Title: Felix the Big Game Hunter Year: 1920 Runtime: Approx. 7 minutes Studio: Pat Sullivan Studios Country: USA Language: Silent (French intertitles in some international versions) Director/Animator: Otto Messmer Creator: Pat Sullivan Genres: Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Surrealism, Silent --- Overview: One of the early and internationally circulated Felix the Cat cartoons, Felix the Big Game Hunter features the famous black cat setting off on a jungle adventure with big ambitions and his usual cocky charm. What follows is a series of clever sight gags and reversals of fortune that showcase the inventive visual humor that made Felix an icon of the silent era. --- Plot Summary: Felix, eager for glory, grabs a rifle and heads into the wild in search of “big game.” As he encounters lions, elephants, and other beasts, the tables quickly turn. Rather than dominate the animal kingdom, Felix is outwitted, chased, and humbled by nature. With each encounter, he uses his trademark cartoon physics — like stretching or detaching his tail — to escape disaster. The short ends with Felix slinking home, having learned a lesson (but likely forgetting it by the next reel). --- Notable Features: Felix's exaggerated expressions and pantomime storytelling were critical in the success of silent animation. Otto Messmer’s animation was fluid, expressive, and full of charm — often compared to early Disney works. The cartoon satirizes the idea of "civilized" man conquering nature, a common trope of the time. Felix's ability to morph and manipulate his own body was a major innovation in cartoon logic and design. --- Historical Significance: A strong example of pre-sound animation that relies entirely on visual storytelling. Helped solidify Felix’s popularity overseas, especially in Europe, where many versions included translated intertitles. Demonstrates early examples of cartoon surrealism, later embraced by animators like Tex Avery and Chuck Jones. --- Curated Hashtags: #FelixTheCat #FelixTheBigGameHunter #1920Cartoon #SilentAnimation #PatSullivan #OttoMessmer #ClassicAnimation #JungleAdventure #CartoonHistory #GoldenAgeAnimation #AnimationPioneer #FelixLegacy #FrenchIntertitles #CartoonSurrealism #FelixTheHunter