Meet John Doughboy (1941)
This humorous look at military life premiered just before US entry into World War II and provides insight into American attitudes before the war.
Porky’s Hare Hunt (1938)
This short features an early version of Bugs Bunny with Porky Pig playing the role now usually reserved for Elmer Fudd.
Jeepers Creepers (1939)
When police officer Porky investigates a haunted house, the resident ghosts torment him.
The film ends with a bizarre, racist scene when Porky’s car backfires as he’s fleeing the house. The exhaust covers one of the ghosts who then impersonates Rochester.
This short demonstrates why Porky lost his place as the preeminent Looney Tunes character. After the war, US audiences wanted to see decisive, action oriented characters, not passive, wavering characters like Porky.
Little Beau Porky (1936)
Inexplicably, Porky’s in the French Foreign Legion. His platoon goes to battle, but he’s so large and worthless, they purposefully leave him behind. While everyone is gone, he accidentally captures a wanted criminal.
Once again, I’m surprised how large Porky is and how much of the humor stems from his size.