Release Date:

May 19, 1945

Main Character(s):

Daffy Duck

Summary:

Daffy Duck tries to find out why a very stubborn yellow duck won’t stop crying over the contents in his briefcase while also evading a hunter who is a caricature of Victor Moore.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 5-15, the 5th Looney Tune in the 15th release season.

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. “I Go for You” played under the opening credits:

Story: Michael Maltese

Animation: Gerry Chiniquy, Virgil Ross, Manuel Perez, and Ken Champin

Layouts and Backgrounds: Hawley Pratt and Paul Julian

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

Direction: I. Freleng

This is a rather unique cartoon in that the Victor Moore hunter is not only a caricature but he is also voiced by Moore as well, making this is a rare instance where a Hollywood actor voices their own caricature.

This is the first cartoon to use the 1945-1946 Looney Tunes opening theme. This would also be the last release season to use the Porky drum ending.

This is the last Freleng cartoon to have animation by Richard Bickenbach.

In one scene, Daffy chastises the artist for not having put a barrel for him to hide in, like it says in the script. “JL will hear of this!” “JL” is a reference to studio head Jack Warner, who actually paid little to no attention to what was going on in the cartoon department. This also foreshadows one of the most iconic Looney Tunes of all time, “Duck Amuck” (1953).

Daffy also says “Sufferin’ succotash!” near the end.

“Huckleberry Duck” plays during the scene where Moore chases Daffy alongside the fence.

The cartoon was originally going to be included on the Looney Tunes Super Stars Daffy Duck Frustrated Fowl DVD set in 2010, but was recalled. As of this writing, this is the only 1945 cartoon to not be restored, but hopefully Warner Archive will restore it for one of their future Looney Tunes Blu-rays.

A road sign reads “Ross” which is a reference to Virgil Ross.

What I Like About This One:

Richard Bickenbach’s animation of Daffy taking a bath in the pond while singing “Every Little Movement”.

Daffy’s reaction to hearing the yellow duck crying: “Well, rustle my hair and call me ‘Frankie’!” (animated by Bickenbach)

Daffy asking, “What’s all the hubbub, bub?”, to which the yellow duck yells in anger, “Ah, shut up!” Seeing that the yellow duck is crying at what’s in his briefcase, Daffy attempts to see for himself but the yellow duck demands, “Ah, keep your hands off, Mr. Anthony!” Offended, Daffy claims, “Well, I must say, I wash my hands of the whole thing!” (animated by Gerry Chiniquy)

Seeing Moore approach with his gun while singing “A Hunting We Will Go”, Daffy runs off taking the yellow duck with him. But the yellow duck doesn’t seem to appreciate Daffy trying to help him stay alive: “Ah, lay off you- duck!” Irritated at the yellow duck’s attitude, Daffy asks, “Okay, obnoxious. But would you mind awfully if I saved my OWN skin?” and hoo hoos into the distance (animated by Ken Champin).

Moore initially tells the yellow duck to “Stick ‘em up!” but upon seeing he’s so upset asks if he can do anything to help him, but he gets an “Ah, shut up!” as well (animated by Chiniquy).

Believing Moore to be a pushover, Daffy gets up in his face and tells him to “pick on somebody your own size!” While Daffy asks Moore if he’s afraid, going to change his mind, and turning yellow, Moore brings out a frying pan and uses it to measure Daffy. Upon seeing they’re the same height, Moore tells him, “Oh, I’m afraid you’re just the right size. It looks like I’ll have to shoot YOU”. Daffy pretends to be frightened (“I’m scared under destruction. I’m petrified. Look, I’m shaking like a leaf”) but his ducking of Moore’s shot causes his head feathers to stand on end like hair (animated by Virgil Ross).

Moore flying backwards every time he shoots at Daffy while chasing him along a path (animated by Manuel Perez).

Noticing something missing, Daffy chastises the artist, “Hey, what’s the idea!? What’s the idea!? There’s supposed to be a barrel here for me to hide in. It says so right here in the script. Somebody’s been laying down on the job! JL will hear of this!” An artist’s hand draws the barrel which Daffy promptly goes in. The yellow duck is also there so Daffy attempts to trade him for a piece of candy if he can see his briefcase but the yellow duck still won’t let him look and yells, “Ah, don’t try to bribe me!” Taking the lid off the barrel and seeing only the crying yellow duck, Moore asks him if he’s seen Daffy. The yellow duck points upward to the lid where Moore finds Daffy under said lid (animated by Bickenbach).

During a chase alongside a fence, Daffy imitates a man reading a newspaper while riding a bike and then shuts a shade out of nowhere for privacy. Daffy then makes the fence even larger so Moore keeps running into the wooden planks. With both spotting the yellow duck, Moore politely asks him to “be a good little boy and let’s see in that case?” but the yellow duck once again acts like a stubborn brat and refuses to hand it over. Daffy and Moore both walk away whistling nonchalantly before running towards him to grab the briefcase and actually succeed in snatching it (animated by Perez).

Still being selfish about his briefcase, the yellow duck paints a white stripe alongside the road leading up into a stone wall. Without looking, Daffy and Moore crash into it, turning them into ping-pong balls (animated by Perez).

Running from Moore again, Daffy hides behind a tree and puts out a cardboard cutout of himself. Moore tries to skid to a stop, but he doesn’t stop in time and smacks into the cutout. Disguised as one of his “kids”, Daffy pleads, “Speak to me, Daddy! Speak to your wittle boy!” Feeling guilty, Moore offers to take care of him for the rest of his life. They once more become annoyed with the yellow duck who passes by, and also removes Daffy’s disguise out of spite. Angry at being tricked, Moore asks Daffy, “You’re just an impostor, aren’t ya?” to which Daffy sheepishly nods (animated by Chiniquy).

Fed up with the yellow duck’s attitude, Daffy tells him, “Say, I’m getting sick of your idiot secrecies! Give me that!” as he grabs the briefcase away but the yellow duck mallets him (animated by Bickenbach) sending Daffy sliding down the mountain. He goes back up, but gets malleted again and does the same slump down the mountain. The yellow duck also mallets Moore and he too slumps down the mountain. Seeing this, Daffy asks, “You’re not gonna let that little so and so get the best of us, are ya?” But Moore reveals that he managed to swipe the briefcase. They open it and become dismayed at what’s in there. It’s a piece of paper that has the words “The End” written on it (animated by Champin).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½