Bye, Bye Bluebeard

To me, the line in "Bye, Bye Bluebeard" that stands out the most is the part about everyone having a conscience. As we've all seen, not everybody has one. To be certain, John Dean has written a book about this.* OK, so it makes no sense to talk about people's conscience when reviewing a Porky Pig cartoon. I just like looking for weird connections between things. Overall, I thought that it was an OK cartoon, but I don't find it particularly entertaining when they make Eastern Europeans the antagonists. Still, you gotta admit, that mouse was pretty cool.

*In case you don't know who John Dean is, he testified before the senate in 1973 and exposed that responsibility for the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up went all the way to the Oval Office. Nowadays, he frequently appears on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann".

This Porky Pig cartoon features the portly protagonist as he goes about an exercise routine with a twist-- as he exercises, he is also eating (naturally). At the same time, an unwanted rodent guest seeks to share Porky's food. Porky only wants to get rid of the mouse, but then comes a radio news announcement warning of notorious criminal Bluebeard-- here exemplified by a towering anthroporphic wolf with a literal blue beard and an Eastern European accent.

Lots of the typical period cartoon hijinks ensue, such as Bluebeard tying Porky to a rocket, while Bluebeard sits down to enjoy Porky's steak dinner. Only an unexpected helper arrives to set things right.

Mel Blanc's voices are hilarious, and given the animator's character designs, it lends a more hilarious tone when you notice the subtle facial reactions.

While not one of my favourite Looney Tunes characters, Porky is always likable and watchable.

'Bye Bye Bluebeard', despite being directed by a comparatively little-known and less prolific director, is a great cartoon and in the better end of Porky's cartoons. It does peter out ever so slightly towards the end, where the story ideas are not quite as strong as before, but that's the only real thing wrong with it.

The cartoon is superbly animated, all the characters are well drawn especially Bluebeard, it looks vibrant, lush and colourful, the backgrounds are rich in detail and everything flows smoothly. The music score by Carl Stalling also leaves a positive impression, as is characteristic of Stalling there is a wonderful liveliness, terrific atmosphere, beautiful and clever orchestration, an excelling in fitting with the action and an unequalled ability to add to its impact. There is also a very unique arrangement of the cartoon's title song "Bye Bye Blackbird".

Dialogue is fresh, witty and deliciously funny, and the gags are even more imaginative and funnier, the mouse bagging almost all the best material. All three characters are strongly characterised and the chemistry is well done. Porky does fare least, he's amusing and likable but he is one of those characters who can be overshadowed by characters with stronger personalities (especially Daffy) and that is the case here. Bluebeard is imposing and quite terrifying, but stealing the show is the hilarious mouse. Mel Blanc's voice work as always adds so much to the cartoon's success, his most colourful characterisations of the mouse and Bluebeard making more of an impression than his still solid characterisation of Porky.

Overall, great cartoon and while it is one of Porky's better ones it is a case of a supporting character stealing the show, in this case the mouse. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Radio reports of a killer on the loose named Bluebeard have Porky scared out of his wits. A mouse in Porky's home decides to use this to his advantage, donning a disguise and convincing Porky he's Bluebeard in order to get food. It works for a second but Porky quickly discovers the ruse. Then the real Bluebeard shows up...

Fun short from Arthur Davis with many amusing gags. Great voice work from Mel Blanc. The music is lively with a nice nod to the standard "Bye Bye Blackbird." Excellent animation with well-drawn characters, objects, and backgrounds. Lovely Technicolor is always a plus. There's a Tom & Jerry feeling to this one, perhaps because of the house setting and all the food, etc. Not to mention the mouse playing such a big part in the plot, which isn't common for a Porky short.

Always a scary cartoon for kids, and For adults it's a joy to watch. In my quest to Review every Arthur Davis cartoon (the most underrated Looney tunes director of all time) My next short to review is Bye, Bye, Bluebeard, another Cartoon I know quite well, because Bluebeard I feel like should have appeared in more shorts in my opinion, with being so menacing and so funny at the same time. The Mouse Character was Okay, but I wish Porky starred a little more in this cartoon, He's so underutilized, since his last solo cartoon without daffy was in 1951, and he's my 4th favorite looney tunes Character, behind Bugs, Sam, and Daffy. This cartoons animation is done quite well, and the Jokes and Gags and such are sure to give you a chuckle, and is a perfect pairing with other Looney tunes Cartoons to watch during the Scary Season of Halloween.

9/10.