Porky & Daffy

You can always see how in Daffy's early days, he existed for no other purpose except to be as outlandish as possible, doing things that even the Marx Brothers never imagined. "Porky & Daffy" plays this to the fullest extent, as Porky enlists Daffy in a boxing match against an aggressive rooster. At first, the game looks totally one-sided. But when Daffy does things involving the referee, all bets are off...with a vengeance! I just have to try and imagine how much fun they must have had creating these cartoons. Clearly nothing was sacred to those guys. As for the fact that this cartoon got featured in "Rocky"...well, it's the sort of cartoon that could give anyone hope. Really funny.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

'Porky & Daffy' may not quite be one of Bob Clampett's masterpieces (or at least to me), and both Porky and Daffy, together and individually, have also featured in superior cartoons. That doesn't stop 'Porky & Daffy' from being a sheer delight. Even though story-wise it's fairly predictable, it captures the fun, excitement and danger of boxing with aplomb.

The two characters make for a classic collaboration and work so well together. Porky is amusing and endearing, doing a great job playing it straight. Daffy though is the funnier and more interesting in personality character, he is in full manic energy mode and is hilarious. The support are also effective.

Mel Blanc is outstanding as always. He shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.

The animation is excellent, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading and very meticulous in detail. Some of the visuals are wonderfully outrageous in pure Clampett style. The story may be predictable, but it's beautifully paced with never a dull moment and strongly structured.

Clampett's unmistakable humour and style is all over to highly imaginative and deliciously wild effect. This comes through in both the writing and the sight gags that are full to the brim with freshness and wit.

Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.

In summary, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Daffy Duck is a boxer and Porky is his manager. One morning, while reading the newspaper, Porky sees the headlines "Champion Fighter Cock To Take On All Comers All Local Arena Tonight." There is a $500 prize (big money back then) to anyone who can stay in the ring for 10 rounds with the champ

That night, they go to the arena. Some of the most clever is right here before the fight. The fans stream into the arena so that the roof bursts at the seams and it becomes an outdoor stadium! The referee instructs the fighters: "Remember, there is no hitting below the belt," so Daffy lifts the belt on his shorts up to his forehead!

The actual fight then ensues, and it's okay but mostly a little too silly, although there are some funny scenes like Daffy walking across the top of the ropes, etc. Overall, this is one of the better old-time black-and-white animated shorts I've viewed.

Despite the title, Porky Pig only is seen at the beginning and end of the cartoon. Otherwise, it's a Daffy Duck cartoon...back when Daffy was certifiable and much more frenetic than in later films.

When the story begins, Daffy's boxing manager, Porky, reads that the champ is offering a lot of money to anyone who can stay in the ring with him. So, he arranges for a match with Daffy and things get pretty goofy.

The introduction of Daffy Duck into Looney Tunes cartoons in the late 1930s was a great thing as up until then, the cartoons were looking for an identity and edginess...something sorely lacking in earlier productions. But this Daddy was MUCH less subtle or subdued compared to the 1940s-50s Daffy...and that is welcome when you see these films today. The score of 9 is relative to other cartoons of the day...and this one is a lot of silly fun.

Daffy Duck is certainly is daffy in this early outing.

Porky really plays a bit part. He is the trainer of Daffy Duck the boxer who takes on the champ who is a rather flimsy looking rooster.

Once unzipped, he is a ferocious beast. Daffy is going to be no match for him who can only hide inside the heron's bill.

Only Porky Pig knows how to rile Daffy Duck, it involves a quick visit home.

Originally made in black and white. It involves wonderful voice work from Mel Blanc. The cartoon short is frenetic and fun.