The Phox, the Box, & the Lox

In the tiny, oddly named town of Pudding on the Ritz a cunning fox hatches a plan to get rich quick by tricking a gullible local into opening an ornate chest said to be cursed. The fox uses flattery and slippery logic to push the simple fellow toward the box, promising treasure and easy rewards. Predictably, the setup plays with classic fairy tale conventions, turning expectations into jokes, and the consequences land squarely on the schemer rather than the dupe. The short keeps its focus tight, trading long setup for rapid-fire gags and a punchline-driven payoff without revealing any surprises beyond the immediate gag.

This animated comedy was directed by Steve Moore and draws on Bill Scott's original Fractured Fairy Tales material from Jay Ward's "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show", released theatrically ahead of the live-action Dudley Do-Right in 1999.

As a theatrical short its financials weren't tracked separately, so there are no standalone box office figures; it primarily reached audiences through its pairing with the Dudley Do-Right feature.

Featuring voice talent like Scott Weil, Keith Scott, Jeff Bennett, and June Foray, the short functions as an affectionate nod to the irreverent satire of midcentury TV cartoons. Its witty, punchy lines and archetypal characters echo Jay Ward's influence, and fans of classic animation appreciate the way it preserves that televised sketch sensibility in a cinema setting.

Audience reaction has been modest but positive, reflected in a 6.4/10 vote average from a small sample of viewers. The film leans into themes of trickery, greed, and poetic justice, using concise animation timing and vocal performances to turn a familiar setup into light satire. It's short, brisk, and aimed at viewers who enjoy quick, irony-tinged humor rather than long-form storytelling.