Pat & Mat (1989 film)

Pat & Mat is a 1989 Czechoslovak-American animated comedy film based on the characters by Lubomír Beneš and Vladimír Jiránek. Produced and directed by Phil Roman and Don Bluth, the film features the voice of Tom Kenny, Jim Cummings, Paul Winchell, Peter Sallis, June Foray, Richard Kind, Jeff Bergman, Joey Lawrence, Ken Sansom, and Kath Soucie.

It was first theatrical feature full-length featuring the handyman duo which after the names were given, the film was given throughout the production as well. Polygram and Universal Pictures both distributed the film as its company’s first time ever putting the animated Czech film since the movie was created, Electric Pictures soon to be appeared in the opening scene and it’s sequel until it was gone. however the film was doing great as the sequels were going through the improvement, and the production was running until 2005.

Premise
Pat and his grandmother Lucy was moving to the new house with their pet rabbit, but he met his friend named Mat which they solve problems to make people happy. but something is wrong, they have to get their friend’s business back from the bankruptcy to save the day.

Plot
The film starts with Pat, his grandmother Lucy, and the pet rabbit Cuddles moving out to green house (which the number 12 is next to Mat’s number 13 house). somewhere when Pat leaves his own new house, he goes to the city to explore. when he misses his old home, he felt alone when he went down on the street. later that his old house was destroyed by the bulldozers, causing Pat to lose his old home. however he got lost in the city of the Prague when the small town went around, when he finds the letter from Rex Bremé which it said “We missed you.” when got the mail. when Pat goes down the street, the wind took him to old town square. he explores the city of old town square, he discovers things (like posters, frog, and paper). when he gets closer to the building, he meets his new friend named Mat. which they go on their adventure (including going to the restaurant, etc.), then they met Karl Mirova which he is talking to them. but they didn’t even talk, so they go to the store which it’s the shopping center. they stopped at the street when they see Marek’s mall, they went to number 13 house where Pat and Mat decided to drink coffee. however Pat and Mat went to the park to see Karel Domova which he likes to paint at the park, when they met him. Karel talks to them on their conversation, however he asks questions. when he says his name, Pat and Mat starts talking for the first time. Karel Domova wanted to paint them on the picture when they asked, then he finished the picture afterwards. Pat and Mat leaves the park to fix TV, they have a short conversation when they spoke about the problems. then they began their journey, when they talked to Lucy and Cuddles. they have a conversation, and they actually went over to the city. Pat and Mat traveled on their journey, and they met Marek Miler. they went to explore the company mall where Marek had, he explains to them that the mall is also in Brno. later when Pat and Mat went to the old town square, they see Karl Mirova again. he complains that the little boy went missing, but he lets Pat and Mat know about Marek’s mall. when Pat and Mat went to the other old town square, they find the little lost boy named Vladimir Slonova crying near the street light. they try to get to call his parents, and taxi what they wanted to do. but it didn’t work, the little boy is still lost as they try to cheer him up. when the taxi arrives, the little lost boy leaves the old town square as it drove all the way home. later, Pat and Mat were talking to Rex Bremé as they found their famous gesture. as they left, they went to discover street lights. when they searched for street lights, they saw a man with a red top hat named Mr. Redlová. they’ve talked to him about lights, but they have to fix two broken streetlights by solving their imaginary problems. Mr. Redlová is very happy to see Pat and Mat fix the streetlights, then they left afterwards. when Pat and Mat were going home, they’re talking to each other when they walked down the street on their way home. the next morning, Pat and Mat goes to Marek’s Company Mall. but it is going to be declared bankruptcy, as Marek Miler (the company owner) apologized them that the place will be closed permanently.

