The Mice Will Play Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 16, 2026
Movie Overview: The Mice Will Play
| Movie | The Mice Will Play |
| Release Year | 1938 |
| Director | Tex Avery |
| Genre | Comedy / Family / Animation |
| Runtime | 7 minutes (7m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Mice Will Play (1938) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Mice Will Play are led by Margaret Hill-Talbot . The supporting cast, including Mel Blanc and Bernice Hansen , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Mice Will Play does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Mice Will Play has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Mice Will Play
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1938, The Mice Will Play is a Comedy, Family, Animation film directed by Tex Avery. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Margaret Hill-Talbot as Mouse.
Ending Explained: The Mice Will Play
The Mice Will Play Ending Explained: The mice are on the loose after hours in a doctor's office, playing with the various pieces of medical apparatus. Directed by Tex Avery, this 1938 comedy film stars Margaret Hill-Talbot (Mouse), alongside Mel Blanc as Cat (voice) (uncredited), Bernice Hansen as Johnny Mouse / Susie Mouse / Various Mice (voice) (uncredited). With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Mice Will Play?
The mice are on the loose after hours in a doctor's office, playing with the various pieces of medical apparatus. Susie Mouse is caged for research until her lover Johnnie frees her. A mouse orchestra plays a swinging wedding song. But throughout, a cat is stalking...
Tex Avery's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Margaret Hill-Talbot (Mouse)'s journey. Susie Mouse is caged for research until her lover Johnnie frees her.
How Does Margaret Hill-Talbot (Mouse)'s Story End?
- Margaret Hill-Talbot: Margaret Hill-Talbot's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Mel Blanc (Cat (voice) (uncredited)): Mel Blanc's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Bernice Hansen (Johnny Mouse / Susie Mouse / Various Mice (voice) (uncredited)): Bernice Hansen's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Mice Will Play Mean?
The Mice Will Play's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Margaret Hill-Talbot may feel rushed. Tex Avery's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
The Mice Will Play Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Mice Will Play Based on a True Story?
No, The Mice Will Play is a work of fiction. While the comedy, family, animation film directed by Tex Avery and starring Margaret Hill-Talbot may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Mice Will Play?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Margaret Hill-Talbot or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
At just 7 minutes, it's a quick watch.
The Mice Will Play Parents Guide & Age Rating
1938 AdvisoryWondering about The Mice Will Play age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Mice Will Play (1938) is 7 minutes (7m). Directed by Tex Avery, the film runs for 7 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Mice Will Play is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1938 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mice Will Play worth watching?
The Mice Will Play is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Mice Will Play parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Mice Will Play identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Mice Will Play (1938)?
The runtime of The Mice Will Play (1938) is 7 minutes (approximately 0h 7m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.



