What was the name of the rat in “Pinocchio”? - briefly
The rat that appears in Disney’s Pinocchio is named Cleo.
What was the name of the rat in “Pinocchio”? - in detail
The rodent that appears in Disney’s 1940 animated adaptation of Pinocchio is called Jock. He leads a gang of street‑wise rats who abduct the wooden puppet while he sleeps on a bench. Jock is a brown, scruffy mouse‑like creature with a scarred ear and a perpetual sneer, embodying the classic “thief” archetype.
Key details:
- Voice actor: Jock is voiced by Frank Graham, who gives the character a gravelly, menacing tone.
- Role in the plot: He lures Pinocchio with a promise of “fun” and a “good time,” then forces the puppet to work in a rat‑run theater where he must pull a rope to release a sack of gold. The scene demonstrates Pinocchio’s vulnerability to deception.
- Design influences: Animators modeled Jock on a typical New York City rat, adding exaggerated facial features to convey slyness. The character’s movements were based on live‑action reference footage of a real rodent.
- Later appearances: Jock resurfaces in the 1996 direct‑to‑video sequel Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night and appears in various Disney merchandise, including plush toys and trading cards.
- Literary origin: The original 1883 novel by Carlo Collodi does not feature a rat; the creature was introduced exclusively for the film to provide a tangible antagonist for the puppet’s early misadventure.
Thus, the name of the rat in the Disney version is Jock, a character created to embody menace and temptation, voiced by Frank Graham, and recognized across subsequent Disney media.