Release Date:

October 22, 1938

Main Character(s):

Egghead

Summary:

The story of Captain Johnny Smith (Egghead) who is saved by Indian princess Poker-Huntas.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. The original title card can be seen here, albeit in poor quality. “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean” played under the opening credits:

Supervision: Fred Avery

Story: Rich Hogan

Animation: Paul Smith

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

This is the last cartoon to use the 1937-1938 Merrie Melodies end theme.

What I Like About This One:

The opening title card saying “This picture is dedicated to the 7,500,000,000 (etc., with tons of zeros that slide down to the bottom of the screen so we know there are that many) people, whose ancestors came over on the Mayflower”.

The side of the ship having “March Flower” and “April Flower” being crossed out on the side of the ship with the final name being “May Flower” (and funnily enough, I’m writing about this cartoon today on May 1).

Egghead knocking down the letters in the subtitle “Captain Johnny Smith” (animated by Irven Spence).

Indians getting their haircuts at a barber shop teepee with the sign “Scalp Treatment” which gives them mohawks.

An Indian having a live turkey as his headdress who also keeps a lookout.

The chief’s name being “Chief No Squat No Stoop No Squint”.

Egghead getting trampled by his crew of Pilgrims when he calls, “Last one off is a rotten egg!” (animated by Spence).

When Egghead approaches a “Beware of Scalpers” sign, the chief offers him two tickets to the “Rose Bull” football game. Egghead turns the offer down as he has six tickets to sell himself, due to being an “aluminus”. The Indians then chase him (animated by Spence).

The Management holding up a card announcing, “Due to the length of our program, it will be necessary to cut short this thrilling chase between Captain Johnny Smith and the Indians”. It then shows another card, “Is that OK with you, Mr. Smith?” in front of Egghead which he reads himself. He says it’s okay with him and that he will never be caught because he’s too fast for them….

….but when we cut to the next scene, the Indians have indeed caught him and put him on the chopping block.

An Indian’s breath being so powerful that it breaks the glass for an axe with the label, “In Case of Fire, Break Glass”.

Poker-Huntas being informed on Egghead about to be decapitated via radio. She comments, “Ooh, I better get going!” The radio replies, “Yes, you better, sister! If you want this picture to have a happy ending!”

When Egghead and Poker-Huntas flee, they stop mid-chase to have their picture taken.

Before the Indians chase them, they count by 5’s as if they were playing hide and seek.

The Indians’ vehicles crashing into piles of logs and stones which causes it to create a log cabin (with the stones being for the chimney).

Indian policemen accidentally going off without their motorbikes (animated by Spence).

In the end, years later, Egghead and Poker-Huntas are happily married with lots of baby Eggheads and baby Indians. One of them crawls through the iris-out just as it starts to close.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