Élémentaire, mon cher

7 out of 10, mainly because the design is excellent, as is the script. For those who have watched and enjoyed the series of 'Sherlock Holmes' movies made from 1939 - 1946 (all starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) then this animated short would be a 10/10. Daffy's prickly, know-it-all personality satirizes the Basil Rathbone interpretation of Holmes, and Porky Pig as 'Watkins' does pretty much what Nigel Bruce did in all the films--nothing. Though at one point a frustrated Daffy barks: "All right, Watkins--enough of your bumbling!" which is a reference to how Watson was portrayed as a clueless idiot by Bruce. And as a topper, writer Michael Maltese is able to insert the line "Elementary, my dear Watkins (Watson.)" in a perfect spot.

In London, Daffy Duck is Dorlock Homes. He is a Sherlock Holmes type. Porky Pig is Watkins or the Watson sidekick. They are at the Beeker Street home base. Dorlock is doing his taxes when a telegram arrives. Shropshire Slasher had escaped prison and challenges Dorlock to catch him.

This is a pretty good spoof of Sherlock Holmes. Of course, Daffy as Dorlock is a bit of an idiot. The switcheroo works really well for this duo. I am not sure about the mystery part. I would be happy to have a silly mystery like if the Slasher's address is at the bottom of the telegram. I do like this for the most part.

I enjoyed this Looney Tune very much - especially as Porky and Daffy were partners here. Daffy Duck is "Dorlock Holmes" and Porky is Watkins, his assistant. You have probably guessed already what this episode is about even if you did not know what happens beforehand. I didn't know what would happen - which is why it was such a great surprise for me that Daffy Duck was Sherlock Holmes! The way he has an unintelligent character here is something annoying that could have been changed, but in some aspects he was smart. As Watkins says at the beginning of the episode (which I think Watson himself says in the book), "I discovered he was a very observant person". Someone here said in his/her review that Daffy Duck has 0 intelligence as Sherlock Holmes but this is not true.

Dorlock Holmes has to track down the criminal Shropshire Slasher and so he and Watkins set off. The Shropshire Slasher that the pair find is not who they expect to find...

I recommend this episode to people who like Daffy when he is less intelligent than Porky, people who want to see Porky and Daffy as partners rather than enemies and people who love Looney Tunes in general. Enjoy "Deduce You Say"! :-)

P.S The last line is the funniest - so wait patiently for it.

*Sorry to use your summary magicunicorn, but I agree with you so much that I had to use it (almost to the word) as well. ;-)

Chuck Jones's 'Deduce, You Say' is one of the least celebrated of his genre spoofs in which he cast Porky and Daffy in well known roles. Although it is an enjoyable cartoon, 'Deduce, You Say' is undoubtedly inferior to instant classics such as 'Robin Hood Daffy', 'Duck Dodgers in the 24th ½ Century' and 'Dripalong Daffy'. Although it boasts a magnificent script from Michael Maltese, Jones has opted for an angular, stylised look which doesn't quite work. The premise of having Daffy and Porky fill in for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson ought to be comedy gold but the odd look of 'Deduce You Say' is detrimental. Also, Maltese's otherwise fantastic script suddenly flags when the main villain, the Shropshire Strangler, shows up. It suddenly goes from razor wit to predictable antics, only regaining its footing with the smart climactic quip. Despite its flaws, 'Deduce, You Say' is a fun piece which is significantly dwarfed by the solid gold classics it aspires to emulate.

Deduce, You Say (1954)

*** (out of 4)

Nice spoof of Sherlock Holmes has Dorlock Homes (Daffy Duck) and Watkins (Porky Pig) trying to locate the Shropshire Slasher, who just happens to be looking for them as well. If you're a fan of the Universal Holmes series then I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this short, which actually manages to pay nice homage to the earlier series but it also works perfectly well as a cartoon. The animation by Jones is brilliant, especially all the dark colors that are in the bar that the film takes place in. Both Daffy and Porky are at the top of their game and the villain also manages to get some very good laughs. The final joke with a famous line from the Holmes films are also priceless.