In one of the opening scenes of Yankee Doodle Cricket, the character Tucker Mouse narrates: “Manhattan Island wasn’t nearly as pretty in 1775 as it is now. Mainly trees, flowers, and stuff. No first-class garbage. No beer cans or old cheese sandwiches. No class, really.”

Just one example of the snappy humor found in this TV special, produced, written, and directed by Chuck Jones. In 1973, Jones adapted the best-selling children’s book, The Cricket in Times Square by author George Selden, for another special. It told the story of a cricket named Chester (voiced by Les Tremayne) who hops into a picnic basket in Connecticut and soon finds himself in New York City. Here, he is befriended by Harry the Cat (also Tremayne) and Chester the mouse (Mel Blanc).

That same year, Jones produced a Christmas sequel, A Very Merry Cricket, which was followed by another, Yankee Doodle Cricket, in 1975. They both feature the same three characters, and the latter is not only perfect July Fourth viewing but also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The special opens with Tucker the Mouse in a library, reading a book titled Oddities of American History. He runs to tell Harry that he found out who really wrote the Declaration of Independence – it was a mouse, a cat helped Paul Revere in his ride, and a cricket wrote the song “Yankee Doodle.”

He has discovered that all of their ancestors played a significant part, alongside the Founding Fathers of our country.

Tucker then relays the story of how all their ancestors did this, starting with his ancestor, T Randolph Mouse, who wrote “The Declaration of Inter-Dependence,” so that mice and cats would get along. He runs it over to have Harry’s ancestor sign it, and on the way, runs into a rattlesnake (hysterically performed by Blanc), who would be perfect on the animal’s flag, which would read: “Don’t Tread on Me.”

As it turns out, ancestor Harry the Cat is Thomas Jefferson’s pet, and Jefferson is having trouble writing the Declaration of Independence. When Harry finds T. Randolph’s Declaration of Inter-dependence, he sneakily leaves it on Jefferson’s desk, and it then inspires the Declaration of Independence.

The cat and mouse discover that the American Colonies are declaring their independence from England and decide that they will help. While scouring the countryside, they encounter Chester cricket’s ancestor, playing music with his wings. They ask if he knows of an anthem they could use, and Chester quickly comes up with “Yankee Doodle,” which he strums on his wings (thanks to renowned violinist Israel Baker).

The three then play it for the entire animal community, including a bald eagle (also voiced by Blanc), whom Chester says he would like to nominate to be the official bird of the nation.

They decide to bring “Yankee Doodle” to Boston, but when they arrive, they discover Paul Revere talking with a cohort about his plan to alert everyone that “The British are Coming,” via lantern – one if by land, two if by sea. But it turns out that the lantern holder is drunk, so the animals quickly take action and recruit two fireflies to act as the lanterns.

Paul Revere is then able to ride and warn everyone. After, T. Randolph laments that they’ll probably never get into the history books.

The special ends with “Yankee Doodle” playing over a flurry of historical images, including patriotic ones, such as the famous “The Spirit of ’76,” painting by artist Archibald Willard. This version now features our cat, mouse, and cricket heroes, alongside the iconic fifer and drummers.

Yankee Doodle Cricket (which aired on ABC on January 16, 1975) is fashioned in the familiar and comfortable “Chuck Jones Style” (with distinct production design by Oscar Dufau) and showcases fluid animation throughout. Of note is the sequence in which Tucker, Harry, and Chester are able to involve other animals in a rousing rendition of “Yankee Doodle.” Also, the events leading up to and including Paul Revere’s ride are handled effectively, with creative use of light and shadow.

Jones’ trademark wit, a part of so many classic Warner Bros. cartoons, is sprinkled throughout nicely. When Patrick Henry declares, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Tucker responds: “Ya know what? He might just have something there.”

And, the two fireflies (voiced by Tremayne and Jones stalwart June Foray) who alert Paul Revere are a funny take on the “John and Marsha” comedy record by Stan Freberg.

In all, Yankee Doodle Cricket is a nice flashback to an era in TV and animation history when prime time specials aired beyond the holiday season, and a time around the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976, when patriotism permeated all corners of our lives.

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Independence Day!