was part of their Merrie Melodies series. It was also the very first cartoon ever made based on a Dr. Seuss story!

Unlike the original children's book, this cartoon, directed by Bob Clampett, included some humor and situations that were more for older audiences at the time. The voices in the film were done by talented actors like Kent Rogers (who voiced Horton), Sara Berner (who voiced Mayzie and the elephant bird), Frank Graham (the narrator), and Mel Blanc (who did many other voices).

The Story: What Happens in the Cartoon?

When the creators made this cartoon, they didn't use a traditional storyboard like most films do. Instead, they wrote and drew new ideas right into director Bob Clampett's copy of Dr. Seuss's book! This means the cartoon has some fun parts that aren't in the original book.

Here are some of the extra things you'll find in the cartoon:

• A special introduction that starts with "Now once in a jungle . . ."
• Some dialogue (what the characters say) was changed or added. For example, Mayzie says she has "bags under her eyes," and Horton tells the hunters, "Plain as day," even though they only have one gun.
• A funny fish character who looks like the actor Peter Lorre. This fish does something a bit surprising after seeing Horton on the boat. This part has been removed from many TV versions since the 1980s because it was considered a bit too intense for younger viewers. However, you can still see it in home video releases.
• Mayzie the bird does a funny impression of actress Katharine Hepburn, using some of her famous lines.
• Horton and his son sing a popular song from that time called "The Hut-Sut Song." Horton even jokes that he can't remember all the words!
• A small mouse, who had appeared in another cartoon called "Farm Frolics," tells the other animals that Horton is sitting in a tree.

Who Are the Voices?

Here are the main voice actors who brought the characters to life:

• Kent Rogers as Horton the Elephant, the Peter Lorre Fish, and a Giraffe.
• Sara Berner as Mayzie Bird, the Elephant Bird, and an Audience Member.
• Frank Graham as the Narrator, a Hunter, and an Audience Member.
• Mel Blanc as Horton Sneezing, a Small Hunter, Rosebud the Mouse, and an Audience Member.
• Bob Clampett (the director!) as the Third Hunter.
• The Sportsmen Quartet as the Vocalists.

How the Cartoon Was Made

Making an animated film takes a lot of people and hard work! Here are some of the talented individuals who worked on Horton Hatches the Egg:

• Animation: Robert McKimson, Virgil Ross, Sid Sutherland, Rod Scribner, and Izzy Ellis.
• Effects Animation: A.C. Gamer, who made special effects like water or smoke.
• Layout: Nic Gibson, who planned out the scenes.
• Background: Micheal Sasanoff, who painted the scenery.
• Film Editor: Treg Brown, who put all the animated scenes together.
• Sound Editor: Treg Brown, who also worked on the sound.
• Musical Director: Carl W. Stalling, who created the music for the film.
• Orchestrations: Milt Franklyn, who arranged the music for the orchestra.
• Assistant Producer: Henry Binder.

Production on this cartoon started in August 1941. This was just a few weeks after Bob Clampett took over the animation unit that used to be led by another famous director, Tex Avery.

Where Can You Watch It? (Home Media)

Over the years, Horton Hatches the Egg has been released on different home video formats so people can watch it at home:

• (1991) LaserDisc - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 1, Side 4: Bob Clampett
• (1991) VHS - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 4: Bob Clampett
• (1999) VHS - Looney Tunes: The Collectors Edition, Vol. 7: Welcome to Wackyland
• (2000) VHS - The Best of Dr. Seuss
• (2003) DVD - The Best of Dr. Seuss
• (2008) DVD - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6, Disc 4
• (2008) DVD - Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who Deluxe Edition

Fun Facts About the Film

• This is the only Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies short film that is based on a Dr. Seuss book.
• It's one of the longest Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies shorts made during the Golden Age of Animation, lasting almost 10 minutes!
• In Dr. Seuss's book, Horton the elephant has gray skin. But in this cartoon, his skin is pink!
• This was the first cartoon that Bob Clampett directed in his new unit that Tex Avery didn't start.