Felix, a squatty black cat with wide eyes and a recognizable smile, is the first true animation star. His popularity during the silent film era matched that of film stars.
It’s time to watch the screen to sing along with his introduction
The Early Years
Felix’s origins are disputable; but linked to Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer
His prototype’s first appearance is disputable, either Feline Follies (1919) or Tail of Thomas the Kat – but Felix wasn’t the name in either
Adventures of Felix (1919) marked the appearance of Felix as the name
Besides is his popularity, there was a successful transition from screen to print with over 250 newspapers in syndication with the comic strip
Supporting characters include Willie Jones (his master), Skiddoo (mouse), Inky, Dinky, & Winky (nephews, and Kitty (girlfriend)
US Navy Fighter Squadron 2-B chose Felix as a mascot, thus appeared holding a bomb on the side of F-3 biplanes (1920s)
New York Yankees adopt Felix as the team mascot (1922)
Logansport High School (Indiana) choses Felix as the school mascot (1926), and remains so today … although their nickname is the Berries
Charles Lindbergh took a Felix doll on his historic solo flight across the Atlantic (1927)
Felix appeared as the first balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (1927)
RCA used a papier-mâché Felix doll in a test as one of the first images ever broadcast by television (1928)
Felix’s last silent film was The Last Life (1928)
Felix the Cat by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra
Felix Kept on Walking by Paul Whiteman
Post-Silent Film Era
Transition from silent to sound unsuccessful as new characters became more popular
1st voiced by Mae Questral (1936)
Animation transitioned to Joe Oriolo (and eventually Don Oriolo), who produced 264 shorts featuring Felix (voiced by Jack Mercer for 29 years)
Felix, now less mischievous, using a “bag of tricks” became his trademark
First full feature film was Felix the Cat: The Movie (1988)
DreamWorks Animations currently own Felix the Cat
Newer Opener
Honors
#28 TV Guide’s Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time (2002)
#89 British Television Channel 4 poll of 100 Greatest Cartoon Characters (2004)
#36 Animal Planet’s 50 Greatest Movie Animals (2004)
Enjoy this tribute
A Frank Angle 
Thank you, Thank you 🙂 Have a nice weekend, love, nia
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Nia,
Glad you enjoyed Felix … after all, I know you love cats. 🙂
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I remember Felix very well and with much affection.
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Debra,
I can’t say that Felix was one of my favorites, but he is a legend!
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I’m actually too young, Felix was before my time. 🙂
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Catherine,
Being that he started in 1919, that’s before everyone’s time here.
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Ohhhhh – Felix the Cat!!!!!!!! Now, why didn’t Ii expect that?! Hmmmm…
What an in depth post on this brilliant character, Frank! So many things I didn’t know.
But I did know your post would make my Saturday!!!!
Only one thing left now… get me his bag of tricks! 😉
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Happy weekend, my friend! 🙂
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You too! … and a not too busy of a weekend here … it’s cold … very cold (-15 C at the moment)
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Marina,
Felix wasn’t one of my favorites, but the role he played in early cartoons is well noted. I definitely remember more of this early works than the ones than came in the 1950s and after.
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Didn’t know much about Felix as he was way before my parent’s time! So thanks for enlightening me Frank! Hope you have a great weekend!
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Cathy,
Felix is here honoring his early work, after all, he’s the first big animation star!
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Felix was one of the staples of my Saturday mornings! But like you, he wasn’t one of my favorites. But his theme song is now stuck in my head for the day! Thanks, Frank, I’m sure!
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Elyse,
The idea of sparking a continuous song in the head is always high praise.
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Not necessarily, Frank. Not at my house!
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I loved watching Felix as a kid, and he hasn’t lost his charm after all these years. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Like me, you probably saw the older ones, thus the black & white ones served as a reminder.
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Wow, Frank! You put a lot into this post, lots of history and research. Most enjoyable.
I remember watching Felix cartoons as a kid…. now I know the origins & history. Very cool! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend. I think we’re all trying to stay warm, anyway. Even the South just ain’t south enough. 😀
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Victoria,
Thanks for the kind words, but I just followed the format I’ve done of the other cartoon posts. Meanwhile, we had a heat wave today as temps got into the 20s!
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Exceptionally interesting post! Feline Follies is very revealing. Hope you’re having a fab weekend!
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Resa,
Hooray for you enjoying Felix … and of course we’ve had an interesting weekend. 😉
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Felix is a Cool Cat in my book for teaming up with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra!
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Tim,
I included the songs with hopes you would listen to them.
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Everyone loved Felix the Cat! He was so stylish in black and white
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Mouse,
I recall Felix from the B&W days … but not from those from the 50s forward.
