Johnny Smith and Poker-Huntas

One of my most favorite Egghead cartoons and WB shorts involving American Indian characters. I think it's one of the funniest too. I like how this based on John Smith and Pocahontas is distorted from what really happened and not quite accurate. Despite the somewhat racial (or racist) overtones, it's still a grand, amusing short, to me it's one of the best and shouldn't be taken too seriously as such, because much of the racial group who are depicted as the bad guys in this could've been anybody else also and exactly the same. My favorite parts are the scenes with the Native American neighborhood, Poker-Huntas coming to Johnny/Egghead's aid, the chase and every time Johnny/Egghead mentions that he sailed to America on the Mayflower. I wish this made its way to DVD release already and can't wait till it finally does make it's way onto that format. I love Poker-Huntas, she's delightful. This is great, especially for those who are into history and notwithstanding the spin on the true story, it would be perfect to use and show in history class. I recommend this for that one good reason.

Obviously, it's harder to laugh at "Johnny Smith and Poker-Huntas" now that we realize how it pushes every possible stereotype about American Indians. The cartoon portrays Johnny Smith (played by Elmer Fudd's prototype Egghead) sailing to America - on the Mayflower! - only to get taken prisoner by the Indians; fortunately, Poker Huntas is on hand.

Still, in Tex Avery fashion, they have a gag every couple of seconds. True, it's the sort of stuff that they probably would have understood it all better in the '30s, but some stuff is still quite a hoot.

Sadly, these don't really make up for the obvious racism. Are we ever going to take a serious look at what John Smith's deeds led to?

This is an excellent cartoon, with the incongruous premise that Egghead is a romantic leading man. I can see it now-first, there was Valentino and John Gilbert, then Gable and now Egghead. Oh, well, he's a Tex Avery leading man! This is a typical Avery short-sight gags come so fast and furious that they almost inundate the audience and you usually need three or four viewings to catch everything. Well worth watching. Most recommended.