I Haven't Got a Hat

Mr. Freling comes up with the ultimate classroom stutterer in this Merrie Melodies cartoon. It begins with an elementary age Porky reciting "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" in front of an audience. Other characters strut their stuff too, but I only recognise Porky.

Although "I Haven't Got a Hat" just looks like a cute cartoon, it really seems to be focusing on the various kinds of things that can happen during a school recital, namely stage fright and resentment. Probably most famous as Porky Pig's debut (he sings about Paul Revere's ride), the cartoon culminates when an owl tries to play the piano but a cat messes with the piano.

So, this is a formidable part of cartoon history. The crowd behind the Looney Tunes cartoons would further develop the cartoons in later years, but this is a good reference point. Worth seeing.

The lamb's fleece was as white as corn flakes. Ha!

It's an earlier version of Porky though. He still stutters, but not the way he stuttered when Mel Blanc started doing his voice later. In this cartoon, he still manages to get his words out after a few tries, unlike when Blanc did the voice, and Porky would choose different words in mid sentence that were easier for him to say.

I liked the teacher. She even had her own bell.

The poem by Little Kitty was cute. "Corn Flakes".

The song, "I Haven't Got A Hat" by the twin dogs, Ham and Ex was done well with some good bass lines.

The highlight of the cartoon was the piano recital by Oliver Owl. A brilliant bit of musicianship, thanks to assistance from Beans and a fighting cat and dog.

I Haven't Got a Hat (1935)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

A small school is having their recital day. Porky Pig, stuttering and all, must stand up and do The Midnight Ride of Paul revere while other students follow.

I HAVEN'T GOT A HAT isn't the greatest animated short ever made but it is somewhat historic as this here was the first appearance of Porky Pig. His look and vocal performance is a lot different than the Porky most people know and love but it's still rather interesting seeing this early version. For the most part this is an innocent enough of a short as it's basically introducing us to a bunch of new characters with of course Porky taking off. There really wasn't any major laughs but it was pleasant enough.

'I Haven't Got a Hat' is significant for being the debut of Porky Pig, but that is not the only reason for watching. It is a decent cartoon in its own right, but Porky did go on to feature and star in better and funnier cartoons as he evolved.

While one is sympathetic towards Porky, this reviewer knows what it's like to be in Porky's position, and he is likable, he is rather underused in an appearance that is more a cameo than anything else and he's had a stronger personality elsewhere.

'I Haven't Got a Hat' is also somewhat light on plot, which is more an excuse to string along renditions of characters performing songs and a few other antics.

And while there are smiles throughout the whole duration of the cartoon, 'I Haven't Got a Hat' is short on humour that's consistent or hilarious, it's not that it's unfunny it's just that there's not enough and it's mildly amusing really.

However, this reviewer really loved the bright and colourful animation with lots of beautiful backgrounds and imaginative visual detail, and even better the music which is essentially the actual star of the show, the character, the energy, the enthusiasm and the lusciousness is seriously phenomenal.

Also appreciated the agreed warmth and gentility of the writing, and the vocals with all the voice actors sounding like they were having the time of their lives. The supporting characters do make more of an impression than Porky and are used more.

Oliver and Beans' antics this reviewer agrees steals the show, it was fun and didn't get repetitive. Kitty was adorable, and one cannot help smiling in the appearance of Ham and Ex.

In conclusion, a good if not great debut for Porky Pig, that's a very pleasant watch but doesn't see the best or funniest of him. 7/10 Bethany Cox