More to be added

Voice cast

 * Tom Kenny as Pat (Mr. Sedlec), a handyman who wears a yellow shirt and a blue beret who solves problems after he moved to the new house with his grandmother.
 * Jim Cummings as Mat (Mr. Ouholíček), a handyman who wears a red shirt and blue & white beanie who is a friend of Pat. he solves problems with the help of his friend, and he usually makes people in town very happy.
 * June Foray as Lucy (originally “Lucy Dolezal”), Pat’s grandmother who lived in Czechoslovakia who moved to the new house with the rabbit named Cuddles.
 * Paul Winchell as Marek Miler, an owner of the company who is a friend of Pat and Mat.
 * Peter Sallis as Rex Bremé, A retired store manager who is a friend of Karl Mirova, Mat and Pat.
 * Richard Kind as Karl Mirova, a Czech wealthy man who is a friend to Rex Bremé, Pat, and Mat.
 * Jeff Bergman as Tomáš Eben, a Czech tourist who explores Brno, Prague, and other places.
 * Joey Lawrence as Vladimir Slonova
 * Ken Sansom as Karel Domova, a Czech painter who appears in the 1986 A Painter Called Karel
 * Kath Soucie as Kathy Miler, Marek’s wife.
 * Frank Welker as The Guard Dogs, the antagonist who are the dogs that chased Pat and Mat.
 * Dana Hill as Mrs. Merlot, a Czech housekeeper who lives in her house with decorated flowers who is a friend of Lucy.
 * John Hurt as Cuddles (originally “Mazlení Sedlec”), Pat’s pet rabbit.
 * Peter Davison as Mr. Redlová

Additional voices

 * Paul Fusco as The man at church #1 and The Animal Control Guy
 * Tress MacNeille as The woman at church and the lady at the old town square
 * Carolyn Lawrence as The lady at the mall and saleswoman at the park
 * Peter Cullen as Old man at church, Mat’s friend, and the man at church #2
 * Rob Paulsen as The person at old town square, and the television host at the park
 * Alan Oppenheimer as the man at church #3, Z. Měnové, and the homeless man at old town square

Development
In 1979 as Tapestry is already released, Chuck Jones has planned for the first theatrical film to be in 1980s featuring the tinkers. which the tinker will wear grey shirt while another tinker wears a yellow shirt, he wanted to find the script and the filming to animate. the teaser trailer began in 1980 where the tinker who wore a yellow shirt was voiced by Mel Blanc, and tinker who wore grey shirt was voiced by Hal Smith when they only appeared in teaser. Chuck Jones wanted to make the animation of the tinkers solving problems, and he can recognize the film’s script. however in 1983, the film’s idea has been scrapped before it was filmed. In 1980s, Phil Roman and Don Bluth gave a green-light to make the animated film about the two handyman since before the names are given in 1989. where Roman said “it was safe to make Mat's shirt red again.” according to Czechoslovakia for their announcement, and it gave a brand new name (Pat and Mat). Universal (or Polygram) and Patmat Film (which Phil Roman founded the company in later 1989 before the Czech founder established the company in 2001) had their first combination to be featured in 1989, and then the film was finally released in November after being filmed between September 1988 to January 1989.

Scenes

 * 1) Opening
 * 2) Moving Out
 * 3) Alone
 * 4) The Destruction of the Old Home
 * 5) Lost in the City
 * 6) Meet Pat and Mat
 * 7) The Talk
 * 8) The Journey Begins
 * 9) The Business in Town
 * 10) Vladimir
 * 11) Streetlights in One Night
 * 12) The Bankruptcy is About to Start
 * 13) Winter
 * 14) The Snow
 * 15) Two Friends Return
 * 16) Solving Problems
 * 17) The People in Town
 * 18) Finding Karel
 * 19) In the Dark Forest
 * 20) The Escape
 * 21) Talking to Rex
 * 22) The Most Wanted
 * 23) The Dog Chase
 * 24) Asking to Solve Any Problems
 * 25) The Prague Rampage
 * 26) The Stormy Weather
 * 27) The Resistance in Church
 * 28) The Runaway
 * 29) The Plan
 * 30) Final Chase/The Dogs’ Defeat
 * 31) The Problem is Still Solving
 * 32) Mission Accomplished/Marek is Back in Town
 * 33) Ending

Sequels
The sequel Pat & Mat 2: Traffic Jam was released on March 27, 1992. The cast reprised their role as the director and producer came back for filming from December 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991.

