My Favorite Duck is a 1942 Looney Tunes short directed by Chuck Jones.
Title[]
The title was presumably inspired by a film of that era, either My Favorite Wife or My Favorite Blonde. In this case, the title is used sarcastically.
Plot[]
Porky is on a camping vacation beside a lake where Daffy happens to live. The duck quickly insinuates himself into Porky's attempts at relaxation, and every time the duck gets Porky riled enough to threaten violence, Daffy shows him a sign that says it is not duck hunting season, and that there is a hefty fine for even "molesting" (i.e. "bothering") a duck.
Porky and Daffy both sing to different effect. Porky, who has trouble with words starting with M and B, stammers and stutters his way through the old standard "On Moonlight Bay", while Daffy periodically breaks into a somewhat-sultry version of a then-recent hit called "Blues in the Night". Porky unconsciously starts to sing Daffy's number, then stops, harumphs, and returns to "Moonlight Bay".
Daffy is able to get away with a lot, "Hoo-hooing" after every gag, until a new sign says duck hunting season is now open, and it even specifically invites shooting this duck. The tide has turned dramatically, and Porky gets his revenge. While Porky chases Daffy around a tree, the picture gets out of order and breaks, then Daffy appears saying "Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to continue this picture". The duck asides to the audience that he beat up Porky. The hook whisks Daffy away and a loud crashing sound occurs. Porky drags the dazed duck across the screen, his shotgun now bent in the form of Daffy's head.
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Notes[]
- This cartoon was made during the era when Chuck Jones and his crew were experimenting with story, animation, and especially backgrounds, which are considered a precursor to UPA.
- On the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6, Disc One, Jerry Beck notes that throughout the picture, Porky sings "Moonlight Bay" (Music by Percy Wenrich & Lyrics by Edward Madden) which came out in 1912, Whereas Daffy sings "Blues in the Night" (Music by Harold Arlen & Lyrics by Johnny Mercer) which at the time was a contemporary song. This makes Porky seem old-fashioned compared to Daffy.
- This short's ending was reused with Bugs Bunny in Rabbit Punch years later.
- This cartoon was shown in theatres with Flying Fortress during its original release and Montana in it's reissue alongside "Boobs in the Woods".
- Coincidentally, both cartoons star Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, and both this cartoon and "Boobs in the Woods" have a very similar premise of a screwball Daffy tormenting Porky in in a variety of ways when the latter goes on a camping trip in the wilderness.
- Production cels of the original title card and credits card were revealed on Facebook in 2021. They were stored at the University of Wyoming, in Michael Maltese's personal collection.[5]
- This short is notable for being the first Porky and Daffy short in 3-strip Technicolor.
- This is one of several entries in a series where Daffy, during his "screwball" period, torments Porky in a variety of ways.
- This cartoon would be used in the documentary Bugs Bunny: Superstar.
- This short's Vitaphone release number is 1085[6]
Music-Cues[]
- "Moonlight Bay" (music by Percy Wenrich & lyrics by Edward Madden)
- "Blues in the Night" (music by Harold Arlen & lyrics by Johnny Mercer)
- Sung repeatedly by Daffy throughout the short. Also sung briefly by Porky.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10165808603900578&set=pb.619090577.-2207520000
- ↑ https://blueribbonblues.neocities.org/gallery
- ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries
- ↑ http://likelylooneymostlymerrie.blogspot.com/2015/12/389-my-favorite-duck-1942.html
- ↑ https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/lost-warner-bros-original-titles/
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books/about/Vitaphone_Films.html?id=mmtZAAAAMAAJ
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books/about/Tunes_for_Toons.html?id=Rz2WJ_-NxsAC
- ↑ https://www.patreon.com/posts/whats-score-81644429
External Links[]
- My Favorite Duck at SuperCartoons.net