Dumb-Hounded (1943)

Directed by Tex Avery and written by Rich Hogan.

It was the first cartoon to feature Avery's character Droopy

although the name "Droopy" had not been adopted at this point.

Droopy's meek, deadpan voice and personality were modelled after

the character Wallace Wimple on the radio comedy Fibber McGee and Molly.

Actor Bill Thompson, who played Wimple, was the original voice of Droopy.

While Thompson served in the US Navy during World War II, Droopy's voice

was provided by other voice actors, including Don Messick,

who reprised the role in the 1990s.

Avery's preferred gag man Heck Allen said that Avery himself

provided the voice on several occasions, and "You couldn't tell the difference".

There are French and English audio options.

regards

Titus

link

The Early Bird Dood It! (1942)

Tex Avery's second cartoon for MGM.

French/English audio options.

regards

Titus

link

Blitz Wolf (1942)

This was Tex Avery's Directional debut for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

An unashamed WWII propaganda cartoon which was nominated

for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons

but lost out to 'Der Fuehrer's Face',

another anti-Nazi World War II parody featuring Donald Duck.

It is based on the Three Little Pigs children's story

with Adolf, unsurprisingly, cast as the Big Bad Wolf.

Tex Avery was always controversial

and there are many things of interest to the keen eyed viewer.

Alongside the smorgasbord of cultural references there are various 'edits'.

Some were done to the original before release.

Others were done later.

Here's a selection of things I find interesting (there are numerous others)

The sign labelled "No Dogs Allowed" has 'Dogs' crossed out.

'Dogs' was originally replaced by 'Japs' but it is blurred out in yellow.

When one of the shells hits the wolf's tank it turns into cans.

A reference to the scrap metal drives during World War II.

Sergeant Pork was based on a famous World War I hero Sergeant York.

The two pigs sing to Sergeant Pork:

You're in the Army Now,

You're Not Behind the Plow,

You're Diggin' a Ditch,

[pause and motion freeze],

You're in the Army Now!

The pause was inserted to replace the line "You Son of a Bitch",

which was deemed inappropriate for a film at the time.

regards

Titus

link

Symphony in Slang (1951)

Frederick Bean 'Tex' Avery (February 26th 1908 – August 26th 1980)

was an American animator, film director and voice actor.

He was known for directing and producing animated cartoons

during the golden age of American animation.

Avery was a genius but some of his work is controversial

due to his depictions of African/Native American characters.

His time at MGM is considered to be the peak of his career.

Symphony in Slang is one of my favourites.

This copy has optional French subtitles

and a choice of audio in English or French.

I'm bemused as to how this can be translated into any language.

Surely the slang/puns would only work in Americanised English?

When I'm in the right mood this cartoon can make me cry with laughter.

That bloody cat that always gets me :)

regards

Titus

link