Directed by

Chuck Jones
Made by

Warner Bros. Pictures
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Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Steal Wool (1957). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
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In this classic Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog cartoon short, viewers are taken on a humorous and action-packed journey centered around Ralph Wolf’s continuous attempts to outsmart his friend and rival, Sam Sheepdog, in order to steal sheep. The story unfolds with familiar routines that highlight the playful yet relentless struggle between these two characters, emphasizing their contrasting personalities and comedic antics.
The film begins with Sam Sam Sheepdog waking up to the shrill ring of his alarm clock. With a quick press to dismiss it, he gets ready to begin his day. As he leaves his house clutching his lunchbox, he casually tosses a newspaper onto Ralph’s door—Ralph, played by Mel Blanc, emerges from his house munching on a doughnut, and they exchange a friendly, if somewhat competitive, “good morning.” This sets the tone for their daily routine—one of cooperation mixed with a hidden desire to catch each other off guard.
Ralph’s first attempt involves sneaking under a sleeping sheep and trying to carry it away disguised as one of the flock. However, when Ralph’s plan is uncovered by Sam, Ralph tries to feign innocence by pushing the sheep away, but Sam Sam Sheepdog responds with a punch that turns Ralph’s nose into an accordion, showcasing the cartoon’s slapstick humor.
Undeterred, Ralph devises a more elaborate scheme involving tunneling under the field. This time, he meticulously digs tiny holes from a safe distance, peering through a periscope to spot his target. Ralph aims to lasso a sheep, but instead, he accidentally snags Sam himself. Ralph begins to pull on his lasso, only to be met with a punch from Sam that results in Ralph’s body transforming into an accordion once again. This recurring gag emphasizes the persistent but ultimately futile nature of Ralph’s efforts.
In a more creative approach, Ralph attempts to build a suspension bridge out of firecrackers to lure Sam away from his post. When the plan goes into motion, Ralph seizes a sheep and lights the firecrackers, rushing across the unstable, explosive bridge. Despite daring to secure his prize, Sam demonstrates his extraordinary cartoonish abilities by appearing at the other end of the bridge, prompting Ralph to hurriedly extinguish the fire. However, in an amusing twist, the other end of the bridge is set ablaze, causing the entire structure to vanish into midair—thanks to the whimsical logic of cartoon physics.
Ralph’s next plan involves constructing a makeshift teeter-totter, positioning it under Sam Sam Sheepdog, and jumping from a great height in hopes of catapulting himself onto Sam. But, because Sam’s weight is too much for the simple contraption, Ralph gets bounced into Sam’s arms instead. In retaliation, Sam slams the teeter-totter down with incredible force, sending Ralph flying through the air in a spectacular display of slapstick comedy.
The cartoon then advances to Ralph wheeling a large, lit cannon uphill behind Sam. Ralph’s giddy attempt to escape turns chaotic as the cannon begins rolling downhill after him. Ralph flees towards a nearby cliff, which is surprisingly short—yet enough to make his escape perilous. Climbing onto the edge and tucking into his shell, Ralph watches in horror as the cannon reaches the cliff’s edge and flips over, aiming directly at him. Ralph, curious and naive, stands inside the cannon just moments before it fires, illustrating the perilous and humorous danger he’s in.
The final scheme involves Ralph attaching a vast elastic band to rocks on either side of Sam, creating an enormous slingshot. Ralph pulls back the band and as the rocks loosen, they shoot past him, anchoring into opposing sides of a chasm. Ralph is then flung across the gap, grabbing a tree for dear life. However, the elastic band’s tension causes the rocks and a piece of the tree to rebound, flying back and hitting Ralph with comic timing. Unfazed, Ralph manages to free himself but ends up crashing into a cliff face, crushed beneath the falling debris, with the remaining part of the tree slingshotting into him.
Finally, as the time clock whistle blows signaling the end of the workday, both Sam and Ralph walk home. Ralph, battered and bruised—seeing he has two black eyes and an arm in a sling—is clearly the worse for wear. Despite his injuries, Sam reassures him that he’s been working too hard and offers to take the next day off, promising that he can handle both their jobs. Ralph, grateful and exhausted, stumbles back into his house, softly muttering, “Gee, th-thanks, Sam… You’re a… pal,” highlighting the friendly rivalry that underpins their amusing and timeless antics.
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Follow the complete movie timeline of Steal Wool (1957) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Sam wakes up and prepares for work
Sam Sheepdog wakes up to his alarm and presses it harshly to turn it off. He then leaves his house with his lunch box, ready to guard the sheep. Ralph Wolf is shown trying to stage his plan to steal the sheep, beginning his day with mischievous intent.
Ralph attempts to disguise himself as a sheep
Ralph’s first plan involves sneaking under a sheep and disguising himself as one to infiltrate the flock. He is caught by Sam, who punches him in the nose after Ralph tries to act innocent, causing Ralph’s nose to turn into an accordion.
Ralph tunnels and surveys the field
Ralph digs a small tunnel some distance away from the sheep field and uses a periscope to survey the area. He attempts to lasso a sheep, but accidentally snares Sam instead, leading to a punch from Sam and Ralph’s nose once again turning into an accordion.
Ralph builds a firecracker suspension bridge
For his third plan, Ralph constructs a simple suspension bridge out of firecrackers to lure Sam away. He tries to escape with a sheep by lighting the firecrackers as Sam approaches, but Sam reappears at the other end of the bridge, thwarting Ralph’s attempt.
Ralph attempts a teeter-totter escape
Ralph tries to use a makeshift teeter-totter to jump onto Sam from a height, but because of Sam's weight, he is tossed into Sam’s arms. Ralph is then slammed into the ground as Sam uses the teeter-totter to subdue him.
Ralph rolls a cannon down the hill
Ralph pushes a giant lit cannon up a hill behind Sam. When he runs away, the cannon begins to roll after him. Ralph escapes to a cliff, climbs onto it, but is caught in the cannon, which is about to fire down at him, risking injury.
Ralph attempts a slingshot with an elastic band
In his final plan, Ralph attaches a large elastic band to rocks on either side of Sam, creating a giant slingshot. When Ralph pulls it back, the rocks loosen and launch past him, eventually slinging Ralph and other objects into a cliff face, crushing him.
Ralph endures injuries after his failed plans
Ralph crawls out from under the wreck, battered with two black eyes, an arm in a sling, and injuries from the various objects slung or crushed upon him. His efforts to steal the sheep have ended in repeated failure and physical toll.
Sam suggests Ralph takes a day off
Sam, noticing Ralph’s injuries, gently suggests that Ralph has been working too hard. He offers to handle both jobs tomorrow, indicating that Ralph should rest and recover from his numerous misadventures.
Ralph accepts the kindness and departs
Ralph, despite his battered state, thanks Sam and staggers back into his house. The cartoon concludes with the two co-workers exchanging a friendly gesture, highlighting their ongoing but comical rivalry.
Explore all characters from Steal Wool (1957). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Sam Sheep-Dog (Mel Blanc)
Sam Sheep-Dog is responsible and vigilant, always on duty to guard the sheep. He is calm, determined, and reacts strongly to Ralph’s pranks, embodying the classic loyal protector role. His unwavering duty makes him the perfect foil to Ralph's antics.
Learn where and when Steal Wool (1957) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The specific time period of the movie is not explicitly mentioned. The portrayal of cartoon physics and the style of humor suggest it takes place in a timeless animated universe, where modern and historical elements blend seamlessly into a classic cartoon setting.
Location
Farm, Countryside
The movie is set in a rural farm environment, characterized by open fields and farmland. This setting is typical of agricultural areas where sheep are raised and tended to, highlighting a peaceful yet lively rural lifestyle. Such locations are often depicted as quiet places dedicated to farming and animal husbandry.
Discover the main themes in Steal Wool (1957). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Ingenuity
The film emphasizes ingenuity and cleverness as Ralph attempts various creative but comically flawed schemes to steal the sheep. It showcases how ingenuity can lead to humorous failures, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness in a lighthearted manner.
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Persistence
Despite numerous setbacks, Ralph persistently devises new plans to achieve his goal. The recurring theme of persistence underscores the cartoon humor of trying repeatedly and failing humorously, embodying the classic chase dynamic.

