Chuck Jones is widely considered one of animation's finest directors/animators and for very good reason. When he was at his best, his cartoons were masterpieces of animation, comic timing, characterisation and wit.The Sniffles cartoon series were very early efforts for Jones, and, while they are interesting from a historical perspective, it is safe to say that from personal opinion they really don't see him at his best. There is somewhat of a still finding his feet feel here, with the humour once he became a regular director for the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons becoming much funnier, more constant and wittier and the characterisation far more interesting.Not all the Sniffles cartoons have worked for me, though none of them are unwatchable. 'Lost and Foundling' is one of his better ones. There is nothing exceptional about the story, in terms of structure and predictability, and the ending is far too pat.However, 'Lost and Foundling' is charming and heart-warming, although there is a sweetness it's not too saccharine and it doesn't despite the theme try as hard as other Sniffles cartoon to be too cute. There are amusing, if never quite hilarious, moments and Sniffles has evolved and is more than a typical cloyingly sweet character. Orville is a nice supporting character, and the tension and fun between them charms.'Lost and Foundling's' animation is very good. It is lush and vibrant in colour and meticulous and beautifully drawn in detail. The character designs are fluid, well drawn and distinctive Jones, if not the creative ones of his very best cartoons. Carl Stalling's music is lush and characterful, with clever orchestration and a mastery of not just adding to the action but enhancing it as well (Stalling was a near-unequalled master at this, though Scott Bradley gave him a run for his money).In conclusion, very nicely done for what it was. 8/10 Bethany Cox

. . . reflects Warner Bros.' concern that the soon-to-become-rampant American practice of adopting "War Orphans" might be saving some wear and tear on the innards of American Womanhood, but at what cost to Society? Sniffles Mouse plays the role of a typical U.S. citizen here, brain-washed from birth to be Politically Correct, Open-Armed, Tolerant, and Trusting. When a hawk's egg rolls down his mouse hole into his bed and hatches baby Orville, Sniffles immediately bathes, dries, and diapers this repulsive young rodent predator, as any "Good American" is brow-beaten to do. Sniffles is worn down to a point of extinction even before he learns that the ugly bird is his Natural Mortal Enemy. As Orville the Hawk is stuffing Sniffles between two slices of bread, Warner obviously wants its audience to be thinking of Real Life instances in which Foreign Adoptees--never Fully Vetted--became Small Assassins (as in the recent live action feature ORPHAN). How many kiddie MANCHURIAN CANDIDATES can America host, asks Warner, before we're not America any longer? Sadly, despite Warner's attempt to give Sniffles' Adoption Agonies an upbeat conclusion, Warner's general warning mostly fell upon deaf ears. Otherwise, how can you explain the fact that nowadays no major political party seems to be able to field viable candidates--even for the U.S. Presidency itself--whose Ma and Pa are BOTH U.S. citizens?

Hi, I remember this cartoon when I was a little girl and have now been trying to explain to my daughters what Orville the Hawk was saying when Sniffles was giving him a piggy back ride. To this day I can't figure it out ... would anyone know what he was saying??? When Sniffles would piggy ride him Orville would say a little phrase and I'm perplexed by this. I'm now trying to find the cartoon so I'll be able to hear it over and over again! Nutty I know, but when something is as perplexing as this, you just GOTTA KNOW!! If anyone knows what Orville was saying PLEASE POST AND HELP ME SOLVE THIS! Thanks & Cheers from Vegas :) So I have to keep writing because IMDb says I need to post at least 10 lines! How many do I have so far?? Too Funny!

When a bird egg rolls away from it's nest, it ends up in the house of a mouse. When the egg hatches the mouse looks after the bird, thinking it a kitten. When it grows too big for the house the mouse looks up in a book to find out what type of chicken the bird is. However when he finds it is a hawk that eats mice, trouble beginsStarting with a cute animation that makes it look more like those worthless cartoons that get shown at Christmas time, I was immediately put on the defensive. Usually I like the cartoons that have a sharp, imaginative wit about them and I assumed this wouldn't have that. Happily I was off as the main body of the short is a pretty funny game of cat & mouse (bird & mouse).The characters aren't great but they are supported by good action - the mouse and the bird didn't really grab me but I was amused enough not to be bothered. The ending is a little pat and lacks humour, although it is quite nice.Overall this is a funny little short, certainly better than the animation style would suggest.