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.

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!

I thoroughly enjoyed this cartoon from start to finish, it has elements of Disney cartoons, Tom and Jerry, and the Classic Looney-tunes signature gags. One of Jones best works with porky, and The Setting and Atmosphere are just my favorite in the whole World. Animation was a big part of my childhood, and the Fast-paced Beautifully drawn animation of this cartoon gets two thumbs up, and the Early version of Claude (A black and white cat) is always welcome as well.

Great, Couldn't have asked for more.

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.

Chuck Jones directed this enjoyable Porky Pig short. I'm not the biggest Porky fan but I do like him when he's in his element as the put-upon protagonist having to deal with one annoyance or another. This time Porky is trying to sleep but some noisy mice are keeping him awake. So he tries a mouse trap but it doesn't work. Then he tries a cat, which works but presents a whole other problem that Porky must deal with. It's a good-looking cartoon with lovely colors and well-drawn animation. The voice work from the incomparable Mel Blanc is as good as you would expect. Carl Stalling's music is very nice as well. The gags are fun and there are some good lines. My favorite part was the bits with the drunk cats. It's not a knee-slapper but it is entertaining.