"Bedtime for Sniffles" is an American cartoon from 1940, the days of World War II, so this one is already over 75 years old. Still it has color already and was directed by the incomparable Chuck Jones, which makes it a Schlesinger/WB production. It runs for slightly over 8 minutes, slightly longer than cartoons did back in the day, and it is a one-man show from start to finish, or I should maybe say a one-mouse show as this one centers Sniffles, a little mouse featured in several cartoons back then, but still sadly he is almost forgotten now. Despite being a male character, the voice actress is a female in her late 20s. This one's for the holidays and it has little Sniffles doing all he can to stay up long enough on Christmas to see Santa live and in person. But his tiredness and fatigue becomes a more and more challenging opponent the longer the film goes. Poor little Sniffles. Can he keep it up? Or will he need to wait at least another year? Watch for yourself! You really should. This is my favorite short film / cartoon from 1940 and at the same time the only one I rate ****/*****. Sniffles' story may be a bit simple and one-dimensional, but thanks to the general cuteness and attention to detail it still works nicely. Of course, the animation is also really good here and this one puts the golden in "Golden Age of Animation". And finally, all the Christmas music in here is a joy to listen to. This one's a really good watch and listen from start to finish, not only, but preferrably for the season. I highly recommend checking it out to the young and old. And everybody in-between. Don't miss out on this one.
12 Reviews
Don't ya know, "sniff" it out.
lee_eisenberg7 September 2006
Taking a slight break from their usual stuff, the Chuck Jones crowd made this short about mouse Sniffles trying to stay awake on Christmas Eve so that he can meet Santa Claus...if he can. There have been so many overly sugary Christmas stories that it's neat to see one that functions as sort of a time capsule. "Bedtime for Sniffles" portrays the titular character listening to the radio, and it's clearly one of those 1940s broadcasts.
Anyway, it's an OK way to pass time. You probably won't have any kind of religious experience, but it doesn't pretend to be that kind of cartoon. I wonder if Sniffles appeared in any other cartoons.
Haxwell Mouse...Ha!
Anyway, it's an OK way to pass time. You probably won't have any kind of religious experience, but it doesn't pretend to be that kind of cartoon. I wonder if Sniffles appeared in any other cartoons.
Haxwell Mouse...Ha!
Christmas-time with Sniffles
TheLittleSongbird13 November 2017
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. 'Bedtime for Sniffles' is one of his better ones, and it is not just because it is a Christmas-themed cartoon. There is nothing exceptional about the story, in terms of structure and predictability, and the cartoon could have done with more kick in places.
However, 'Bedtime for Sniffles' 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. The amusing doppelganger stuff and that Sniffles has grown and evolved in personality since especially his first cartoon helps avoid that trap. The Christmas theme is handled with a lot of charm and heart without being too sentimental.
'Bedtime for Sniffles' 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 summary, lovely cartoon and one of the better Sniffles ones. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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. 'Bedtime for Sniffles' is one of his better ones, and it is not just because it is a Christmas-themed cartoon. There is nothing exceptional about the story, in terms of structure and predictability, and the cartoon could have done with more kick in places.
However, 'Bedtime for Sniffles' 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. The amusing doppelganger stuff and that Sniffles has grown and evolved in personality since especially his first cartoon helps avoid that trap. The Christmas theme is handled with a lot of charm and heart without being too sentimental.
'Bedtime for Sniffles' 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 summary, lovely cartoon and one of the better Sniffles ones. 8/10 Bethany Cox
A rare Warners Christmas-themed cartoon
sjcobert21 March 2004
It's Christmas Eve, and Sniffles the mouse is going to wait up to see Santa Claus making his rounds. Only problem is, the little guy didn't realize just how tired he'd get - or how appealing his bed would look - waiting up that late. For all the hundreds of animated shorts WB put out over the years, this is one of the very few that is Christmas-themed, and I've never figured out just why that is. ("The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives", being black-and-white, doesn't get much air time nowadays.) Sniffles only appeared in about a dozen shorts in the late 1930's and 1940's, and the fact that this little classic is played every year at Christmas time is probably the only reason he didn't fade into obscurity.
Very cute Christmas cartoon.
Mightyzebra29 June 2008
Despite being very slow and boring, this cartoon manages to be worth watching because of the incredibly cute mouse Sniffles (who looks a little bit like Fievel in "An American Tail"), the animation and the music.
