Trap Happy Porky

Leonard Maltin's description of Porky Pig on the back of a video release in the 1980s identified the cartoon world's most famous ham actor as "(not) as much an actor as a reactor." Of course, anyone who sees what sorts of individuals Porky has to confront can attest that the porker has little other choice. Chuck Jones's "Trap Happy Porky" works as an example. When some pesky mice keep Porky awake one night, he gets a cat to scare the obnoxious rodents out of the house. But sure enough, the felines become the new pests! And nothing's gonna stop them!

Most people will probably agree that Porky was funniest when facing off against Daffy Duck. But I see this cartoon as sort of a turning point for the stuttering swine. For much of Porky's first decade as a cartoon star, the Termite Terrace crowd cast him in very pedestrian roles trying to represent every part of life: farmer, bullfighter, even a pilgrim in one cartoon. But here we see him in his irascible form (with someone other than Daffy), the type of guy who seeks to deal with perceived irritations. Two years later, Jones cast Porky in "Little Orphan Airedale", his first teaming with intrusive canine Charlie Dog; I interpreted the cartoon as having the same gist as the Alan Bates movie "Le roi de coeurs" ("The King of Hearts"). A few years later, Jones started having Porky bring some order to Daffy's crazy miscast roles ("Drip-Along Daffy", "Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century"); this brought Porky to his full potential.

Anyway, this is a worthwhile cartoon.

Chuck Jones was a genius animator and Porky, while perhaps not one of the consistently funniest or interesting Looney Tunes character, is still always worth watching and still an amusing and likable character.

'Trap Happy Porky' is a brilliantly made and hilarious cartoon. It is also interesting for the short appearances of an unnamed and somewhat different Hubie and Bertie as the mice characters, who went on to star in equally brilliantly made and extremely funny cartoons that also tackled dark and bold subjects without trivialising. It is a delight to spot them but you do wish that they had a little more to do, though it is interesting to see them not be victorious for once.

As pretty much always with Jones, 'Trap Happy Porky' contains excellent animation. Attention to detail is meticulous, the colours are rich and vibrant and the characters are designed in a way that's distinctively Chuck Jones. The expressions and gestures of the characters are also ingeniously animated and help make the gags work. Music from Carl Stalling always elevates cartoons he composes for to a higher level, have always said that he's my favourite of the regular Looney Tunes composers and he rarely puts a foot wrong and I don't think any differently still.

Here in 'Trap Happy Porky', the orchestration is clever, rich and luscious, the energy, character and appropriately dark atmosphere are evident throughout and it not only fits with what's going on but adds to it. Again with Stalling, he also succeeds in putting unique spins on pre-existing material, with the standouts here being the renditions of "On Moonlight Bay" and "When the Irish Eyes are Smiling".

Writing is typically fresh and witty, and the gags are sublime in how inventive and hilarious they are. The most memorable part was definitely the "When the Irish Eyes are Smiling", a visual, musical, humour and vocal masterpiece, some of the best drunk singing there's ever been and there most likely has not been a funnier drunk scene in a Looney Tunes cartoon. The story is efficiently paced and always fun and smoothly told, if a tad predictable at the end.

Porky is likable, relatable and very funny here, and he is met every step of the way by the cats, the dog and Hubie and Bertie. This is not really a case, like with some Porky cartoons, of supporting characters outshining the lead, in 'Trap Happy Porky' everyone and everything shines. Mel Blanc provides characteristically superb vocals, the renditions of "On Moonlight Bay" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" being brilliantly sung and like Blanc was having a riot doing them.

All in all, brilliantly made and hilarious. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"Warner Brothers where are you"...with the DVD or VHS for the short? I whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Litman's comments. This is truly one of 'The Best' movie shorts in history (my opinion only). The singing of "On Moonlight Bay" is absolutely SUPERB. Mel Blanc, as well as the rest of his family, should be very proud of this particular body of work. Even though I've only seen it twice in my life-time, unfortunately The Cartoon Channel doesn't show it that much any more, the memory is always the same. I wish I knew what was taking Warner Brothers s-o-o very long to put this movie on tape. Perhaps they feel it will not 'draw' as many customers for purchase as the more updated movies. I don't believe this for a moment. I'd be the first one of line to purchase it as soon as it's distributed. Maybe we should start a petition for the movies we "really" want to see on DVD or VHS? That'd really give the studios something to thing about, huh? Maybe.

When Porky Pig (Blanc) has mouse trouble one night and investi-vesti-vesti-checks it out, he finds mice trashing his kitchen and stealing all his food! What's a pig to do?

In "Trap Happy Porky" he finds a helpful cat who devises a Rube Goldberg-esque contraption that waylays every last mouse out of the house and finally gives Porky some peace and quiet for the night...at least until that same cat invites some friends over for a few drinks and....

Well, to say any more would wreck one of the greatest sight gags I've ever witnessed in my entire life of watching cartoons. Suffice it to say you've never heard a better version of "On Moonlight Bay". Ever.

Jones is a master of funny cartoon sights and his visions herein are a delight to behold. In fact, Blanc's voicing of our favorite porker adds onto the joy factor. Then there's the last scene...you HAVE to see it. Go watch Cartoon Network now; it's probably on there at this moment - see what I mean.

Ten stars without hesitation for "Trap Happy Porky" and a star more for cat power!

Trap Happy Porky is nothing above the average Looney Tunes cartoon of the mid-40's, but it's always good to watch.

The story is good in the beginning, but after the cat goes wrong, it's simply too predictable. Everything you expect happens.

The animation is good, but Porky is rather weird when he sleeps. But the drunk singing is hilarious. You watch it and you burst out laughing.

My favorite part, though, is the start, when the mice are flawlessly dispatched by one of those great running jokes. I wonder why those elaborate traps became so rare post-1948. They really were riots.

For once Hubie and Bertie lose. I can't say I was too happy to see Jones betraying his own characters. But they barely have a part to play.

So, if you like Looney Tunes, this cartoon should be good news when it comes on, but it's really nothing above the average cartoon of the day.