In Leonard Maltin's book Of Mice and Magic - A history of American animated cartoons, he tells how the reaction to Tex Avery's 'Red' in Red Hot Riding Hood 1943 was instantaneous, even on the main MGM lot. "Cutters were calling in studio friends to see it. It created such an uproar in some theatres that the management was forced to stop the feature and re-run the cartoon."

Avery is also quoted by Maltin as saying...

"One of the greatest compliments I have ever received in my life happened on the second or third 'Red" picture. Somebody, at night, stole several of the 'Red' cels right off the camera stand before the cameraman had a chance to photograph them. We were all in a panic the next day. Fortunately, I had saved my original roughs, and it was simple to clean up, re-ink and paint those cels. Red was worth stealing ... wow!"

Animators, back up your hard drives.

A frame of Preston Blair's 'Girl' animation from designs by Claude Smith. This image from Swing Shift Cinderella 1945.

Image © MGM from Tex Avery. The MGM Years 1942-1955. Turner Publishing