Basically, this short is about a little mouse called Sniffles who, on Chirstmas Eve, is determined to stay awake to see Santa. He does things like make himself a cup of coffee and listening to Christmas music on the radio. Will he see Santa?
I recommend this to people who like old cartoons which are very slow and seem like fifteen minutes, people who like Christmas cartoons and for people who like mice. Enjoy "Bedtime for Sniffles"! :-)
P.S You do not have to just watch this for Chirstmas, it is fine for summer viewing as well.
P.P.S This is the only cartoon I have seen of Sniffles so far and I look forward to watching all his others, if possible. :-)
7 and a half out of ten.
Basically, this short is about a little mouse called Sniffles who, on Chirstmas Eve, is determined to stay awake to see Santa. He does things like make himself a cup of coffee and listening to Christmas music on the radio. Will he see Santa?
I recommend this to people who like old cartoons which are very slow and seem like fifteen minutes, people who like Christmas cartoons and for people who like mice. Enjoy "Bedtime for Sniffles"! :-)
P.S You do not have to just watch this for Chirstmas, it is fine for summer viewing as well.
P.P.S This is the only cartoon I have seen of Sniffles so far and I look forward to watching all his others, if possible. :-)
7 and a half out of ten.
Sometimes you eat the pig, and sometimes the pig . . .
oscaralbert22 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . eats you, seems to be Warner Bros.' take on the world situation (circa 1940) in BEDTIME FOR SNIFFLES (which perhaps could be more accurately titled THE LONG FAREWELL). What else could a viewer make of the fact that this animated short begins with the Sportsmen's Quartet singing into the second verse of "Joy to the World," before a jarring transition introduces us to Sniffles singing "Jingle Bells," as the camera pans over to a tiny mouse hiding in an attic, not unlike Anne Frank? Whereas Sniffles could be seen as a child-snatching Gestapo Agent in his previous outing (THE EGG COLLECTOR), now the shoe is on the other paw. Sniffles never sings a Churchy Christmas Carol here, but only non-religious odes to Santa, the fat, jolly old elf. Though Sniffles is not explicitly drawn wearing a Star of David on a yellow arm band, he might as well be. The symbolism of Sniffles' ghost inviting him to lie down and then blowing out his candle would probably mean just one thing to a kid in a war-torn world where Daddies were dying by the dozen daily: Death. Like most Warner Bros. cartoon protagonists, Sniffles proves equally adept playing villain or victim.
Well-remembered Christmas cartoon
jaybee-324 December 2001
Among the many Warner Bros. cartoons shown on television, this particular short is one that all the baby-boomers remember. The story tells of Sniffles the mouse who is trying to stay awake to see Santa Claus. An expert blend of comedy and sentiment with Carl Stalling's musical adaptations and score most effective. Watch this with your little ones (especially if it is their first viewing).
Cute...too, too cute.
planktonrules16 January 2022
Sniffles was a character who appeared in a dozen Looney Tunes cartoons from the late 1930s to the late 1940s. Considering how the style of these cartoons did not fit in well with the edgier content Looney Tunes was making in the 1940s, it's hard to imagine why the character lasted nearly a decade. He was no Bugs Bunny nor Daffy Duck. Instead, he was ultra -cutesy...to the point of being a bit nauseating. If you see "Bedtime for Sniffles", you'll be able to see what I mean...Sniffles is incredibly cutesy. He sings, he mugs...but he also doesn't particularly induce laughs.
Through the course of "Bedtime for Sniffles", there's quite a bit of singing. This, combined with his cutesy voice will make it tough viewing for many folks.
Like other Sniffles cartoons, the animation is top-notch for Looney Tunes. While not quite as pretty as what Disney was doing at the time, this sort of cartoon is just lovely to watch from a technical standpoint. As for the story...well, it's just okay. Sniffles is trying to stay up all night in order to see Santa and he struggles to stay awake. And, in the end, the fat guy shows up...and that's about it. Overall, about as edgy as a tomato...which is why, despite the animation, the short left me cold.
Through the course of "Bedtime for Sniffles", there's quite a bit of singing. This, combined with his cutesy voice will make it tough viewing for many folks.
Like other Sniffles cartoons, the animation is top-notch for Looney Tunes. While not quite as pretty as what Disney was doing at the time, this sort of cartoon is just lovely to watch from a technical standpoint. As for the story...well, it's just okay. Sniffles is trying to stay up all night in order to see Santa and he struggles to stay awake. And, in the end, the fat guy shows up...and that's about it. Overall, about as edgy as a tomato...which is why, despite the animation, the short left me cold.