The third film Pat & Mat 3: Adventure in London was released on July 25, 1997 as Phil Roman and Don Bluth return to their work on the production, however the cast also reprised their roles but with the new characters.

The fourth film Pat & Mat: Journey Into Space was released on February 27, 2003 when the same producers and the directors worked on the fourth project in 2001 through 2002, the film was first appeared on 21st century. Toby Bluth joined the team in 2001 as the film was started filming.

The fifth installment named Pat & Mat: The Truck Problem was released on February 2005 on the same year as Pooh’s Heffalump Movie being released, it was directed and produced by Phil Roman and Toby Bluth as the development was done in the production.

In 2021, It was announced that the sixth installment film Pat & Mat: The Greatest Adventures in Australia is on development which is to be expected in 2026 in associated with Tubi Original.

Spin Offs
In 2014, Darrell Van Citters made the movie called Cuddles: The Rabbit Movie which is released on May 2014.

It was announced the spin-off film called Pat: In The Next Film was released on July 1, 2022, and is on Tubi and Shout! Factory TV as the distribution was acquired by Shout! Factory.

Prequel
The film was being named Gil was being released in 2016 according to Universal Pictures, however the film focuses on little boy (Mat when he was young) and his cat Gil.

Television adaptations
The film was adapted into a 2007 TV series which was produced by Paramedia. the series was created by Ben Bocquelet for The Amazing World of Gumball. It was premiered on October 18, 2007, and it ended on June 23, 2018. the sequel of the series was called Pat & Mat Solves Problem Again! which was developed by Kaz and Darrell Van Citters, it was produced by Paramedia and Xilam. The shows were both aired on two different channels (like PBS Kids and Tubi which is the streaming app).

Film remakes
The film was later remade into a 2009 film of same name which is computer animated combined with stop motion by Nick Park, Steve Box, and Marek Beneš at the following with the film Coraline.

In 2021, the film was later adapted into a traditional animated film named Pat & Mat: The Movie, which featured the characters reprising, but with replaced voice actors expect for Tom Kenny and Jim Cummings. It was released on July 30, 2021, and bombed at box office.

Releases
The film was released on November 27, 1989 by Universal Pictures in United States, the film was released on October 22, 1990 in Czech Republic after the fall of Soviet Union. As the result that the Polygram’s internationally releases the film also, which Czech Republic releases the film usually. The film was originally scheduled to be released on November 17, 1989, but it was pushed back to November 27 of that year to avoid competitions with Disney’s The Little Mermaid and MGM’s All Dogs Go to Heaven. internally that 20th Century Fox’s distribution rights are originally supposed to be scheduled around on August 1989, but it was cancelled on June 1st to have Polygram taking over the distribution rights just with Universal Pictures in US right after Tuffy has being distributed by Polygram with Warner Bros. Pictures in late 1988.

Marketing
The teaser trailer was released on April 28, 1989 when the names are given after they were nameless since it was attached to certain films in theaters, the film’s official trailer was released on June 25, 1989 as it was attached to the other films.

The merchandise has puzzles, toys, plush items, and apparels. The video game and book adaptations were given by the company in 1990, as well the coloring books. The Sprint commercial came out on November 21, 1989 as it features the characters Pat, Mat, and Cuddles going to the park when they meet Karel. KFC has the commercial released on November 11, 1989 which features Mat and Pat having KFC for dinner, also the Pizza Hut commercial was released on the same day where it also features Lucy, Pat, Mat, and Cuddles going to the kitchen as Lucy orders the pizza.

in 1990, Skittles advert in the UK features Pat, Mat, Cuddles, and Lucy collecting skittles colors as they count over to twenty. The KitKat advert in the said country also features Pat and Mat taste testing the KitKat as they were preparing to eat. the said country had the Meow Mix advert in 1991 which it features the characters Mat and his cat Lilac. in The Netherlands released on April 28, 1990, the “Miauw” advertisement was shown that Mat feeds his pet cat Lilac some said cat food. The McDonald’s advert in The Netherlands has featured Pat and Mat introducing the new toy set, and shows Lucy and Cuddles going to the said place.

