Release Date:

July 24, 1937

Main Character(s):

Porky Pig, Gabby Goat

Summary:

Porky Pig and Gabby Goat have a constant problem of getting to work on time. The boss gives them an ultimatum: if they’re late one more time, they’re fired. That night, they try to go to bed early but many problems occur that keep them awake.

That’s Not All, Folks:

This was the first cartoon directed by Bob Clampett, who would become another top-tier director at the studio.

The cartoon was originally titled “It Happened All Night”.

Animator Jerry Hathcock, who was otherwise uncredited on Warner cartoons, was to be given his only screen credit on this cartoon, but his name was removed from the final title card for unknown reasons.

This article on Cartoon Research tells you exactly who animated what scene in the cartoon. Also, this is the earliest cartoon to have its animator draft available. An animator draft is the sheet that reveals exactly who animated what scene. For the cartoons, that have their full drafts available (or have their own Cartoon Research article), I will send links to them, and starting from here, point out who animated what scene if animators are either easy to identify or are confirmed by drafts.

The cartoon was later remade in color as “Tick Tock Tuckered” in 1944, with Daffy Duck replacing Gabby Goat. In my opinion, that cartoon is actually even better than this one.

The boss refers to Porky and Gabby as the “Rover Boys”, referencing a series of books taking place in the 1890’s.

What I Like About This One:

Porky and Gabby going out so fast that they pull their garage inside out (animated by Bill Hamner, an animator who was always uncredited).

John Carey’s animation of Gabby pulling down the clock too hard, causing it to ring loudly.

The boss initially speaking to Porky and Gabby in a calm voice before yelling at the top of his voice, “NOW GET THIS: IF YOU’RE LATE ONE MORE TIME, YOU’RE FIRED!” (animated by Chuck Jones).

The entire scene of Porky throwing a shoe at a yowling cat who keeps throwing it back at him (animated by Clampett himself; although Hamner animated the scene where multiple shoes get thrown at Porky).

Gabby spitting feathers out of his mouth when Porky tries to hit a bee with a pillow (animated by Tom Massey: who was another animator always uncredited).

Porky having problems with the moon shining into the house. He initially closes the shade, but the moon moves to the other side and the shade keeps opening whenever he goes back to bed (mostly animated by Jerry Hathcock).

Porky resorting to tying the shade to the end of his bed, but when the shade goes up, it pulls out the frame causing Porky to rip through his bed (animated by Hamner).

Porky getting into bed with Gabby just as the roof leaks. Gabby yells, “How do they expect a guy to sleep with water on the brain!?” and opens an umbrella. Porky tells him opening an umbrella in the house is bad luck but Gabby dismisses it as a superstition (animated by Jones up to here). He is proven wrong when the umbrella gets zapped by a lightning bolt. He then says he might as well try sleeping under Niagara Falls. Cue a whole flood coming down on them (this part is animated by Robert Cannon).

The twist ending: it’s Sunday and their company is closed on that day. They return home and to bed (animated by Hamner). When the clock rings, Porky crowns it with a mallet (animated by Clampett).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½