Release Date:

September 21, 1940

Main Character(s):

Porky Pig

Summary:

A drunk goes to the New Rightus Hospital and visits Dr. Porky Pig for a cure while trying to avoid a trio of ghostly elephants who won’t leave him alone.

That’s Not All, Folks:

Ironically, Porky’s previous cartoon, “Patient Porky” had him go to the hospital while this one has him as a doctor at another hospital.

The title is a play on “Calling Dr. Kildare”.

This is the first cartoon to use the 1940-1941 Looney Tunes intro. This intro featured a still of Porky in the drum from the familiar closing.

This is the first Freleng cartoon with Porky where Porky has very little to do.

Part of the cartoon’s score is heard on The Carl Stalling Project Volume 2 CD.

What I Like About This One:

The motto for New Rightus Hospital: “We take pains- we have lots of patients”.

The cartoon’s title being indirectly mentioned when the operator gets someone asking for Dr. Kildare. She tells the person calling, “Sorry, you got the wrong picture” (animated by Cal Dalton).

One of the patients is shown in a filing cabinet! In addition, when asked if he’s feeling alright, his response is “Mmm, could be”. (animated by Dalton)

The drunk’s hiccuping interrupting him, causing him to say most synonyms for doctor (animated by Herman Cohen).

The drunk hears the elephants imitating his hiccups (animated by Dalton), and upon noticing the elephants (animated by Cohen), runs away from them. “130 million people, and they gotta pick on me!” (animated by Dalton).

Porky dealing with a patient (a bear) who has had dizzy spells as his head keeps spinning around and around (animated by Cohen).

After the drunk begs for Porky to help him, Porky has him sit down while he gets him the proper medicine. Then, the elephants come in and continue to torment the drunk (animated by Richard Bickenbach).

One of the elephants getting kicked into the air when he attempts to test the drunk’s reflexes with a mallet (animated by Cohen).

When another elephant attempts to listen to the drunk’s heartbeat, it beats like a wild drumming session (animated by Cohen).

The elephants mocking the drunk’s plea to leave him alone (animated by Gil Turner).

The drunk begging to be let out just as Porky returns with the tonic intended for the drunk. After he becomes sober again, the elephants disappear, much to his relief (animated by Bickenbach).

As the now sober guy passes a circus parade with normal elephants, he sees the ghostly ones in tow! (animated by Dalton). He then runs back in to hide in a hospital bed where the elephants kick him out (animated by Bickenbach).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕 ½