Sniffles and the Bookworm

Sniffles and the Bookworm
Directed byCharles Jones
Story byRich Hogan
Produced byLeon Schlesinger
StarringMel Blanc
Margaret Hill-Talbot
William Days
Johnnie Davis
Paul Taylor Mixed Chorus[1]
Music byCarl W. Stalling
Animation byBob McKimson
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • November 26, 1939 (1939-11-26)[2]
(earliest known date)
Running time
7 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Sniffles and the Bookworm is a 1939 American animated comedy short film directed by Charles Jones.[3] The short was released as early as November 26, 1939. It is part of the Merrie Melodies series and the third cartoon to feature Sniffles. It was re-released as a "Blue Ribbon" reissue in 1951, rendering the original film and credits lost.[2]

Plot

On a snowy night, Sniffles rests in a bookshop for warmth and comfort. A bookworm bites his way through a book and drops his glasses, briefly mistaking Sniffles' tail for it. He notices Sniffles and is scared into seeking help from the Pied Piper of Hamelin from a book, who also seeks help from a Viking from another book. They try to sneak up on Sniffles, who emerges from hiding and tails them. Both the Pied Piper and the Viking realize that the bookworm is exaggerating and are relieved to discover the truth.

The Pied Piper gives Sniffles a clarinet as they both play a swing musical number, which cause book characters such as Mother Goose to emerge and join suit. The bookworm is given a trumpet to join in. Frankenstein's monster emerges and chases them, but Sniffles distracts him and trips him off the bookshelf in an act of courage. The bookworm kisses Sniffles while he sleeps as thanks for saving him.

Home media

The short is included on Disc I of Looney Tunes Mouse Chronicles: The Chuck Jones Collection.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Scott, Keith (2022). Cartoon Voice Of The Golden Age, 1930-70. BearManor Media. p. 38. ISBN 979-8-88771-010-5.
  2. 1 2 "Sniffles and the Bookworm - Earliest Known Date". The Butte Daily Post. November 25, 1939. p. 8. Retrieved November 15, 2025.Free access icon
  3. ↑ Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 96. ISBN 0-8050-0894-2.
  4. ↑ "Mouse Chronicles coming to DVD and Blu-ray". May 9, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
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