Release Date:

April 8, 1944

Main Character(s):

Daffy Duck, Porky Pig

Summary:

Roommates Porky Pig and Daffy Duck constantly oversleep, making them frequently late for work at the “Fly by Night Aircraft Co.” Their boss (caricature of Ray Katz) threatens them that if they’re late one more time, they’re fired. Porky and Daffy try to go to bed early, but various disturbances keep them up all night.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 3-14, the 3rd Looney Tune in the 14th release season.

The cartoon was given a Blue Ribbon reissue. “When My Dreamboat Comes Home” played under the opening credits (this is partially heard in the reissue, and the credits were very likely seen on the opening shot of the cartoon):

Supervision: Robert Clampett

Story: Warren Foster

Animation: Tom McKimson

Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling

This is a color remake of Clampett’s first cartoon, “Porky’s Badtime Story”. This is actually the superior cartoon as it shows how much Clampett developed as a director and Daffy is in Gabby Goat’s role. Speaking of which, this is also a foreshadowing of Daffy’s later angry portrayal.

The scene where Porky throws “The Falcon” out the window before it’s thrown back at him as “The Falcon Returns” is reused animation from “Notes to You”.

The boss mentions “The Dover Boys” when he catches Daffy and Porky: “Well, well, if it isn’t the Dover Boys”.

In the background is a drugstore called “Dr. Brown (Leap In-Leap Out/Cigars, Candy)”. This is likely an in-joke on sound effects man Treg Brown.

What I Like About This One:

The rendition of “When My Dreamboat Comes Home” at the start of the cartoon as it opens on Daffy and Porky ignoring the 6:00 alarm and going back to sleep (animated by Rod Scribner).

Four hours later, Daffy and Porky rush so fast (animated by Phil Monroe), they pull their garage inside out (animated by Thomas McKimson).

Porky deciding to punch in the time clock quietly so it doesn’t make any noise. Daffy, however, switches the clock when their shift starts (at 8:00), but this creates such a racket (animated by Scribner) that it causes the boss to catch them. Greeting them with a fake calm and friendly demeanor, he sarcastically says, “Well, well, if it isn’t the Dover Boys! And only two hours late too! Oh, if you had only let me know, I would have gladly brought your work out to you!” He then turns angry and shouts at the top of his voice, “NOW GET THIS! IF YOU’RE LATE ONE MORE TIME, YOU’RE FIRED! GET TO WORK!” (brilliantly animated by Robert McKimson and excellent voice work from the impeccable Mel Blanc) Porky and Daffy rush into the employee’s office so fast, it breaks the glass on the door and causes the letters of “Employee’s Office” to fall to the floor (animated by Monroe) .

Daffy complaining about the early bedtime, “8:00! This is a swell time to hit the hay!” Porky reminds him, “Well, you heard what the boss said. If we’re late again, we’ll lose our j-j-j-j- we’ll get canned!” As Porky starts to snooze, an alley cat and a dog start to fight outside (animated by Thomas). Porky throws a shoe at them but they throw it back (animated by Monroe). Porky throws the shoe out again, and shuts the window. This time, the shoe flies in through the other window and hits Porky (animated by Ross). Porky then throws a book, “The Falcon” but it gets thrown back at him as “The Falcon Returns” (reused animation from “Notes to You”).

Later, the moon is way too bright so Porky closes the window shade. Every time, he tries to get back into bed, the shade keeps opening. Porky then resorts to tying the shade to his bed, but it pulls out the bed frame, causing Porky to fall through his bed (animated by Thomas). With the moon shining in his face, Daffy angrily gets out a gun and shoots the moon! Shocked that he actually succeeded in doing so, Daffy confides, “Unbelievable, isn’t it?” (animated by Scribner)

At 2:00 in the morning, it begins to rain as a tired Porky shuts the window and now has to share the same bed with Daffy (animated by Thomas). The roof starts leaking which wakes Daffy up, and causes him to assume that Porky wet the bed. Realizing where it’s actually coming from, Daffy says “Why don’t somebody fix these things!? How do they expect a guy to sleep with water on the brain!?” and opens an umbrella. Porky tells him that opening an umbrella in the house is bad luck but Daffy dismisses it as a superstition (animated by Monroe). After a lightning bolt zaps the umbrella, Daffy sarcastically says he might as well try sleeping under Niagara Falls. As if on cue, the whole ceiling gives way and drenches the two of them (animated by Thomas). The rendition of “September in the Rain” in this scene is also great.

Now sleeping in dresser drawers (animated by Scribner), Daffy and Porky this time get up at exactly 6:00. They head for work only to discover that it’s Sunday and the place is closed on that day! Realizing that all the catastrophes from the previous night were for nothing, Daffy sighs, “Now he tells me!” and punches his head . They zoom back home and to bed (animated by Thomas). When the clock rings again, Porky shoots the clock, which dies a dramatic death (animated by Scribner).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