Bosko and Bruno (1932)
Another short film featuring Warner Bros. erstwhile star, Bosko, who chases his runaway dog down a railroad track, and, along the way, also chases a chicken.
Bosko the Lumberjack (1932)
This Bosko short illustrates how lazy these early Warner Bros. efforts were. Bosko’s girlfriend is a cheap imitation of Minnie Mouse, and his enemy evokes Mickey’s nemesis, Pete. At this point, Warner Brothers was not competing with Disney animation, but leeching off their success.
The Shanty Where Santy Clause Lives (1933)
Finally, Warner Bros. animation develops a distinct voice in this short where Santa Clause, looking for a place to spend the night, visits a shanty town during the Great Depression.
Get Rich Quick Porky (1937)
Porky Pig is tricked into giving up his hard-earned money for a worthless piece of land by a con man who’s rigged it to appear to contain valuable oil.
After he purchases the land, Porky discovers the land actually does have oil on it, and the shyster tries to steal the deed back.
This cartoon is the last of three featuring Gabby Goat, the intended comic foil for Porky. Audiences thought he was too mean spirited and never warmed to the character.
It’s fascinating to watch these old Porky cartoons and see how much bigger the character looked.
Porky’s Railroad (1937)
When Porky’s dilapidated train is replaced by a new model, he challenges the driver of the new train to a race. After a series of improbable obstacles and coincidences, Porky emerges victorious and becomes conductor of the new train.
This is a lot of fun, light years removed from the early Bosko shorts.
Porky’s Bear Facts (1941)
In this loose adaptation of “The Ant and the Grasshopper,”Porky is an industrious worker who plans ahead for the cold winter, while his neighbor, an unnamed bear, spends his days lounging around, enjoying the beautiful summer weather.
When winter comes, Porky enjoys the fruits of his labor, while the neighboring bear is cold and hungry.
Porky’s Preview (1941)
In this insightful parody of cartooning, Porky makes a film and invites his friends to see it. Sadly, his animated “film” is horrible, featuring stick figures and minimal animation, like the work of a small child.
Porky’s Midnight Matinee (1941)
Porky finds an ant backstage, and, when his attempts to throw the ant out of the theater fail, they engage in a series of ridiculous fights.
The Wacky Wabbit (1942)
While hunting for gold, Fudd finds a gold-toothed Bugs Bunny in this typical cartoon featuring the pair.
I’m shocked by how large Elmer Fudd was in this early short. Apparently, before WWII, obesity was a national punch line, but after the war there was a collective change in consciousness and these large characters slimmed down. However, speech impediments were, and still are, hysterical.
Daffy’s Southern Exposure (1942)
Daffy Duck defiantly refuses to fly south for the winter, but, harassed by a hungry fox and weasel, changes his mind.
While his temperament is similar to his Disney dopplegänger , Daffy is more mischievous and scheming. In recent portrayals on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Donald has become little more than Mickey’s sycophant.
The Return of Mr. Hook (1945)
This is a propaganda film to sell US war bonds distributed under the Looney Tunes brand.
US sailor Mr. Hook, dreams of returning home and marrying his longtime girlfriend as his fellow sailors regale him with stories of how much money they will have when they return from their war bond investment.
It’s a mildly amusing, but more important as a historical artifact than artistic achievement.
Times have changed in the seventy years since this was released. Today, studios are more interested in antagonizing US foreign policy than collaborating in support of it.