Tom Turk and Daffy

Directed by Chuck Jones this is another classic Porky and Daffy cartoon. Here Daffy Duck agrees to hide Tom Turk from Porky Pig but once Daffy finds out what porky is cooking for Thanksgiving, he turns into a "stool pigeon!"

3(***)out of 4(****)stars

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!

I try to watch something Thanksgiving-related when the holiday rolls around and this (along with the remake Holiday For Drumsticks) is what I watched a few late nights/early mornings ago, on Thankgiving morning online. This is a very good holiday/Thanksgiving-themed Looney Tunes short. At first, when a turkey named Tom is on the run to avoid becoming a part of the holiday feast, Daffy agrees to help hide him. And who is revealed to be hunting Tom is none other than Porky Pig. After Daffy denies seeing him, a disappointed Porky starts heading off back the way he came. He then mentions everything else he was preparing for the meal. Once Daffy hears this, he has second thoughts and sells out Tom instead. But Tom turns the tables on Daffy and tricks, and convinces Porky to pursue Daffy.

As I read on the page about this on the Looney Tunes Wikia site, I didn't know that the turkey in this and in Holiday For Drumsticks, albeit with different designs and voices, are actually supposed to be one and the same, which is an interesting note. As for the technicalities of this, the art style (including the character designs, layouts, backgrounds) and animation were still at the height of quality for Warner Bros. But the animation of the chase scenes are especially the best. Speaking of which, there's a part that I think is a goof. At one point, after Porky drops or throws down his musket, he follows Daffy again. But in the next scene, he's carrying the musket again while in hot pursuit. The music is at its best with the late Carl Stalling at the helm. Porky and Daffy are fine as usual, as is Tom, but I don't know if I like this version of the turkey in this or in Holiday For Drumsticks more. Good writing of the story. All in all, this may be one of the more entertaining Looney Tunes shorts of the '40s. Funny enough, overall.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.

Chuck Jones deserved, and still does deserve, his status as one of animation's most legendary, greatest and most important directors/animators. He may have lacked the outrageousness and wild wackiness of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, but the visual imagination, wit and what he did with some of the best-known and most iconic characters ever were just as special. While not quite in his full prime, his style was starting to emerge here and it is a great Daffy and Porky collaboration.

One that is undone only by the other titular character Tom Turk being on the bland and limited side, can see why he didn't last long and he is vastly in the shadow of Daffy and Porky.

'Tom Turk and Daffy' is once again a perfect demonstration of Daffy being a charismatic and funny character (who in his outings with Porky always stole the show from under him) and justifiably one of the best and most popular characters in animation.

He is brilliantly supported by Porky, amusing and likeable as usual with inspired chemistry with Daffy, Porky also shows what he is best at in playing it straight against stronger personalities. Mel Blanc as always does a fantastic job with the voice work, showing an unparalleled ability to bring individuality to multiple characters. Maybe his delivery would have been better suited to the manic Daffy not seen here, but the enthusiasm is more than here. Billy Bletcher does his best with not as much material.

The animation is as always bright and colourful, with lots of smooth movement, imaginative detail in the gags and rich and meticulous detail in the backgrounds. Carl Stalling's music score is as ever high in energy, liveliness, character, lushness and whimsy, and not only is dynamic and fits effortlessly with the action but enhances everything.

What's more, 'Tom Turk and Daffy' is enormously entertaining, with the typical wild looniness, razor-sharp wit and sardonic bite starting to show at this point in the dialogue. Plus there are some beautifully timed and animated and imaginative sight gags, that contain enough surprises and a non-stop lively pace.

In summary, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

It's Thanksgiving and turkey Tom Turk begs Daffy to hide him from Porky Pig. Porky wants to cook the turkey for dinner. Surprisingly, Daffy decides to be the good guy and help Tom out. He hides him but when Porky reveals what he had planned for dinner, a hungry Daffy turns traitor and reveals Tom's hiding place. But Tom gets the last laugh by convincing Porky that Daffy is a turkey. An enjoyable Chuck Jones short with some funny bits of business and nice animation. Good voicework from Mel Blanc. Billy Bletcher did the voice for Tom Turk. I believe this was the character's only appearance. He doesn't make much of an impression. Not the best Daffy/Porky short I've seen but a solid one. The funniest lines and gags belong to Daffy.

Proving himself just as much of a draw as his long-eared companion, Daffy Duck takes center-stage in "Tom Turk and Daffy" (though Tom gets top-billing) and tries to hide a despondent turkey from pilgrim Porky Pig all dressed in pilgrim getup (but still no pants!).

However, Daffy turns glutton when he finds there will be a turkey dinner and turns Tom in, only to find himself on the menu instead. High-speed chases, flying snowballs and ice-covered tollbooths ensue.

Chuck Jones runs at top speed here displaying Daffy's change of heart (as his halo dissolves into devil's horns) and Porky's frustration (dunce...sucker...dope...) with an artist's eye. Mel Blanc makes merry with the voice magic as does Bletcher as the turkey who pines for that which he never got a chance to partake of in his life ("Love! Travel! Good Books!")...oh, and more sight gags than you can shake a drumstick at.

Ten stars and two wings up for "Tom Turk and Daffy" - the best Thanksgiving cartoon ever starring three main dishes.