Deputy Droopy

The Deputy (Droopy) is told by the Sheriff to mind things while he takes a nap. So, when some crooks come into town to rob the bank, these desperadoes do all they can NOT to wake the Sheriff but to take out the Deputy themselves. The problem is that the Deputy repeatedly hurts them--and they have to quickly run out of town to scream their heads off so as to avoid waking the Sheriff.

"Deputy Droopy" is a remake, of sorts, of "Rock-a-bye Bear". However, the film is also quite different--especially in the locale. Now I normally dislike remakes--but it's a lot easier to dislike this one because the animation quality is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than the original (as MGM had learned that crappier animation often paid off quite well--such as with the success of rival UPA). It's also odd, because you hear Droopy talking with a voice that is obviously not that of the usual voice actor--and, combined with the crappy animation that makes it look unlike Droopy, loses the charm of the character. So, while I give the original a well-deserved 9, this on only manages a 6.

Sad little deputy Droopy with his quiet ways makes an amusing counterpart to the heavily armed sheriff, who's all set to come in with guns blazing if anyone tries to steal the money they have in the safe. Two bad guys try to silently get at the safe, but again and again are forced to make noise and then run off to a nearby hilltop to let it out. The gag is repeated but there are lots of clever variations, e.g. Droopy whacking one with a board with a nail in it, and because he's stuck to the floor with glue, having to swap his head with his partner and having the latter run off. This was one of the last original cartoons from Tex Avery, who was nearing the end of his brilliant 20 year run in animation, and unfortunately disillusioned by it all. To honor his final Droopy toon, he provided Droopy's voice as well, so listen for that.

In this "Old West" story, Droopy is helping guard a shipment of gold. He takes orders from the sheriff, a burly big guy, and the two of them have just gotten off a stagecoach with several big bags of the valuable ore. They place it in the safe and the sheriff instructs Droopy to guard it while he goes in another room. Of course, two crooks have been watching all of this and are right outside the window watching and listening. The sheriff tells Droopy, "If you get in any trouble, if you see any varmints, just make a noise - any kind of noise - and I'll come a-shootin.'"

The two bandits are hilarious and what happens when they try to rob the safe, when they tie up Droopy, how they try to crack the safe, and - especially - what they do when they have to yell, is all great material. These are the dumbest two bandits I've ever seen and some of the gags are repetitive but they still will make you laugh. The best was the gag with the laughs coming out of the bottle. Now that was clever!!

Much the same as Rabbit Rampage was to Duck Amuck, this is an inferior, yet somewhat enjoyable, remake of Rock-a-Bye Bear, made by the same animator as the original. Still, this one has Droopy, who is one of my favorite characters of all time.

One of my favorite Droopy cartoons, remembered first watching it when I was younger. I enjoyed the way how Droopy tricks and outsmarts the two bandits - all the while being gagged and tied up.

Droopy is sure a superdog, as well as a clever one. He attempts to protect the pot of gold at the Sheriff's department from getting into the hands of the two outlaws, with funny results!

Grade A