Book Revue

(*Daffy Duck quote*) - "La Cucaracha... So round - So firm - So fully packed - And, so easy on the draw."

When it comes to "Looney Tunes" - I'd say that "Book Revue" has got to be one of the looniest of them all.

Between the music, the books, and, yes, Daffy Duck chewing up the scenery - "Book Revue" is an enjoyably haywire cartoon whose non-stop action is delightfully delivered (at full-throttle) by the imaginative animation team at Warner Bros. Studios.

Originally released back in 1946 - This animated short certainly benefited greatly by its impressive direction from American animator, Robert Clampett (1913-1984).

Of all the cartoons where books, magazines etc. come to life, Bob Clampett's 'Book Revue' is by far the finest. The problem with many of these kind of cartoons is that they rely on cultural references that have been long forgotten, inescapably dating the picture. Although there are many references to popular books of the day in 'Book Revue', it manages to sidestep the detrimental dating effect thanks to Clampett's typically engaging speedy pacing and the inclusion of Daffy Duck as a character. Daffy emerges from the cover of a Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies comic and proceeds to completely steal the cartoon away from all the witty book parodies. Ever the showman, Daffy opens with a Danny Kaye impersonation followed by the highlight of the cartoon, a phenomenal scat version of the Little Red Riding Hood Story. Mel Blanc must be given enormous credit for pulling this off so brilliantly but Clampett makes it all the better by matching this brilliant vocal performance with stunning visual, including the infamous moment in which Daffy turns into a giant eyeball. This is the sort of joke no other director would even attempt and Clampett pulls it off with grotesque glee, 'Book Revue' is so much better than all other cartoons of its kind because it doesn't get hung up on visual pun after visual pun. Instead, Clampett uses these books as the backdrop against which to stage a high speed chase. Unlike some of these reference heavy shorts, 'Book Revue' can be enjoyed whether you get the reference points or not. It's a classic cartoon bursting with energy and ideas.

The books on bookshelves are coming to life. One book is Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies comics with Daffy Duck walking off the cover. While Daffy does make an appearance, it is not a long one. A lot of this is non-specific books or classics. I don't recognize a lot of these and I am not that invested in them. That is probably my main issue. Quite frankly, the Daffy Duck appearance is basically a cameo or fan service for Looney Tunes fans. I would rather have him be the store owner or late night janitor or a magician. This could be Daffy Duck's Fantasia. Instead, it is all rather random and non-specific.

Young Man with a Horn: Harry James; The Voice in the Wilderness: Frank Sinatra; Brass: Tommy Dorsey- Sinatra worked for him; Drums Along the Mohawk: Gene Krupa; The Pie-eyed Piper: Benny Goodman; Arkansas Traveler: Arkansas-born Bob Burns (with his so-called "bazooka"); So Big: James Durante; Daffy Duck dressed up as Danny Kaye.

The line "... so round, so firm, so fully packed... so (free and) easy on the draw" was in reference to a Lucky Strike cigarette commercial- in coincidence, the Sportsman Quartet (also in this cartoon) used to do commercials for Lucky Strike on the Jack Benny Radio Program.

Daffy Duck stars in the surreal short that has all the books of a book store coming alive in humorous ways. Fawning over Frank Sinatra, whom Daffy seeks to steal the spotlight from with his Danny Kaye impersonation (and he succeeds I might add). He also goes up against the Big Bad Wolf in this great Robert Clampett short (and pretty much all of Clampetts work on Looney Tunes was indeed great, so for this to be one of the standouts is really saying something). This animated short can be seen on Disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2 and also features an optional commentary by Micheal Barrier.

My Grade: A+