Home Media
The film was released on VHS in February 24, 1990 by Family Home Entertainment, somehow it was released on VHS in 1998 and 2000 by the same company as well. The film was released on DVD along with the two sequels in March 2002, then it was released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 2009 by Universal Home Entertainment. Tubi puts the film to be appeared on February 10, 2018, it was digitally remastered in widescreen. the film was also in high definition, however the movie was removed in 2020. it was returned to its service on May 1, 2022, when the movies are first added.

In 2022, Peacock has five films streamed on said streaming service. In later 2022, Shout! Factory has acquired distribution rights to the film collection which will be available on Shout! Factory TV streaming service on December 1, 2022 as it was releasing the first five films on DVD and Blu-ray on February 2023

Internet popularity
In 2022, Pat & Mat has spawned the rise popularity as it became an Internet meme. which the scene where the white rabbit named Cuddles is talking to his owner Pat when he said “I know it’s just what’s happening in the wintertime, so we can talk about it later.” as he concerned that Mat is gone, while film was made to be most popular in the countries where it was presented to spawn the clip into an internet meme. however The Little Mole has this scene becoming an internet meme, the film was considered to be made popular at the time. another clip that showed Pat and Mat doing the trademark gesture in the animated film has became a most popular meme in later 2012, as the film became more popular than the other movies.

Slovenia
The television airing has the censored version of the film, the scene is where Pat is getting tripped over the sidewalk was being removed from this airing due to dangerous acts.

Middle East and North Africa
The scene has shown where it may have toned down in Saudi Arabia due to major slapstick that were deemed too dangerous (including being stuck in quicksand, a rabbit spitting grass, etc.). somehow in Arabian countries has Pat and Mat hugging removed from the film, also it may have the scene where Pat gets bitten by a dog was cut due to dog bite and mostly against rabies in MENA.

Switzerland
The one of TV airings have the slapstick scenes being cut due to dangerous acts (like tripping over the sidewalk, dog bite, getting stuck in quicksand, etc.). somehow the airing has seemed to be normal on other television channels.

Turkey
The scenes have shown that Pat and Mat are hugging “as a friend” were cut from Turkish distribution so Pat and Mat can be friends.

Iran
The scene have shown the same as Turkey and MENA, but more scenes is where Pat and Mat goes to church was removed from the distribution without Polygram’s heirs. the scene has shown that Pat gets bitten by an angry dog was removed from same distribution due to rabies to be shown in Middle East which deemed too dangerous.

Television airings
On Showtime, the scene shows that Pat gets tripped over the sidewalk was removed from airings due to dangerous acts.

Box Office
Pat & Mat hits $53.2 million box office in United States and Canada.

Reception
The film was given to approval rating of 89% according to Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a grade of “A+” according to critics when the audiences chose the poll. In 1998, the critic reads that “Pat & Mat is just always better than Tom and Jerry: The Movie.” as the film gave it grade “A+” according to Rolling Stone.

in 1990, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert awarded the film thumbs up ratings on their show Siskel & Ebert. however Pat & Mat had a charming slapstick comedy film about two handymen going on the journey, but they’re extremely clumsy when they try to solve problems. Variety gave the good reviews on the film that said “this film is bravely made of the set up based on the stop motion animation series, Pat and Mat discovers that they’re extremely clumsy. then their journey is probably charming for the slapstick film. plus they have characters that are charming and peaceful.” as the reviews was given.