Biography
Pat Sullivan was born in 1885 as Patrick Peter O’Sullivan in a working-class suburb of Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Pat is best known for producing the Felix the Cat cartoons.
There has been controversy surrounding who created the Felix the Cat character. Sullivan asserted that he and his wife, Marjorie, invented the character and featured the black cat in the short animated films, The Tail of Thomas Kat (1917) and Feline Follies (1919). However, Otto Messmer, claimed he came up with the idea of Felix the Cat and was not acknowledged because Sullivan owned the rights to the character. Messmer was a long time animator for Sullivan who ran the production studio for Sullivan as he travelled around in the 1920s promoting Felix.
Family and early life
Pat was the second son of Patrick O’Sullivan and Margaret (née Hayes). His father was an Irishman and was said to be “Sydney’s oldest cab rider.” While Pat enjoyed drawing as a child, his mother favoured a career in music for him. Perhaps his first introduction to his work in later years, he produced a newspaper called Blowflies with neighbourhood kids. To earn money, Pat and his older brother William sang outside hotels.
Pat married Margaret (Marjorie) Gallagher on May 21, 1917. It is unclear how Pat and Marjorie met, but she was one of Sullivan Studio’s female inkers in its early years and later a partner in business with Pat. Marjorie was raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, as one of seven daughters and two sons born to Thomas and Sarah Gallagher.
In 1917, Sullivan was convicted of second-degree rape of a 14 year-old-girl for which he spent nine months in prison. While imprisoned, he was permitted to draw but could not animate. Many of his staff found other jobs, and Sullivan’s film contracts dried up. Since he was imprisoned, Sullivan was not required to serve in World War One. Once he was released, he began animating again with 8,500 completed drawings.
Sullivan struggled with alcoholism for most of his life. By the early 1930s, his alcoholism consumed him. Sullivan died on February 15th, 1933, at 47, from alcoholism and pneumonia.
Career outline
Pat began his career at the Worker (a labour weekly) and the Gadfly (a society/gossip/humour weekly), contributing the occasional cartoons and illustrations under the pseudonym of P. O’Sullivan. He would later drop the ‘O’ from his surname because his initials were confused with another Sydney cartoonist.
He sailed for London in 1907 to further his career. Life in London was difficult for Pat, who eventually sold some cartoons to weeklies, Ally Sloper, Sketchy Bits, and newspapers like the Bulletin and London Daily Mail. By early 1910, London had become unsuccessful for Pat, who sailed for New York and began boxing.
In 1911, his urge to draw led him to the McClure Newspaper Syndicate, where he held a three-year on-and-off tenure. At McClure, Pat was one of the assistants to cartoonist William F. Marriner for his comic strip Sambo and His Funny Noises. He also created a few of his own short-lived comic strips, like Willing Waldo and Old Pop Perkins.
After Marriner died in 1914, Pat continued to ghost Sambo until the strip’s termination at the end of 1914. In the Spring of 1915, Pat began working for the pioneering and successful Raoul Barre’s Animated Cartoon Inc. However, he was laid off nine months later because of unsatisfactory work.
The firing from Barre’s inspired Pat to begin his own animation studio, and by early 1916 he had gained contracts with the Efanem Film Company and the Edison Company for advertising and split-reel entertainment shorts.
Influences
Pat’s work on the Sambo comics inspired him to turn his comics to animations like Winsor McCay and George McManus.
