Fraidy Cats

Elements of Frankenstein mythology from Mary Shelley to Hollywood are delightfully jumbled together in a fast paced comic adventure set in 19th century Germany. Wily Rolf and roly-poly Hermann are alley cats with a pretty good life. Using cunning and stealth they easily purloin food from townsfolk and animals alike. But a routine stop at a local mansion, with intent to steal treats from the owners' pampered dog, runs afoul of two burglars, with intent to steal the owners' jewels. In the chaos, Hermann inadvertently gobbles a diamond ring. Now the cats are hotly pursued by the murderous thieves and their equally murderous hound (from whom, to be honest, Rolf and Hermann once stole food). They can't hide forever, and they fear wolves in the surrounding forest, so they try to escape on a sailing ship. But it's guarded by an army of fearsome bilge rats. To get aboard, much to their humiliation, they must strike a bargain with the pack rat leader, promising to bring him a single item to add to his vast collection of junk. The item is a pocket watch -- worn by Dr. Frankenstein.