Release Date:

February 6, 1937

Main Character(s):

Porky Pig

Summary:

Porky Pig competes in an auto race with several Hollywood stars. The villain of the race is “Borax Karoff” (a play on Boris Karloff).

That’s Not All, Folks:

Tashlin debuts yet another trait of his- an opening card (before the credits) that tells us “all the characters in this picture are strictly phoney”. He would later use this type of opening in “Porky’s Building” from the same year.

Caricatures in the cartoon include Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields, Edna May Oliver, Greta Garbo, Charles Laughton, Boris Karloff (as the aforementioned villain), Stepin Fetchit, George Arliss, Leslie Howard, Freddie Bartholomew, John Barrymore, Elaine Barrie, and Clark Gable.

The cartoon was originally titled “Porky’s Auto Race”.

What I Like About This One:

Laurel and Hardy using a seesaw to pump up a tire.

Charlie Chaplin accidentally wrenching WC Fields’ nose.

Charles Laughton’s car having an engine in a bathtub (labeled “Floating Power”).

“Calling all stars!” instead of “Calling all cars!” (this makes sense because Porky is now the studio’s main cartoon star and he’s competing against several Hollywood stars).

All the cars starting off to the tune of “Shave and a Haircut”.

WC Fields using his nose as a horn (when he passes George Arliss, Leslie Howard, and Freddie Bartholomew, all of whom are in the same car, “The Cheerio Special”).

When Borax Karoff spreads tacks on the racetrack, Charles Laughton picks them up with a fishing pole and magnet. Karoff instead throws a torpedo at Laughton’s engine, causing him to say, “It’s mutiny!”

Porky getting through Karoff’s glue trap and crashing into some bricks. The bricks act like treads on Porky’s tires. They prove useful when Karoff squirts grease on a hill.

The bricks flying off Porky’s car, and hitting Karoff on the head.

Porky and Karoff end up switching vehicles when they exit a tunnel. Karoff crashes into Porky at the finish line, but the ambulence men put the car on the stretcher, leaving Karoff behind.

Although Porky wins, Edna May Oliver (whose vehicle has been reduced down to a kiddie-scooter operated by a pump and sail) gets the crown.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