Bold King Cole (1936)
“Even an old king can be cut down to size.”
Streamed free from the Internet Archive · no signup, no cost — this film is in the public domain.
Synopsis
Caught in a storm, Felix the Cat seeks refuge in the castle of King Cole, a loud braggart who endlessly trumpets his own greatness. The king's bragging stirs up the spirits of his long-dead ancestors, who march out of their portraits to torment and deflate him. The short blends spooky-castle atmosphere with Felix's trademark cleverness and the lush Technicolor of the Rainbow Parade line.
Cast
About the Director
Burt Gillett — Burt Gillett, formerly of Disney where he directed the Oscar-winning "Three Little Pigs," ran Van Beuren's Rainbow Parade unit and brought a more cinematic, character-driven polish to the studio's color shorts.
Why It’s Free: The Public-Domain Story
Van Beuren Studios dissolved in 1936 and the copyright on this film was never renewed within the 28-year window required at the time, placing the film itself in the public domain.
Behind the Scenes
Released in 1936 as one of the final entries in Van Beuren's Rainbow Parade series, distributed by RKO. It was among the handful of color Felix the Cat cartoons — Felix's only theatrical sound-and-color appearances came from this Van Beuren run.
Did You Know?
- This is one of only three color Felix the Cat cartoons ever made, all produced by Van Beuren in 1936 as the silent-era star's brief sound-and-color revival.
- Despite Felix's top billing, the boastful King Cole dominates the screen time, making Felix more of a witness than the lead.
- It was among the last Rainbow Parades produced before Van Beuren shut down in 1936.
- The ancestor-ghosts-from-paintings gag was a popular 1930s cartoon device, used here with elaborate Technicolor staging.
Reception & Legacy
Regarded as one of the stronger late Rainbow Parades and a curiosity for Felix fans as a rare color outing for the character, it remains a popular brand-safe public-domain pick for its harmless haunted-castle comedy.
The Sunshine Makers
Hunky and Spunky
Tom Thumb
All's Fair at the Fair