AS THE FLY FLIES-Phantasy (Screen Gems/Columbia-1944)

In this black-and-white "Phantasy" entry from the Screen Gems cartoon studio, famed professor Igor Puzzlewitz demonstrates his Rube Goldberg-ish fly-catching invention, but has a terrible time swatting a housefly in his own laboratory. With story by Ed Sewell, animation by Grant Simmons, and music by Eddie Kilfeather, this cartoon was directed by Howard Swift. Released theatrically by Columbia Pictures.

[@logoboy95returns]

This is the final "Phantasy" cartoon with the Columbia torch lady logo.

[@LDFE2002]

I wonder why they retired that

[@maxiethefox8546]

2:14 "Flying machine?" No, it's Igor Puzzlewitz's fly machine.

[@animejunky2003]

All that aggravation over a tiny fly ??? Yet it’s hard to believe this professor 👨‍🏫 is smart ?!?

[@luisaquintero-kk6jz]

Snapalot

[@joaniefisher3439]

dose anyone else see that the fly is a real dead fly

[@fromthesidelines]

Narrated by John McLeish.

[@smokingcatcomicscollectibl2131]

Ah, I thought so. He was also heard in "The Rocky Road To Ruin", "Professor Small and Mr. Tall", and a number of other Columbia pictures, but is perhaps best known as the sarcastic narrator on Disney's Goofy "how-to" cartoons. The professor's design reminds me of one I saw in some of the later Woody Woodpecker cartoons; little wonder, perhaps, I think The House of White Fang had a few Lantz Studios alums hanging about at this time.

[@robertbowman984]

Professor Puzzlewitz should have been a more popular character. They could've done so much with it.

[@andrewmorrice9139]

So presumably his invention doesn't work on most female flies.