- The Looney Blog
- Posts
- My 25 Favorite Warner Bros. Cartoons from the Late 1940's
My 25 Favorite Warner Bros. Cartoons from the Late 1940's
Jonathan Adair
September 20, 2025
Every time we come to the end of a decade in the case of the 1930’s (link to my favorite Warner cartoons from the 1930’s) or each half of a decade in the case of the 1940’s (1944 and 1949), 1950’s (1954 and 1959), and 1960’s (1964 and 1969) (link to my favorite Warner cartoons of the early 1940’s), I list my favorite cartoons from each period (all of the cartoons that received five-carrot ratings and links to each individual post). I also list all of these in alphabetical order, since these each deserve an equal amount of praise:
Back Alley Oproar- Very nice seeing Sylvester come out on top every now and then.
Baseball Bugs- Easily the greatest sports-themed cartoon there is.
Book Revue- How to make fantastic usage of a formula frequently used in the previous decade (books coming to life after closing hours)
Bugs Bunny Rides Again- The best Yosemite Sam cartoon, hands down.
Bye Bye Bluebeard- Easily the strongest ending cartoon for any director (Arthur Davis, in this case). Also proof that murderers getting tormented is hilarious as it is satisfying.
Catch As Cats Can- Such an oddball cartoon with Sylvester having a different voice and personality, and I love it.
Daffy Dilly- “What’s Humphrey Bogart got that I ain’t got?”
Daffy Doodles- Robert McKimson comes in swingin’ with a fantastic debut directorial debut.
Daffy Duck Slept Here- Proof that McKimson always nailed the Daffy and Porky dynamic.
Dough Ray Me-Ow- A cartoon that defines hilarious and a strong example of why Davis’ short-lived directorial stint is consistently excellent.
Draftee Daffy- Think no one other than Tex Avery could excel at the “character is always there no matter where the other character runs to” premise? “Well now, I wouldn’t say THAT!”
The Foghorn Leghorn- The cartoon that proved Foghorn Leghorn is a much funnier character than Henery Hawk.
For Scent-imental Reasons- The cartoon that made Pepe Le Pew a major character, and also his best cartoon.
The Great Piggy Bank Robbery- Bob Clampett’s anti-penultimate cartoon, and his best cartoon, period.
Hare Tonic- The idea of Bugs convincing Elmer he’s caught the contagious disease, “rabbititus” is genius.
Hare Trigger- Yosemite Sam makes his debut and he couldn’t have gotten a better start. Also contains this gem: “Why did you pour ink on my head?”
A Hick A Slick and a Chick- Whether you’re in love with someone or not, you are guaranteed to find this romance-centered cartoon hilarious. Also features a lovely score from Carl Stalling.
High Diving Hare- How to make the same repeated joke funny every single time.
Long Haired Hare- The cartoon that made me a huge fan of these cartoons since 2013, as well as my favorite Warner Bros. cartoon AND my absolute favorite cartoon from the entire Golden Age of animation.
Mexican Joyride- Daffy finds out why it’s a bad idea to torment the bull at a bullfight, resulting in a very entertaining cartoon.
Rabbit Hood- Out of everything out there that parodies Robin Hood, this one is by far the funniest.
Rabbit Punch- A cartoon that shows both Chuck Jones and Bugs at the top of their game, also featuring a very awesome rendition of “The Black Horse Troop” over the opening credits.
Slick Hare- The epitome of why the late 1940’s was an awesome period for the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. “Why did you hit me in the face with a coconut custard pie with whipped cream?”
Two Gophers from Texas- One of the most hilarious cartoons in terms of facial expressions and proof why Emery Hawkins is one of the all-time greatest animators that ever lived.
What Makes Daffy Duck- One of the purest Daffy Duck cartoons ever made, everything about this one is perfect.
Honorable Mentions (listed in chronological order):