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We were taught about Felix when I was taking animation classes in college in the 70s, Frank. One of the things about him that stood out to me in his silent films was his dexterity with his tail. Although the ascent of Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie greatly diminished Felix’s star, it wasn’t that long ago that I gifted my cat-man brother with a Felix clock. If you watch Steamboat Willie, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgghnQF6E4, at about the 5:16 mark, a mangy cat, who looks a lot like Felix — which I am sure was intentional, enters the frame and Mickey trounces him. Hm, was Walt Disney sending a message? One last observation: “Pussyville” — love the name of that town! It also sounds like the birthplace of James Bond’s Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman who played her in “Goldfinger” turns 90 this year. Yikes!). Great post!
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Lame,
Wow … thanks for the extra info as I always look forward to your additions to these posts. Great point about the cat in Steamboat Willie … and nope, I never made the connection, but that thought seems spot on! … Meanwhile, Blackman turns 90 this year? Yikes for sure!!! BTW … August 22nd
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I’m glad you appreciate when I wrap my brain around your SMC posts. I have fun with those.
For a woman who’s older than dirt, Honor still looks good – and she was still acting through 2013 (check her out on imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000303/). Wow.
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Wow … cheers to her activity!
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Felix the Cat is a name that I know well… I could picture him in my mind’s eye and, though I cannot remember ever really watching it (though I may have) I know exactly what he looks like and the sound of that music! Funny how some things just get put into our memory banks, only to be extracted by someone like you who goes way deeper than I could ever imagine. Thank you for giving me even more “useless” (I use the term as in things that I will now know that people will Wonder why the hell I know it!!) information!
Now I’m going to have that tune stuck in my head…
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Dale,
I’m good at useless information, so glad to be of service!
For me, I recall Felix more for seeing the early cartoons, however, I don’t think I ever knew his name!
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Felix the Cat was my favorite show when I was a little boy. I’d forgotten all about it. Now I have to get a t-shirt. Thanks for the 411, and the trip.
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Cayman,
Given that you are a youngin’ … well, compared to me, 😉 … I imagine you were watching those that we developed int he late 50s or later. Where they in color or B? Glad you enjoyed this nostalgic trip.
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I knew about Felix in general but certainly not all of these details. Thank you, Frank! The opening scene video you’ve embedded in the post made me smile 🙂 Animal Planet recognized and all – Go Felix Go!
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Christy,
In the sidebar, see Categories > Entertainment > Saturday Morning Cartoons … you will notice that I’ve done my share of these, thus probably many characters with whom you are more familiar. For a youngster, at least you knew Felix!
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I used to love the Felix cartoons, but had no idea he started out in silent films.
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LB,
I imagine you saw the color versions … so yes yes … Felix goes way back!
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I feel enlightened… I didn’t know a thing about Felix the Cat.
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Trent,
Glad to help … and I didn’t know much about him either until the research.
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What a neat post. I remember Felix, but not as in-depth as what you’ve provided here. This was a fun read and enjoyed the youtube additions. Hope you’ve had a nice weekend ~
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Mary,
Fun reads are important for the weekends! .. .and it’s important to add meaningful videos … well, when I can find them. 😉
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I always look forward to your posts, they are like little presents ~ have a lovely night.
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Well thank you for those kind words.
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Oh my… this is dating me… as I Do remember this little chap Felix on cartoons.. 🙂 Wonderful to learn some of the History behind him. 😀
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Sue,
Don’t worry about dating yourself because you are in good company! 😉 Glad you enjoyed a bit of Felix trivia.
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I got to know the black & white Felix about ten years ago. They’re in the public domain and I would download them for my youngest daughter to watch. I ended up enjoying them much more than she did. 🙂
I see a lot of Felix in the early Betty Boop cartoons with the almost psychedelic scene transitions, the musical tracks and fantastic story lines.
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Yahooey,
Wow … great story involving you and your daughter. Going off of memory, I think their is a tie to one of the original animators to the studio that created Betty Boop. Meanwhile, because you mentioned her, here’s the post about Betty. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/on-the-first-sex-symbol/ … Enjoy.
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This is so fun for me to read, Frank. I loved Felix when I was a child, and I guess I still do! There is a Felix Chevrolet in Los Angeles with a huge vintage sign of Felix, and I get such a kick out of it whenever we are nearby. I really enjoyed these videos, and I’m going to be humming the familiar tune tomorrow. 🙂
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Debra,
Believe it or not, Felix Chevrolet was mentioned in my research, but to be honest, I can’t specifically recall the reference. Besides, I hedge against providing wrong information. Glad you enjoyed Felix!
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i wasn’t a big fan of felix, but i will always remember when he was hiding behind a rock or something while looking at something dangerous. he said, “i wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole.” reaches behind him. “luckily, i have an eleven-foot pole.”
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Rich,
Oh my …. Felix did that line? Gotta love the the 11-foot pole! Meanwhile, I wasn’t a big Felix fan either, but he was worthy of the honor here.
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i remember watching as a kid and hearing the villain’s name, “the master cylinder.” then one day i’m with my father as he’s working on a car, and he mentions the master cylinder. that threw me for a loop.
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ha ha … but that is a good name for a villain … well, for those days.
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