Ready, Woolen and Able 1960

In this classic Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog cartoon, viewers are taken on a humorous and relentless chase centered around Ralph Wolf’s numerous attempts to steal a sheep, which is diligently protected by Sam Sheepdog. The cartoon begins by contrasting the contrasting ways Ralph and Sam start their day: Sam drives to work in what seems to be a rough-hewn Ford Model T, cruising at a leisurely pace, while Ralph zooms past in a high-speed drag racer, eager to get into action. Once they arrive at their respective posts, Sam carefully parks his vehicle, signaling with precise hand signals, while Ralph hurriedly parks and prepares for his schemes.

The story unfolds through a series of inventive and comedic attempts by Ralph to outwit Sam, each ending in failure and slapstick mishaps. Ralph’s first plan involves sneaking after a sheep, but as Sam drops a rake in Ralph’s path—causing him to get smacked in the face—the sheep manages to jump away, landing awkwardly on Ralph’s back. In another attempt, Ralph tries to launch a stick of dynamite into Sam using a lever, but the dynamite rolls back toward him instead, highlighting the foolishness of his plans.

Ralph’s persistence continues with a barrel of gunpowder rolling down a hill, leaving a fiery trail Ralph ignites, only for the barrel to hit a rock and explode, knocking a boulder onto Ralph himself. Dressed comically in a tiny umbrella, Ralph tries to shield himself from the falling rock. Next, Ralph purchases “Two (2) Acme bed-springs” to increase his jumping ability, and after some practice, he attempts to leap over Sam. However, Sam pulls out a large magnet to snatch the springs midair, and Ralph, equipped with a parachute, tries to escape but ends up tangled in the fabric along with Sam.

Ralph’s most elaborate effort involves a prolonged pursuit across a large chasm with a trapeze. He first tries to cross, mistakenly grabbing Sam instead of a sheep. After realizing his error, he deposits Sam on one cliff’s edge, only to see him appear again on a distant cliff — making it clear how often Sam is one step ahead. Ralph then climbs the trapeze, only to find Sam holding on and ultimately being cornered on multiple small outcroppings, in a hot air balloon, and even underwater. Ralph makes frantic attempts to reach Sam in all these scenarios, including diving into a sperm whale to find him, only to burst out the blowhole in shock. The pursuit culminates on a beach crowded with at least twenty-four versions of Sam, all visible at once, making Ralph blow his top in frustration.

As the cartoon wraps up, Sam calmly drives home, while Ralph ends up in an ambulance, wearing a straitjacket, seemingly overwhelmed by the chaos and his own persistent failures. The two characters exchange polite goodnights, ending the cartoon on a humorous and light note. This short exemplifies the timeless slapstick humor and constant cat-and-mouse dynamic between Ralph and Sam, highlighting their endless and amusing struggle, filled with creative and exaggerated comedic gags that keep viewers laughing from start to finish.