Deduce, You Say

A fairly silly take-off on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Daffy Duck playing a bombastic shrill Sherlock, and Porky Pig as a calm and reserved Watson. A few good laughs, but not enough to elevate it above most Looney Tune shorts. A few grown inducing play on words, but I like that type of humour, so this short was just alright by me. Not my favorite, but nor the worst Tune that I've seen. Don't misunderstand me as the worst Looney Tune is still a million times better then 'The Simpsons" has been in the last handful of years. This cartoon is on Disk 2 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1"

My Grade: C+

7 out of 10, mainly because the design is excellent, as is the script. For those who have watched and enjoyed the series of 'Sherlock Holmes' movies made from 1939 - 1946 (all starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) then this animated short would be a 10/10. Daffy's prickly, know-it-all personality satirizes the Basil Rathbone interpretation of Holmes, and Porky Pig as 'Watkins' does pretty much what Nigel Bruce did in all the films--nothing. Though at one point a frustrated Daffy barks: "All right, Watkins--enough of your bumbling!" which is a reference to how Watson was portrayed as a clueless idiot by Bruce. And as a topper, writer Michael Maltese is able to insert the line "Elementary, my dear Watkins (Watson.)" in a perfect spot.

Deduce, You Say (1954)

*** (out of 4)

Nice spoof of Sherlock Holmes has Dorlock Homes (Daffy Duck) and Watkins (Porky Pig) trying to locate the Shropshire Slasher, who just happens to be looking for them as well. If you're a fan of the Universal Holmes series then I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this short, which actually manages to pay nice homage to the earlier series but it also works perfectly well as a cartoon. The animation by Jones is brilliant, especially all the dark colors that are in the bar that the film takes place in. Both Daffy and Porky are at the top of their game and the villain also manages to get some very good laughs. The final joke with a famous line from the Holmes films are also priceless.

Chuck Jones's 'Deduce, You Say' is one of the least celebrated of his genre spoofs in which he cast Porky and Daffy in well known roles. Although it is an enjoyable cartoon, 'Deduce, You Say' is undoubtedly inferior to instant classics such as 'Robin Hood Daffy', 'Duck Dodgers in the 24th ½ Century' and 'Dripalong Daffy'. Although it boasts a magnificent script from Michael Maltese, Jones has opted for an angular, stylised look which doesn't quite work. The premise of having Daffy and Porky fill in for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson ought to be comedy gold but the odd look of 'Deduce You Say' is detrimental. Also, Maltese's otherwise fantastic script suddenly flags when the main villain, the Shropshire Strangler, shows up. It suddenly goes from razor wit to predictable antics, only regaining its footing with the smart climactic quip. Despite its flaws, 'Deduce, You Say' is a fun piece which is significantly dwarfed by the solid gold classics it aspires to emulate.

'Deduce You Say' may not be among the best of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig's cartoons, but it still has many pleasures and as a fan of Sherlock Holmes this reviewer loved its fun and affectionate take on the characters and such.

It is agreed that 'Deduce You Say' loses its energy when the Shropshire Slasher shows up, and that the humour lacks the same timing, quality (the antics indeed are very predictable and not as funny as the rest of the cartoon) and bite of the material beforehand. Shropshire Slasher pales in comparison to Daffy and Porky in the humour stakes and is also not as threatening as he could have been, despite being set up so well when off-screen to be so, and while this reviewer had no problem with the animation the design of the Shropshire Slasher is pretty odd.

However, while very different to usual Chuck Jones animation standards and more angular (so it is understandable that the animation won't be to everybody's tastes) the animation is mostly very good, with great use of shadings, shadows and shapes, a hauntingly atmospheric noir-ish feel to it which is wholly appropriate for a cartoon putting its spin on Sherlock Holmes. Milt Franklyn has his usual characterful energy and orchestral lushness, while also having a chillingly effective gloominess at particularly the start.

Also am in agreement that Michael Maltese's script and the gags are top-notch here. There is some razor-sharp and hilarious writing here for a vast majority of 'Deduce You Say' and the final quip is very funny though not exactly new. The gags are well-animated and imaginative, and there is a great Conan-Doyle-like atmosphere in the story throughout while with shades (as you can guess though this is very atypical Looney Tunes and Chuck Jones, and some may find it somewhat too different) of the loony Looney Tunes style.

Pacing for a vast majority of 'Deduce You Say' is vibrant and crisp, if slackening when the villain shows up. Daffy is hilarious in the "Dorlock Holmes" role and Porky is wonderfully reserved as "Watkins". Mel Blanc does a brilliant job with the voices, considering Blanc's outstanding calibre as a voice actor one doesn't expect any less.

In conclusion, funny, affectionate and atmospheric. Not a classic, but very good though with a couple of things that bring it down a touch. 8/10 Bethany Cox