Filmography
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The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg (Short, 1936) (producer)
Backyard Serenade (Short, 1931) (producer)
April Maze (Short, 1930) (producer)
Tee Time (Short, 1930) (producer)
Skulls and Sculls (Short, 1930) (producer)
Oceantics (Short, 1930) (producer)
Hootchy Cootchy Parlais Vous (Short, 1930) (producer)
Forty Winks (Short, 1930) (producer)
False Vases (Short, 1929) (producer)
One Good Turn (Short, 1929) (producer)
Woos Whoopee (Short, 1928) (producer)
The Last Life (Short, 1928) (producer)
Jungle Bungles (Short, 1928) (producer)
Astronomeous (Short, 1928) (producer)
Futuritzy (Short, 1928) (producer)
Outdoor Indore (Short, 1928) (producer)
In and Out-Laws (Short, 1928) (producer)
Arabiantics (Short, 1928) (producer)
Eskimotive (Short, 1928) (producer)
Sure-Locked Homes (Short, 1928) (producer)
Comicalamities (Short, 1928) (producer)
Polly-tics (Short, 1928) (producer)
Japanicky (Short, 1928) (producer)
Ohm Sweet Ohm (Short, 1928) (producer)
The Oily Bird (Short, 1928) (producer)
Draggin’ the Dragon (Short, 1928) (producer)
The Smoke Scream (Short, 1928) (producer)
Felix Behind in Front (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat Hits the Deck (Short, 1927) (producer)
Whys and Otherwise (Short, 1927) (producer)
Uncle Tom’s Crabbin’ (Short, 1927) (producer)
Daze and Knights (Short, 1927) (producer)
No Fuelin’ (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat Switches Witches (Short), 1927 (producer)
Flim Flam Films (Short, 1927) (producer)
Wise Guise (Short, 1927) (producer)
The Non-Stop Fright (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat, Jack of All Trades (Short, 1927) (producer)
The Travel-Hog (Short, 1927) (producer)
‘Loco’ Motive (Short, 1927) (producer)
Dough-Nutty (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat Ducks His Duty (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat as Romeeow (Short, 1927) (producer)
Eye Jinks (Short, 1927) (producer)
Sax Appeal (Short, 1927) (producer)
Germ Mania (Short, 1927) (producer)
Barn Yarns (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat Sees ‘Em in Season (Short, 1927) (producer)
Stars and Stripes (Short, 1927) (producer)
Icy Eyes (Short, 1927) (producer)
Pedigreedy (Short, 1927) (producer)
Felix the Cat Dines and Pines (Short, 1927) (producer)
Zoo Logic (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Collars the Button (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Trumps the Ace (Short, 1926) (producer)
Reverse English (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Busts a Bubble (Short, 1926) (producer)
Land O’Fancy (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Hunts the Hunter (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Shatters the Sheik (Short, 1926) (producer)
Scrambled Yeggs (Short, 1926) (producer)
Two-Lip Time (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat in Gym Gems (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Seeks Solitude (Short, 1926) (producer)
School Daze (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Rings the Ringer (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Scoots Through Scotland (Short, 1926) (producer)
A Tale of Two Kitties (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Braves the Briny (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Misses the Cue (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Uses His Head (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Weathers the Weather (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Laughs It Off (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Fans the Flames (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat in Blunderland (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Flirts with Fate (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Spots the Spooks (Short, 1926) (producer)
Felix the Cat Kept on Walking (Short, 1925) (producer)
At the Rainbow’s End (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix the Cat Tries the Trades (Short, 1925) (producer)
Eats Are West (Short, 1925) (producer)
The Cold Rush (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix the Cat on the Job (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix the Cat on the Farm (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix the Cat Trips Thru Toyland (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix the Cat Busts Into Business (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Trifles with Time (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Dopes It Out (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Finds ‘Em Fickle (Short, 1925) (producer)
The Cat and the Kit (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Gets the Can (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Monkeys with Magic (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Outwits Cupid (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Full o’ Fight (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Gets His Fill (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Rests in Peace (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Follows the Swallows (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix All Puzzled (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Wins and Loses (Short, 1925) (producer)
Felix Minds His Business (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Finishes First (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Fairy Tales (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Finds Out (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Grabs His Grub (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Brings Home the Bacon (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Cashes In (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Goes West (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix ‘Hyps’ the Hippo (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix All Balled Up (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Out of Luck (Short, 1924) (producer)
