Doggone Tired

This is one of the better Tex Averys, as well as one of the more violent ones (please recognize that "cartoon violence" and real violence are NOT the same thing, though), most of it directed at Speedy, the unfortunate dog. While I do understand the rabbit's actions and have not one problem recognizing a desire (and need) for self-preservation, I find myself more in sympathy with the dog than the rabbit as things unfold here. Sight gags for the most part and quite good ones they are, too. Well worth watching. Recommended.

A hunter and his dog arrive at the cabin and the dog is raring to get the rabbit. It's late in the day, and the hunter wants to get some rest, so he puts the dog to bed, saying he'll never catch that rabbit without a good night's sleep. The rabbit, however, is listening, and like all rabbits, is plentifully supplied with mallets, dynamite and other appurtenances of cartoon life.

It's one of Tex Avery's cartoons which runs variations on a theme, and we get to watch the red-headed rabbit torment the red-headed hound dog. The ending is a bit more graceful than Avery's usual, but it comes down to "we've run out of film, folks, but here's a capper joke!"

"Remember, boy: you'll never catch that rabbit until you get a good night's sleep."

That sentence sums up the premise of this movie as a rabbit - tomorrow's dinner - devises plans to keep the hunting dog awake all night so he won't be able to catch him first thing in the morning. It is said by the dog's master, who repeats minute later, just in case the audience in the theater doesn't hear it the first time.

This cartoon gets funnier as it goes along. The dumb dog gets more and more tired as the smart rabbit keeps coming up with new ideas to keep him awake - one about every 15 seconds! Finally, the dog's eyelids say "out cold," and things get really get tough.

There are a lot of good sight gags in here and the ending is almost guaranteed to make you laugh, too. This is vintage Tex Avery humor. By the way, why are rabbits always pictured as smarter than the dogs. In fact, except for Droopy, dogs are usually shown as stupid in cartoons. Rabbits are always smart and cats are always evil. Have you noticed?

Doggone Tired displays some classic cartoon gags that I never get tired of. Upon overhearing that Speedy the dog cannot catch the rabbit unless he gets some sleep, the rabbit concocts a plan to keep Speedy awake. One of my favorite methods the rabbit used was imitating a thunderstorm using a phonograph, a flashlight, and a sheet of metal (I think anyway, you would have to see it to truly understand). To drown out the racket, Speedy pulls a whole pillow through his head from ear to ear. That's just good physical comedy!

Another great gag that reoccurred at the ending, was substituting a candle with a stick of dynamite. When blowing the candle/dynamite out, Speedy covered his face, blew out the wick, only to get blasted up his face. Shielded by his hands, we don't see the horrific damage except for some burnt marks around his face. As you can tell, I just can't properly illustrate these gags by words alone. You have to see the cartoon to really appreciate it. It's just funny from beginning to end. Tex Avery once again shows why he is a true animation legend.

My IMDb Rating: 10/10

It's the Happy Hunting Lodge. Hunting dog Speedy is eager to catch a rabbit but the hunter tells him that he needs his sleep. This scares the rabbit who does everything to keep him awake. This is an MGM Tex Avery cartoon. The only problem is that I don't recognize Speedy. I don't know if he is a recurring character. It would help to create better rooting interest. There is no real rooting interest for either sides in this one. Nevertheless, it is very solid.