Release Date:

November 20, 1943

Main Character(s):

Daffy Duck

Summary:

Commando Daffy Duck heckles Nazi bird Von Vultur and his silent, short assistant, Schultz.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 12-13, the 12th Looney Tune in the 13th release season. This is also the sixth Looney Tune in color.

This is the first cartoon to use an original tune by Carl Stalling that would later become famous as Bugs Bunny’s dance that was used in “Stage Door Cartoon” (1944), “Bugs Bunny Rides Again” (1948), and “Hot Cross Bunny”. In this case, it plays when Daffy performs a shadow of dancing girls in front of the spotlight with his hands.

The cartoon no longer airs on television due to heavy wartime references.

When attempting to call Schultz on the phone, Von Vultur instead gets Myrt from “The Fibber McGee and Molly” radio program. This was also referenced in Tex Avery’s first MGM cartoon, “Blitz Wolf” (1942) where the Hitler wolf orders for everything to be quiet so he can answer a phone call- which is also from Myrt of Fibber McGee and Molly.

“The Toy Trumpet” plays under the opening credits.

Porky is featured in the intro, despite not appearing.

The cartoon is in the public domain and is also the latest color Warner cartoon to be in the public domain.

What I Like About This One:

The rendition of “The Toy Trumpet” over the opening credits as well as the image on the title card of Daffy slingshotting a Nazi soldier in the rear end.

Hitler’s letter to Von Vultur: “Dumkobf! If vun more commando gets through, it’s your ka-rear!!- The Apes of Wrath” An illustration shows the Axis leaders as the three monkeys: Hitler as “See No Evil”, Tojo as “Speak No Evil”, and Mussolini as “Hear No Evil”.

When Von Vultur first calls for Schultz, Schultz marches in tune to a drumroll, and accidentally kicks Von Vultur in the rear. In response, Von Vultur mallets him, where his helmet compresses most of his body down to his feet (animated by Gerry Chiniquy).

Schultz being unable to see due to still being compressed in his helmet, resulting in him walking into the wall of Von Vultur’s hideout instead of the hideout’s door (animated by Chiniquy).

Realizing there’s someone outside, Von Vultur has Schultz put the spotlight on what’s parachuting down (animated by Jack Bradbury): Daffy singing “She Was Poor, But She Was Honest” in a Cockney accent (animated by Gil Turner).

Daffy yelling “PUT OUT THOSE LIGHTS!” Offscreen, Schultz does so but Von Vultur mallets him for his error (animated by Turner).

Daffy’s shadow trick of a chorus line dancing where he has his hands dance in front of the spotlight. Schultz wolf-whistles and applauds, and the next time Von Vultur attempts to mallet him, Schultz removes his helmet, causing Von Vultur’s mallet to vibrate (animated by Ken Champin).

After he finishes fooling around with the spotlight, Daffy goes behind a curtain that he pulls in out of nowhere. Von Vultur pulls it up and gets scared by a goony face that Daffy makes at him, retreating to his hideout (animated by Champin).

Hearing a knock at his door, Von Vultur opens it. It’s Daffy asking him what time it is. Von Vultur tells him, “When you hear the tone, it will be exactly 6:45 and one quarters”. He calls Schultz over to mallet him again. Setting a time bomb to 6:45 and one quarter, Daffy gives the explosive to Von Vultur as a “little going away present”. Realizing it’s a bomb, Von Vultur gives it to Schultz, blowing him up into the air. Hearing Von Vultur call out to him again, Schultz stops in mid-air and comes back down. This time, Daffy appears out of Schultz’s helmet and stops Von Vultur from malleting him so Daffy can mallet Von Vultur himself! (animated by Turner)

Von Vultur stopping mid-chase to “Heil Hitler!” A skunk is then seen passing by! (animated by Bradbury)

Daffy then heads into the telephone booth where Von Vultur opens it. Daffy tells him in German to wait his turn and pulls out a card to translate it for the audience. He then asks for a nickel in German and translates that too. When he’s done, Daffy tells Von Vultur, “It’s all yours, Von Limberger!” and translates that in German! (animated by Chiniquy)

Zooming up into the air via plane, Daffy is confronted by “Messerschmidts! A whole mess of Messerschmidts!” They fire, but only succeed in destroying their planes! Watching them fall, Daffy emphasizes, “A MESS of Messerschmidts!” (animated by Phil Monroe)

Daffy unknowingly walks into an artillery cannon which Von Vultur fires (“Now try and duck this one, you duck!”). He blasts out of it in a patriotic uniform labeled, “The Human Cannonball” (animated by Richard Bickenbach).

The very satisfying ending: Daffy lands behind Hitler where the Fuhrer is giving a nonsensical speech. He then crowns Hitler with a mallet, which is an awesome image itself, since it’s one of the most universally-loved cartoon characters attacking one of the most universally-loathed (and rightfully so) dictators. All Hitler can do is yell, “SCHULTZ!” as the cartoon irises out (animated by Bickenbach).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