Paying the Piper 1949

In the charming town of Hamelin, the residents are jubilant after successfully eliminating the rat menace, celebrating the fact that their unwelcome rodent visitors are finally gone. This victory, however, is met with mixed feelings among the local cats, who realize that their primary food source has vanished along with the rats. The cats, sensing an impending threat to their survival, become anxious and uncertain about their fate. In their desperation, they decide to seek the help of the Supreme Cat, a cunning and strategic feline leader, in hopes of reversing the situation.

The Supreme Cat devises a clever plan to reintroduce the rats into the town by sabotaging Porky Pig’s reward. Porky, played by Mel Blanc, had been promised a reward by the mayor for proven efforts in eradicating the rats, provided that no rat remained in Hamelin. The mayor had made it clear that Porky would only receive his payment if the town was completely rat-free. In response, the Supreme Cat dons a disguising rat suit to manipulate and thwart Porky’s attempts, sowing chaos in the process.

As Porky is on the verge of collecting his well-earned reward, Supreme Cat dramatically enters the mayor’s office, flashing a cunning smile. The mayor reminds Porky that he won’t receive the reward until the last rat is gone, which fuels Supreme Cat’s plan. To entertain himself and the audience, the Supreme Cat mimics the famous Last of the Mohicans scene, adding a theatrical flair to his mischief.

Throughout the story, Supreme Cat continuously troubles Porky by appearing as himself and impersonating the piper, attempting to prevent the last rat from being drawn out. In one of their comic episodes, Supreme, dressed entirely as a rat, slaps Porky with his tail and pretends to be mesmerized by Porky’s clarinet playing, which includes the tune Little Brown Jug. The playful deception escalates until Porky finally manages to seize the rat costume—though, unknowingly, inside is the crafty Supreme Cat. Porky then takes the costume back to the town hall, proudly presenting what he believes is the final remnant of the last rat to the mayor: a seemingly defeated rat suit.

The mayor proceeds to open the safe to collect Porky’s reward, only to discover Supreme Cat inside, clutching a bag full of money. Recognizing the deception, Supreme Cat swiftly makes a break for it, dashing away with Porky in pursuit. Cornered behind a fence, Supreme Cat attempts to hide by taking cover, prompting Porky to devise a clever trick. Porky announces that since he won’t be paid, he will bring back all the rats, implying he has a plan to restore the town’s usual chaos.

To bring the rats back, Porky plays his clarinet once more, accompanied by a record titled Rat Stampede - To Fool Cats On The Other Side Of Fences. This musical act successfully lures the returning rats, thrilling Supreme Cat and making him believe the plan has succeeded. Overjoyed, Supreme Cat dashes out into the open, only to be tripled up by Porky, who quickly snatches the money bag. With a playful whistle, Porky then skips off, content with his clever victory, as the town’s peace is restored—at least for the moment.

This animated tale combines humor, mischief, and clever deception, showcasing Porky’s resourcefulness and the Supreme Cat’s mischievous plots, all set against the lively backdrop of Hamelin’s peculiar, humorous adventure.