The Little Orphan

The Little Orphan

Year: 1948

Runtime: 8 mins

Director: Joseph Barbera

ComedyAnimation

The Bide A Wee Mouse Home has sent the orphan mouse Nibbles to spend Thanksgiving with Jerry. Unfortunately, Nibbles is always hungry.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Little Orphan yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Little Orphan (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Little Orphan (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Thanksgiving

Set during a Thanksgiving meal, the plot unfolds around the feast and the preparation of the turkey. The table, candles, and holiday decor frame the confrontation between Tom, Jerry, and Nibbles as they jockey for scraps and safety. It captures the cozy yet chaotic mood typical of a family holiday cartoon.

Location

Jerry's house, dining room

The action centers in a family dining room inside a house during a Thanksgiving feast. A turkey sits on the table as Jerry and Nibbles scheme against Tom, turning the room into a playground for slapstick chases and improvised traps. Festive decorations and common household objects become tools and weapons in the mice’s playful battle for a full plate.

🏠 Domestic setting 🍗 Thanksgiving atmosphere 🕯️ Festive family home

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:26

Main Characters – The Little Orphan (1948)

Meet the key characters of The Little Orphan (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tom (William Hanna)

Tom is a scheming, easily provoked cat who relentlessly chases Jerry and intrudes into the Thanksgiving dinner. He uses camouflage, a feather duster, and improvised weapons to trap the mice, but his plans backfire in spectacular slapstick. His stubborn pride and overconfidence often lead to comic setbacks that keep the meal within reach of the smaller animals.

😾 Hot-tempered 🧠 Cunning 🎯 Persistent

Jerry (William Hanna)

Jerry is cool-headed and cunning, always looking for an advantage over Tom. He teams up with Nibbles to protect the meal and uses misdirection and quick thinking to stay one step ahead. He values survival and clever planning over brute strength.

🐭 Small but smart 🧠 Clever 🗺️ Resourceful

Nibbles

Nibbles is a hungry, energetic orphan mouse who drives much of the action with his appetite and curiosity. Although small, he is fearless and eager to partake in the feast, often prompting chaotic situations that Jerry must manage. His bold appetite adds tension and momentum to the chase.

🐭 Hungry 🧠 Cunning 🪶 Playful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:26

Major Themes – The Little Orphan (1948)

Explore the central themes of The Little Orphan (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Conflict

Tom and Jerry’s rivalry drives the action, with each chase escalating through disguises and booby traps around the dining table. The humor comes from over-the-top slapstick as plans backfire and misdirection shifts the momentum. The battle for the meal frames the core tension of the story.

🍽️ Hunger

Nibbles’s voracious appetite pushes the plot forward, turning everyday food into coveted prizes. The quest for bites of turkey and other dishes fuels reckless antics and creative escapes. Appetite influences both risk and reward, shaping the short’s rhythm and humor.

🤝 Teamwork

Jerry teams up with Nibbles to protect the meal, combining patience and quick thinking with bold, cheeky tricks. Their collaboration counters Tom’s brute force and demonstrates how small players can outsmart a larger foe. The holiday setting amplifies the sense that cooperation can triumph over rivalry.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:26

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Little Orphan

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Little Orphan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Little Orphan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Little Orphan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Little Orphan, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Little Orphan Summary

The Little Orphan Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Little Orphan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Little Orphan Timeline

More About The Little Orphan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Little Orphan: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Little Orphan

Explore More About Movie The Little Orphan

The Little Orphan (1948) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Little Orphan (1948) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Little Orphan (1948) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow