The Pointer

The Pointer is a 1939 Merrie Melodies short directed by Clyde Geronimi.
==Synopsis==
Pluto becomes a hunting dog, learning how to point for Mickey.
==Plot==
Mickey Mouse and Pluto are camping in the woods about to set out hunting. Mickey, dressed in a hunting outfit very similar to Elmer Fudd's, reads to Pluto from an instructional book how to point at game and not move. Mickey promises that if they are successful they will have "quail on toast, and maybe a nice big juicy bear steak" that night. After Mickey tosses aside a can of beans in favor of their target meal, they set out into the forest, Mickey carrying a shotgun.
But the first time they see quail, Pluto gets too excited, knocks Mickey over, and scares the birds away. Mickey scolds Pluto, but later softens, realizing that Pluto is a mutt and won't be able to learn. They set off again, but become separated. Pluto again hears some quail, and points at them. He is careful this time not to move at all, even to the point of letting the quail jump up on him and pull his fur. However, Mickey is unaware that Pluto is not right behind him. He jumps down from a rock and unwittingly wakes a sleeping bear who starts to follow him. Only when Mickey doubles around and comes across Pluto, still in his pointer position, does he realize that there is a bear behind him.
The bear appears to be belligerent, but instead of running away, Mickey first tries to talk to the bear, explaining that he and Pluto were only hunting quail. Mickey even introduces himself to the bear, saying "i hope you've heard of me".
The bear instead chases after Mickey and Pluto, who tear a path across the landscape back to their camp. That night they happily eat a supper of the canned beans from earlier.
== Availability ==
=== Streaming ===
Disney Max Plus (2019-)
== Notes ==
*It was the first short to feature the new look that Mickey Mouse was given in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment in Fantasia (although storyboard sketches, still used his original design).
== Gallery ==
The Pointer (1939) Original Opening 1.png|Original Opening
The Pointer (1939) Original Opening 2.png
The Pointer (1939) Poster (with Lobby Card).png|Poster
The Pointer (1939) Merrie Melodies version lobby card.png|Lobby Card
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 1.png
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 2.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 3.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 4.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 5.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 6.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 7.jpg
The Pointer (1939) Cel Production 8.jpg
Category:Merrie Melodies Shorts
Category:Mickey Mouse Cartoons
Category:Pluto Cartoons
Category:Shorts
Category:1939
Category:Cartoons directed by Clyde Geronimi
Category:Cartoons with music by Paul J. Smith
Category:Cartoons animated by Preston Blair
Category:Cartoons with layouts by David Hilberman
Category:Cartoons with film editing by Treg Brown
Category:Cartoons with sound effects edited by Treg Brown
Category:Cartoons produced by Leon Schlesinger
Category:Cartoons produced by Walt Disney
Category:Cartoons animated by Shamus Culhane
Category:Cartoons animated by Norman Ferguson
Category:Cartoons animated by Ollie Johnston
Category:Cartoons animated by Lynn Karp
Category:Cartoons animated by John Lounsbery
Category:Cartoons animated by Joshua Meador
Category:Cartoons animated by Art Moore
Category:Cartoons animated by Fred Moore
Category:Cartoons animated by Lester Novros
Category:Cartoons animated by Claude Smith
Category:Cartoons animated by Frank Thomas
Category:Cartoons with characters voiced by Walt Disney
Category:Cartoons in a.a.p. package
Category:Cartoons with missing Leon Schlesinger credits
Category:Re-released cartoons whose original titles are known to exist