Daffy Duck & Egghead

"Daffy Duck and Egghead" features that crazy quacker in his very early days, tormenting a soft-spoken hunter (it seems like his nose was more oval-shaped than his head was). Maybe Egghead was a precursor to Elmer Fudd, but I do prefer the latter (I think that at this time, Elmer was always portrayed as being rather obese). Still, this is a really funny cartoon, with everything that you can expect in such a cartoon. You gotta wonder why the hunters would keep going after Daffy, the way he always made fools of them.

I think that Bugs Bunny had not yet been created when this cartoon was released. No matter, within about fifteen years, he and Daffy would of course be rivals in trying to escape Elmer's bullets.

Tex Avery's 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' was the second cartoon ever to feature Daffy Duck and his first appearance in colour. Opening with an inventively surreal shot in which the two characters are established as literally nuts, the cartoon then segues (via a very funny caption) into a sumptuous scenic shot which sets the standard for the film's handsome look. An extension on Daffy's first appearance, 'Porky's Duck Hunt', 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' keeps the hunting scenario but significantly extends the duck's role, giving him top billing and throwing the spotlight on him as the undoubted star. Avery's masterstroke here is to remove the straight man from the picture. Whereas Porky had been the straight man in Daffy's previous picture, Egghead is a nuttier character and by cartoon's end he is leaping and whooping like Daffy. The gags are all exceptionally original and very funny and the obligatory musical number, often the weakest element in these early Merrie Melodies, is actually a highlight. Daffy performs the iconic Looney Tunes theme 'The Merry-go-round Broke Down' with enormous gusto and it's so entertaining that his reflection emerges from the water to congratulate him at the song's end! 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is classic Avery and a must see for any lover of animation. It looks gorgeous, it will make you laugh out loud and even sing along and it played a significant part in elevating the greatest ever cartoon character (in my opinion) to superstar status. A landmark of animation history and American film-making in general.

'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is very early Daffy Duck and does show him still evolving, not just in his barely recognisable character design but to a lesser extent in personality. It is still a great cartoon though, and one of his better early ones if not quite up there with the masterpieces he would be involved in later.

Make no mistake, Daffy is still very funny, especially in the musical number and the rifle gag, and while still evolving the wacky, manic energy is certainly evident even in early stages. Egghead, later to become Elmer, is a great foil and entertainingly nutty. Their chemistry is hugely enjoyable throughout. Plus there is a scene-stealing turtle and a suitably annoying audience member.

Production values are very high, with Tex Avery's unique and deliciously wild style unmistakable and very well suited to the cartoon with plenty of visually inventive moments. The animation is richly detailed, carefully drawn and bursting with vibrant colour, with some really gorgeous and clever shots. Carl Stalling's music score as well as synchronising brilliantly adds so much to the action and enhances it, with luscious orchestration and constant high-voltage energy.

'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is hugely entertaining, and often hilarious. A definite highlight is Daffy's musical number, a perfect example of Stalling's fabulous ability of putting his own spin on pre-existing material and delivered with delicious gusto by Mel Blanc. The rifle gag and Egghead's interaction with the audience member are also great. Everything is paced and told incredibly well and everything comes together beautifully. Mel Blanc as always does a bravura job and Danny Webb is effective as Egghead.

All in all, great cartoon and while not quite up there with the masterpieces it is one of the better early-era Daffy cartoons, showing that even when he is still evolving he can still shine. 9/10 Bethany Cox

This is Daffy Duck's second episode - one year after "Porky's Duck Hunt" (which is Daffy's debut). This is also Egghead's debut, a Looney Tunes character not nearly as famous. He became Elmer Fudd, which may be surprising to some people. Egghead is basically a hunter who looks hardly anything like Elmer Fudd - and is hunting Daffy. Daffy, who is incredibly crazy here, is not making it easy for Egghead...

I personally prefer this episode a great deal to "Porky's Duck Hunt", which is quite tedious. This episode is a little boring (but interesting historically, as it shows a man in a cinema) at first, but becomes much better. Daffy keeps the gags going and Egghead is quite a good character, with character which reminded me of Porky. The animation and the theme is good as well.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Daffy Duck (particularly people who like him when he's crazy) and all Looney Tunes cartoon historians. Unfortunately, this is not really an episode that most of a modern audience would enjoy, but I myself (even though I am "modern") loved it. Enjoy "Daffy Duck and Egghead"! :-)

Egghead is a hunter and he is hunting for Daffy Duck. Egghead leaves the film to shoot a disruptive audience member in silhouette. A tortoise tries to gentrify the conflict by giving them dueling pistols.

I don't know much about Egghead. This is his second appearance. He essentially serves the same purpose as Elmer Fudd. Obviously, Elmer is superior and would be the one who lasted. Daffy Duck is also different from the later versions. It is a bit rough. Despite the roughness, I do appreciate this early cartoon and I really like shooting one of the audience. There is nothing wrong with killing the audience.