Thoroughly charming Christmas cartoon
llltdesq25 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is a cartoon in the Sniffles series produced by Warner Brothers studio. There will be spoilers ahead:
While I can typically take or leave most Sniffles cartoons (I like them, but the character is kind of one-dimensional) this one is very sweet and charmingly sentimental. It's a quiet little cartoon-no chase scenes, no cat or other creature to outwit.
It opens with Sniffles singing Jingle Bells and doing some house-cleaning. It's a little before 10:30 on Christmas Eve night and Sniffles is determined to stay awake until Santa comes at midnight. That's it as far as plot goes. We see Sniffles try everything he can think of to stay awake-coffee, pacing, reading.
The pleasure in watching this one lies, in part, in his struggles to stave off sleep in order to see Santa. The beauty of this is in the details around the edges. Sniffles drinks "Haxwell Mouse" coffee, uses cigarette rolling papers as towels and has a garbage can made out of a walnut shell.
Periodically, the passage of time is shown on a "clock" (it's a watch) and Sniffles drifts in and out of wakefulness. When he begins seeing the bed no matter where he looks, it's clear he's all but out. When he sees a ghostly version of himself lying in bed and it beckons him to come to bed, it's all over but the count. The tug of war between Sniffles and his doppelganger is perfectly done and worth the price of admission. The ending is sweet and perfect.
This short is available on The Mouse Chronicles and it and the set are most recommended.
While I can typically take or leave most Sniffles cartoons (I like them, but the character is kind of one-dimensional) this one is very sweet and charmingly sentimental. It's a quiet little cartoon-no chase scenes, no cat or other creature to outwit.
It opens with Sniffles singing Jingle Bells and doing some house-cleaning. It's a little before 10:30 on Christmas Eve night and Sniffles is determined to stay awake until Santa comes at midnight. That's it as far as plot goes. We see Sniffles try everything he can think of to stay awake-coffee, pacing, reading.
The pleasure in watching this one lies, in part, in his struggles to stave off sleep in order to see Santa. The beauty of this is in the details around the edges. Sniffles drinks "Haxwell Mouse" coffee, uses cigarette rolling papers as towels and has a garbage can made out of a walnut shell.
Periodically, the passage of time is shown on a "clock" (it's a watch) and Sniffles drifts in and out of wakefulness. When he begins seeing the bed no matter where he looks, it's clear he's all but out. When he sees a ghostly version of himself lying in bed and it beckons him to come to bed, it's all over but the count. The tug of war between Sniffles and his doppelganger is perfectly done and worth the price of admission. The ending is sweet and perfect.
This short is available on The Mouse Chronicles and it and the set are most recommended.
The best Xmas cartoon short I've seen
Trevor Hallatt9 January 2002
This is the best Christmas cartoon short I have ever seen, I have it on tape and watch it over the Christmas holidays along with 'The Night Before Christmas (Tom & Jerry). Sniffles tries his best to stay awake to see Santa but as soon as he's fallen asleep he arrives.
Bedtime for Sniffles was a cute Christmas cartoon from Warner Bros.
tavm8 December 2008
"In about 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 47 seconds, Santa Claus will be here!" So says Sniffles, a cute mouse from Leon Schlesinger Productions (later Warner Bros. Cartoons) during the '40s. He's trying to stay up late waiting for the bearded man in the fat red suit by drinking coffee, listening to the radio, etc. Will he succeed? Chuck Jones, the one animation director during this period of Looney Tunes-Merrie Melodies that didn't go for straight gags, takes his own sweet time in finding various ways to get Sniffles' attempting to stay awake as entertaining as possible for the next 6 minutes. Nothing hilarious here, just some mild chuckles but Jones succeeds in his goal. I was especially amused by one magazine ad that reminded the mouse of sleep that had a boy toddler in nightgown holding a candle with the slogan, "Time To Re-Tire" which was an actual one for the now-defunct tire company Fisk (there was still one in the Baton Rouge area when I first moved there in 1975). For fans of both Christmas cartoons and those made by the folks at Termite Terrace, I highly recommend Bedtime for Sniffles.
Yawn
Squonk4 August 1999
In this short, Sniffles the mouse is trying not to fall asleep so he won't miss the arrival of Santa Claus. Needless to say, he doesn't have much success...and neither did I. I found the images and sounds that made Sniffles droopy eyed had the same effect on me. This isn't a bad short, just don't view it late at night.
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