Release Date:

January 13, 1940

Main Character(s):

None

Summary:

A young blackbird named Willie is inspired by the idea of the early bird getting the worm and goes out in the early morning to do so, despite his mother’s warnings of the fox. After the fox shows up during the chase, Willie has to be rescued by the worm.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. However, the original title cue still exists, thanks to being heard in the Termite Terrace Christmas blooper reel of 1939. The original title card itself also exists, albeit in poor quality. An accurate reconstruction of the opening titles can be viewed here. The credits were:

Supervision: Fred Avery

Story: Jack Miller

Animation: Robert Cannon

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

The cartoon is in the public domain.

The cartoon no longer airs on television due to the blackbirds being racial stereotypes of African Americans. However, it isn’t one of the Censored Eleven and was included on the “Politically Incorrect” side of The Golden Age of Looney Tunes Volume 3 laserdisc.

The worm’s pants and shoes resemble those of Mickey Mouse.

Avery would use the early bird and the worm concept even better in his second cartoon for MGM, “The Early Bird Dood It” (1942).

What I Like About This One:

The blackbirds going into bed after saying their prayers before going back out to add, “Amen”.

Willie pulling out his book on the early bird getting the worm from under his pillow and trying to tell one of his siblings about it, only to find his sibling’s rear end facing the pillow.

The mother discovering the lights are still on in the kids’ bedroom when she turns off her light.

The mother’s exaggerated description of the fox.

Willie shushing his alarm clock when it rings at 5 am (when Willie was planning to go out to get the worm).

When trying to sneak out of the house, Willie falls several feet off the front step (due to their house being in a tree) but then screeches to a stop on the ground as if he’s applying brakes.

When Willie and the worm come face to face, they run away in fear, not knowing who the other is supposed to be, until Willie realizes that this character is a worm.

Willie yelling down the worm’s hole demanding him to come out and fight with the worm joining him in raving.

The worm telling Willie, “There he goes! Go get him!” and leading Willie to run off. Realizing he was tricked, Willie briefly morphs into a “Sucker”.

The worm making bee-like noises when Willie reaches for him in a flower. Then, Willie tries to reach for what he thinks is the worm but this time is a real bee.

The fox introducing himself via signs, “The Villain” and “As If You Didn’t Know”.

Willie noticing the fox behind him and asking him if he’s also trying to catch the worm, not knowing that this is a fox.

When the fox plays along with Willie’s naivety, Willie describes the fox the same way his mother did before realizing the fox is who he’s talking to.

The worm provoking the same bee from earlier into chasing him before getting the bee to sting the fox. This causes the fox to spill catsup on himself and he runs away in horror, thinking the sting caused him to bleed.

Willie returning home just before his siblings wake up. They tell their mother they would like worms for breakfast, although Willie says otherwise. The worm suddenly pops up next to him in agreement, “Neither does I, mammy!” before realizing who he just spoke to and covering his mouth.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