Two frenemies, one grape, zero dignity—Looney Tunes before it was Looney Tunes.
The fox and crow are sharing grapes while the crow reads a book about a similar fox and crow sharing grapes who eventually fought it out for the last one. What a coincidence... at that moment, there is only one grape left. Both try to pretend they don't want it but each secretly tries to make off with the last grape first. They try using a fishing rod only to hook each other. The crow sneaks across in a pair of underwear but is discovered by the fox. The crow tries sleepwalking but is again discovered. After feuding with each other through the phone, they attack each other and a free-for-all ensues. Finally, the crow decides this sparring isn't worth it and insists the fox can have the last grape. The fox, now equally courteous, offers it to the crow who doesn't want it. At this point, the feuding begins anew.
Writing
Recursive meta-narrative in 1949, absolutely unhinged.
Director
Alex Lovy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 1949 short was produced by United Productions of America (UPA), the studio that later revolutionized animation with limited, modernist styles—though this early work still clung to fuller cartoon tradition.
The fox-crow grape fable dates back to Aesop, but this version's twist—politeness as weapon—feels shockingly contemporary, like watching 1940s Seinfeld in six minutes.
US