Baffled by Banjos (Short, 1924) (producer)
Friend in Need (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Puts It Over (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Pinches the Pole (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Doubles for Darwin (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Tries to Rest (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Crosses the Crooks (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Hits the Hipps (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Loses Out (Short, 1924) (producer)
Felix Goes A-Hunting (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix the Goat Getter (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Fills a Shortage (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Laughs Last (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix in Fairyland (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix in Hollywood (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Strikes It Rich (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix and the Radio (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Gets Broadcasted (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix the Globe Trotter (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Calms His Conscience (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Revolts (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Tries for Treasure (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix Win’s Out (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix the Ghost Breaker (Short, 1923) (producer)
Felix in the Bone Age (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Gets Left (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Lends a Hand (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix on the Trail (Short, 1922) (producer)
Fifty-Fifty (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Turns the Tide (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Minds the Kid (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Wakes Up (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Gets Revenge (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Finds a Way (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix in the Swim (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Comes Back (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix in Love (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix All at Sea (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Makes Good (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix at the Fair (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix Saves the Day (Short, 1922) (producer)
Felix the Gay Dog (Short, 1921) (producer)
Felix Left at Home (Short, 1921) (producer)
Out of Luck (Short, 1921) (producer)
The Love Punch (Short, 1921) (producer)
Felix Goes on Strike (Short, 1921) (producer)
I The Hypnotist (Short, 1921) (producer)
Free Lunch (Short, 1921) (producer)
Frolics at the Circus (Short, 1920) (producer)
Felix the Landlord (Short, 1920) (producer)
My Hero (Short, 1920) (producer)
Kill or Cure (Short, 1920) (producer)
Felix Hits the North Pole, 1920 (producer)
Charley’s African Quest (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley’s Reward (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley at the Beach (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley at the Circus (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley in Russia (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley on the Farm (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charley Out West (Short, 1919) (producer)
On the Wind Mill (Short, 1919) (producer)
The Adventures of Felix (Short, 1919) (producer)
Musical Mews (Short, 1919) (producer)
Feline Follies (Short, 1919) (producer)
Charlie Treats ‘Em Rough (Short, 1919) (producer)
II Charlie in Turkey (Short, 1919) (producer)
Over the Rhine with Charlie (Short, 1918) (producer)
How Charlie Captured the Kaiser (Short, 1918) (producer)
Colonel Pepper’s Mobilized Farm (Short, 1917) (producer)
Doing His Bit (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Barnyard Hamlet (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Good Liar (Short, 1917) (producer)
Hammon Egg’s Reminiscences (Short, 1917) (producer)
Box Car Bill Falls in Luck (Short, 1917) (producer)
Monkey Love (Short, 1917) (producer)
Seven Cutey Pups (Short, 1917) (producer)
Duke Dolittle’s Jungle Fizzle (Short, 1917) (producer)
Young Nick Carter Detectiff (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Pesky Pup (Short, 1917) (producer)
Cupid Gets Some New Dope (Short, 1917) (producer)
Them Were the Happy Days (Short, 1917) (producer)
Twenty Thousand Laughs Under the Sea (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Barnyard Nightmare (Short, 1917) (producer)
Boomer Bill Goes to Sea (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Good Story About a Bad Egg (Short, 1917) (producer)
Inbad the Sailor (Short, 1917) (producer)
The Love Affair of Ima Knut (Short, 1917) (producer)
The Tail of Thomas Kat (Short, 1917) (producer)
A Day in the Life of a Dog (Short, 1917) (producer)
Fearless Freddie in the Woolly West (Short, 1917) (producer)
Boomer Bill’s Awakening (Short, 1917) (producer)
The Trials of Willie Winks (Short, 1917) (producer)
Chestnuts (Short, 1916) (producer)
References:
Canemaker, John. Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World’s Most Famous Cat. Da Capo Press, 1996.
IMDb. “Pat Sullivan.” IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838273/.
Young, John. “Sullivan, Patrick Peter (Pat) (1885–1933).” Australian Dictionary of Biography, 1 Jan. 2005, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sullivan-patrick-peter-pat-13209.