Release Date:

January 1, 1938

Main Character(s):

Daffy Duck, Egghead

Summary:

In his first color cartoon, Daffy Duck outwits hunter Egghead.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. When it was restored for the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 DVD set in 2005, the original titles were put back in (although the ending music is incorrect due to the 1995 Turner print being used as the soundtrack source).

The collar around Daffy’s neck is blue instead of white; this is the only time it’s a different color.

The cartoon’s ending gag would be reused again in the first Woody Woodpecker cartoon, “Knock Knock” (1940). Incidentally, both cartoons were written by Ben Hardaway.

This is the last cartoon to use the late 1937 Merrie Melodies opening theme.

What I Like About This One:

The opening of Daffy and Egghead popping out of separate nuts as two literal “nuts”. (animated by Irven Spence).

Egghead commenting on how quiet it is and wonders if there are other hunters out today. Dozens of hunters pop up and say, “Oh, yeah” in the manner of Tony Labriola’s character, Oswald.

Egghead getting frustrated by a man in the audience (caricature of storyman Tedd Pierce) who won’t sit down. He eventually shoots the guy who does a very realistic “death fall”.

Daffy honking Egghead’s nose by biting it (animated by Paul Smith).

Daffy not being fooled by a “love-lure duck decoy”. He comes back with a sign, “Tain’t funny, McGee” (which is a reference to the radio program “Fibber McGee and Molly”).

Egghead lifting up the water as if it were a rug only for Daffy to bite his nose again.

A “Parkyakarkus” turtle having Daffy and Egghead walk 10 paces back to back with pistols (animated by Spence; this is also the first use of the “10 paces” gag).

Egghead trying to shoot Daffy but missing at embarrassingly close distances. Daffy slaps a “Blind” sign on Egghead, puts a pair of dark glasses on him, and gives him a cup of pencils (animated by Virgil Ross).

Daffy singing his own rendition of “The Merry Go Round Broke Down” (animated by Spence).

Daffy scaring away Egghead’s bullets with a monster mask.

In the end when Egghead finally catches Daffy, a duck from the insane asylum arrives. He thanks Egghead for catching Daffy as they’d apparently been after him for a while. But this duck is just as crazy as Daffy as they both kick and honk Egghead, and “hoo hoo” away into the distance. Egghead gets so frustrated that he too “hoo hoo”s into the distance.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½