Pullet Surprise

Several years ago, I watched Rabbit's Kin-a Bugs Bunny short. It was notable as the only one to feature one Pete Puma as his adversary. In fact, it was the only one to feature Pete Puma, period, during that classic WB cartoons era. I did mention in my review of that cartoon that he later appeared in a future short made a few decades later that I wanted to see. So now that the voice of that character, Stan Freberg, passed away recently, I finally watched that one-Pullet Surprise-on YouTube. He's paired with Foghorn Leghorn this time. Mel Blanc had died by that time so Mr. Leghorn's voice is done by Frank Gorshin here. Anyway, this was quite funny both verbally and visually though perhaps maybe a bit rushed. Still, I laughed throughout heartily. Darrell Van Citters did pretty well as director. So on that note, I recommend Pullet Surprise. R.I.P. Mr. Freberg

I say this as a big Looney Tunes fan, I absolutely loved Pullet Surprise and not only is it one of my personal favourites of the newer instalments of Looney Tunes cartoons, but I also prefer it over some of the original Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. Admittedly the cartoon is a little formulaic in the story structure and how Pete Puma always falls for Foghorn's tricks, but that said I also found the original cartoons with Foghorn Leghorn formulaic too for similar reasons. Pullet Surprise does very well in respecting the style of the originals, not only in the fast paced gags, cracking pace and the hilarious dialogue(" Now I can run faster than that with high heels on... I ain't saying I wear high heels", "don't get too close son, I'm a heart breaker" and "A whole LOTTA lumps") but also in the indirect reference to Rabbit's Kin with "try something easy like hunting rabbits" "nuh-uh. No rabbits". Foghorn Leghorn is just a sheer delight here, and Pete Puma is a more than worthy foil and that alone makes a somewhat refreshing change. The voice acting is one of the better voice over jobs in these new instalments, Stan Freberg is excellent as Pete Puma and Frank Gorshin(who I admittedly found too deep and abrasive in intonation in From Hare to Eternity, that cartoon is still good though) nails Foghorn. In conclusion, wonderful and one of my personal favourites of the newer Looney Tunes cartoons. 9/10 Bethany Cox