Don Bluth's Manxmouse

Don Bluth's Manxmouse is based on the book by Paul Gallico. This 2-d Animation Adaption would be directed by Don Bluth alongside fellow animators Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy

Plot
It is Spring, 1985, in the fictional town of Buntingdowndale, England, A ceramicist who specializes in making realistic mouse figurines, with His friends, the mice, who live in His home and give the Ceramicist inspiration, just completed His 9,998th and 9,999th creations, to be given to the bride and groom at a wedding. At the wedding celebration, the Ceramicist is given a few pounds of magic clay by an elderly man to make something very special. After returning home, drunk from drinking too much cider, The Ceramicist returns home to make His 10,000th creation, as the mice watch in bewilderment. The next morning, the ceramicist, who barely remembers the night, realizes He created another mouse figurine, and checks the kiln, and to His surprise and disappointment, He created an unusual mouse figurine. A Blue mouse with orange ear innards, a body of an opossum, front paws of a monkey, ears of a rabbit, feet of a kangaroo, no tail, and with no expression of timidity. The Ceramicist, who couldn't bring Himself to destroy His failed project, in case anyone saw it, which would make the creator the laughingstock of the town, decides to keep it, as a reminder not to drink too much at night.

The Ceramicist in His sleep wishes that His latest creation would have life. soon, in the light of the moon, the clock struck thirteen, as the figurine started to move, and then became flesh-and-blood. The ceramicist who woke up and saw it, shed tears of joy, knowing that one of His works came to life. but, the ceramicist, knowing that He can't keep the Manxmouse a secret from the town, brought him to a forest where He can live in peace. The Manxmouse thanked the Ceramicist for giving Him life as the latter returned to His home village. As night fell, the Manxmouse encounters a shapeshifting ghost-like monster called a Boggart, said to turn into whatever its victims fear the most. but to the Boggart's shock, the Manxmouse walks through the forest without being scared. however, the Boggart is determined to scare the Manxmouse, even if it took the rest of His afterlife, but before leaving, the Boggart gave a grueling message, "Beware the Manx Cat", as the Manxmouse wondered what a Manxcat is.

Soon, In a forest, Manxmouse is caught by a hawk, but, the Manxmouse enjoys the bird's-eye view of the environment, to the hawk's bewilderment. Soon, the hawk spots a rare cloud called a Cumulonimbus, but Manxmouse, feeling queasy from the high height, falls off but the hawk catches Him before falling to the ground. before saying goodbye, the hawk envies the mouse's ignorance of true fear, and it can be a great help in the future if He encountered the Manx Cat.

At a country club, Manxmouse rests in a tree, until He hears the horn of Fox Hunters, and a large group of bloodhounds targeting a young fox, who hides inside the tree. Manxmouse, who saw this, tossed acorns at the attacking bloodhounds, as He tells the fox to make a run for the forest, which He does. With the fox hunt ruined, the hunters were about to scold the bloodhounds for their failure. When the fox sees the Manxmouse leaving, as night was about to fall, the fox offered to let the Manxmouse rest inside His tail, which He did after thanking the fox. The next morning, the fox wakes up at the sound of His parents. But, knowing that foxes eat mice and not wanting to be forced to eat His new friend, the fox woke Manxmouse, and thanked Him as He put Manxmouse inside a tree, then reunited with His folks.

