Leghorn Swoggled

Henery Hawk's never-ending quest to catch a chicken continues in this funny short directed by Bob McKimson. Henery, now using a lasso as he thinks he's a cowboy or something (which is too cute), tries and fails to rope Foghorn Leghorn. The dejected chicken hawk believes he's "too teeny to catch chickens." Barnyard Dog steps in and promises to help Henery nab the rooster in exchange for a bone, which leads to amusing interactions between the adorable Henery and a funny cat and mouse, as well as blowhard Foghorn sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong. The incomparable Mel Blanc handles a variety of voices in this one and does a masterful job. The music is lively and cheerful. The animation is crisp with lush colors. I don't think you can go wrong with a cartoon that has Henery Hawk. This one's funny and cute with likable characters and nice animation.

When Clampett's head animator at Warner's, Bob McKimson, was promoted to the position of director, he almost immediately started knocking out one outstanding cartoon after another . (McKimson had inherited Frank Tashlin's unit upon that director's resignation).

McKimson's unbroken streak of quality, lasting from 1946-1951, was due in large part to writer Warren Foster (who afterward began writing for Freleng) and layout man Cornett Wood (a Disney veteran). Foster's witty scripts and solid story strucure, and Wood's matchless background settings, were McKimson's handy ace.

This team produced consistent Foggy classics like "The Leghorn Blows at Midnight" and "A Fractured Leghorn," as well as the present cartoon. For reviews revealing the film's whole plot, I turn you over to the other reviews here.

This is one of the funnier Foghorn Leghorn cartoons, who seems to come across as annoying in some of his later shots. Henry Hawk wants nothing more than to catch a chicken, and Barnyard Dog has agreed to help... if Henry will get him a bone. Henry then stumbles across a cat who says that he can find him a bone... for a fish. He then sees a small mouse, who agrees to get him a fish... for a piece of cheese! Well, if you want a little, give a little (or a lot in this case!). Foghorn follows Hawky, watches him distribute the goods, but wonders why he didn't get anything. He comes up to Hawky and Barnyard Dog, who just got his bone, and asks for his present. "I've got something coming to me, and I want it right now!" Well, Foghorn gets what's coming towards him alright, as Barnyard hits him upside the head with the bone and hands Henry Hawk the chicken he promised him!

Everything really falls into play as Henry gets what he wants, proving in a rather comical sense that one good turn always deserves another!

I would call "Leghorn Swoggled" one of the more mind-boggling (but no less funny) Foghorn Leghorn cartoons, as Henery Hawk wants to catch a chicken, but has to do a favor for Barnyard Dog, a cat, and a mouse. Foggy tries to give him advice every step of the way, but guess what ends up happening! Even if the process leading up to the real action gets a little whacked out, it's all worth it just for the final gag. Why does FL have to suffer so much? Who knows. Maybe his blustery, impetuous attitude gets the better of him like Daffy Duck's does him. Really hilarious. As this cartoon is not yet available on DVD (that I know of), you can watch it on YouTube.