A Tale of Two Kitties

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A Tale of Two Kitties is an American cartoon, released in 1942, notable for introducing the character Orson "Tweety" Bird. Directed by Bob Clampett. It was also the appearances of Babbott and Catstello (based on Abbott and Costello).

The cartoon is replete with topical references, many centering around World War II.

One gag has the "Babbott" cat hoeing his "Victory garden". Another has the "Catstello" cat gliding through the air on artificial wings like a warplane ("Look at me! I'm a Spitfire!" followed by a few juicy expectorations). The climax has Tweety admonishing the cats, in a very loud and un-Tweety-like voice, to "TURN OUT THOSE LIGHTS!" during an air raid drill.

The cartoon also takes a direct shot at the censorship bureau known as the Hays Office. Catstello is atop a ladder trying to reach Tweety. Babbott is at the bottom of the ladder, yelling to his corpulent pal, "Come on! Gimme the bird! Gimme the bird!" Catstello faces the audience and says in his Brooklynese way, "If da Hays Office would only let me... I'd give him 'da boid' all right!"