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Discover the spoiler-free summary of Steal Wool (1957). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the sun‑drenched expanse of a timeless meadow, a flock of woolly residents grazes under the watchful eye of a towering guardian. Here the everyday rhythm of a pastoral workplace is punctuated by a clock‑like whistle that signals the start and stop of a peculiar shift. At the heart of this routine stand two iconic figures: the crafty Ralph Wolf, whose eyes constantly scan for an opening, and the imposing Sam Sheepdog, whose steady stance promises order. Their relationship is built on a friendly rivalry that feels more like a never‑ending game than a genuine conflict.
The short embraces a slap‑slap style of comedy, where physics bend to the whims of imagination and every scheme is laced with hyper‑exaggerated timing. Ralph responds to the challenge with an ever‑growing arsenal of cartoon contraptions—a lasso, a cannon, a string of firecrackers, and even a giant rubber band—each more outlandish than the last. Across the field, Sam meets every ruse with a calm, almost zen‑like composure that turns the wolf’s ingenuity into a series of lighthearted pratfalls. The humor is visual and kinetic, relying on rapid pacing, exaggerated expressions, and the satisfying rhythm of cause and absurd effect.
The atmosphere is bright and breezy, bathed in pastel tones that echo classic animation while the soundtrack swings between whimsical whistles and playful percussion. Though the wolf’s ambition is clear, the constant back‑and‑forth between the two characters creates a delightful tension that invites the audience to wonder which clever trick will surface next. The world feels both simple and endlessly inventive, offering a charming snapshot of a day where the chase itself is the comedy, and the meadow becomes a stage for endless, good‑natured mayhem.
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