A few days later, Manxmouse went to a private school at night, where He finds shelter in a library. Manxmouse read some books regarding cats and mice. The next morning, Manxmouse found some food in a cafeteria, but had to escape to avoid being detected by the disdaining Miss Martinet, the English Teacher who is determined to punish who made the kitchen very messy. While hiding, Manxmouse met a kindly girl named Wendy H. Troy, who helps Him exit the school undetected. at Her home, Wendy introduces Herself, and after learning that Manxmouse has no first or middle name, She decides to give the Manxmouse the name called, Harrison B. Manxmouse, named after Her favorite Uncle, and given a coat, bowtie, undershirt, and bowler hat as She taught Him the game of Chess. The next day, As Wendy went to class, Harrison waited outside looking at the clouds. Hours later, as recess began, Wendy plays a game of chess with Harrison, which brought some unwanted attention from the students. Miss Martinet spots Manxmouse and orders Wendy to kill Him, when Wendy refused, Martinet was about to strike Wendy, but, the School's kindly Poetry teacher, Mr. Marrow, told Her to stop, as Corporal Punishment isn't allowed on school grounds, but goes to talk with Wendy in private about what to do about the Manxmouse. At a public park, Mr. Marrow with a heavy heart, told Wendy that She can't have Harrison to be a pet, because bad people like Miss Martinet will exploit or destroy Him as He is destined to be eaten by the Manx-Cat. With a heavy heart, Wendy said goodbye to Manxmouse. before leaving, Mr. Marrow told the Manxmouse to go to a Wax Museum in London, before going to see the Manx-Cat.

Manxmouse travels by truck to London, eating crackers during the trip. Seconds after arriving in London, He is caught by Mr. Smeater, a collector of rare animals, displays Him to potential bidders at His shop. Harrison, knowing that He's not to be used as a display, escapes the shop and hides out in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary. Having lost Smeater and the bidders, Harrison is soon spotted by a wax sculptor, suffering from an art block. the sculptor finds inspiration, and asks Harrison to be a model for a life-size figure of the Manxmouse. during the sculpting, Harrison asks the sculptor's name, which is Bernard. after a few days, Bernard thanks Harrison for giving Him the inspiration to make His Ancestor proud. As Harrison asked where the Manx-Cat is, Bernard says that the Manx-Cat is living in the Isle of Man. So, Harrison heads there by Bus, and by boat.

Arriving at the Isle of Man, Harrison goes to search for the Manx-Cat, and finds Him at the Point of Ayre Lighthouse, the Manx-Cat spots Harrison, but calmly and politely welcomes the Tailless mouse to the Isle of Man. The Manx-Cat introduces Himself as Thomas N. Manx-Cat, and introduces His wife Molly, who will have kittens at the first day of Summer, which is Tomorrow. Thomas lets Harrison in the house and He makes seafood and some fresh water, as He sadly said it will be His last meal, because on tomorrow, on account of a book called the Book of Premonitions, the Manxmouse, will be eaten by Manx-Cat. Manxmouse instead of running away, asks Manx-Cat more about the Book, which Manx-Cat read on.

Tomorrow came, as Thomas and Harrison sadly walk to the site of the Manxmouse's death, Castle Rushen. where the Island's Cats and Mice watch. along with human cameramen to tape the event, and the policeman from London offers to be referee, to the event. as the proceedings started, Thomas started to hesitate and shed tears, saying, that He can't bring Himself to eat Harrison without resistance, even though the Book of Premonitions says to. Thomas asks Harrison to fight for survival, Harrison does that. Then, a representative from the Wax Museum, arrives at the castle. saying that in the book, "If the Aforesaid tailless mouse takes a firm stand, ready to fight for survival, all future events in the book of Premonitions will be null and void. as the Manxmouse and Manxcat will live in peace." with that, Harrison and Thomas celebrated as every witness cheered. Then, Thomas realizing there was some time left, ran home to witness the birth of three kittens. A few days later, as the Manxcats and Harrison watched the full moon, The Ceramicist after hearing from Bernard, His nephew, that Harrison is living in the Isle of Man, visits and informs Harrison that since He left, The Ceramicist had enough of the magic clay to create a female Manxmouse. After completing it, He went straight to the Isle of Man and introduces Her to Harrison. Harrison then declares His love for the female Manxmouse. The next day, Cats, Mice, and the people Harrison met attend His Wedding. Weeks after the wedding, Molly and Thomas look forward to the future, which is the start of an era where Tailless Mice and Cats can live in peace.

Transcript
Don Bluth's Manxmouse (Transcript)