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Shove Thy Neighbor

Name: Shove Thy Neighbor
Director: Gene Deitch, Connie Rasinski
Released: 1957
Duration: 7 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1957

Approved

Director

Gene Deitch, Connie Rasinski

Runtime

7 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Shove Thy Neighbor is a mid-century animated short that prioritizes slapstick rivalry over social depth. The narrative follows a cyclical, reactionary conflict between two neighbors, John Doormat and a newcomer, driven by their pets. The film functions as a closed loop of domestic friction, relying on traditional clichés of neighborly disputes rather than engaging with diverse social identities or complex power dynamics. Ultimately, the work reflects the era's homogeneous social norms, offering little in the way of progressive representation or multi-layered complexity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Shove Thy Neighbor have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses entirely on a dispute between male protagonists and their pets. There is no presence of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives exploring non-straight relationships.

How does Shove Thy Neighbor portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a masculine confrontation between two men. It lacks any meaningful subversion of traditional gender roles or female influence.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Shove Thy Neighbor?

Minimal

The setting appears homogeneous, reflecting the social norms of 1957. There is no mention of diverse casting or ethnic diversity in the narrative.

How does Shove Thy Neighbor represent religion and culture?

Limited

The plot explores interpersonal friction and communal breakdown. It lacks systemic critique or specific religious and cultural depth, focusing instead on reactionary behavior.

Does Shove Thy Neighbor include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative contains no indication of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. There is no evidence of neurodivergent representation.

Present on Screen

The film provides a clear, focused study of escalating interpersonal conflict and reactionary behavior.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks diverse character representation and fails to engage with any multi-layered social identities.
The story relies on traditional, homogeneous social norms that offer no subversion of gender or racial hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Things are peaceful in John Doormat's neighborhood until he gets a new neighbor, and the new neighbor comes with a dog that likes to grab and gnaw on John's leg every time he sees him. Doormat buys his own large mutt which chases the neighbor's pest-pet home. When the two men meet to exchange some bitter words, the neighbor's dog clamps on John's leg, and John's dog is chewing on the neighbor's leg.

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