Dough for the Do-Do

Porky goes in search of the elusive dodo bird in Friz Freleng's excellent remake of "Porky in Wackyland." Much of this is a scene-for-scene remake of the earlier cartoon, which was directed by Bob Clampett. This one's in color, though, which will make a world of difference for many viewers. Remakes are always controversial, even among classic animation fans, but I think there are merits to both versions. Liking the remake doesn't mean you disrespect the original. In this case, I prefer watching the remake because of the rich colors and the fluid animation. The Salvador Dali-inspired visuals are terrific and they really pop more in color than black & white. It's a very fun extension of Bob Clampett's wildly creative and unique classic.

In his search for the priceless Do-Do bird, Porky Pig flies over Africa, into deepest Africa and further into Even Darker Africa. There he finds some strange and crazy things - but nothing prepares him for his meeting with the insane Do-Do bird itself.

The set up for this film is very basic and it doesn't really do anything other than the basic plot summary says; however - it is very, very funny. Set in a world that is half Warner Brothers and half Salvador Dali, the action basically revolves around the fact that everything in this world is totally, totally insane! All sorts of mad characters exist in this world - I really wondered how on earth they managed to think them all up!

Porky is really good here and has more meat (in terms of character) on him than he has had in other films, however, despite his top billing, he is not the star of this film. No - that honour belongs to the wonderfully insane Do-Do bird himself. He is manic and crazy to the point that he out-Daffy's Daffy himself! The film builds to him and I was amazed just how funny and imaginative the character was - especially coming after such a host of crazy characters.

Overall, if you are a fan of Daffy Duck when he was in his crazy period then you will simply love this cartoon. Visually it is impressive and imaginative but it is the Do-Do bird that makes it all work. Join me! Do-do-do-do-do-do-do!

Porky Pig goes to darkest Africa to catch the supposedly last remaining Dodo bird. This short is weird with a capital W. The problem is that simply very weird doesn't translate to simply hilarious in and of itself. The second strike against this, is the fact that it's pretty much a re-make of an earlier Porky Pig Looney Tunes short and I don't really like re-makes as most times it's just sheer laziness on the remakers part. Still there are a few laughs to be had in this cartoon, albeit small as they may be. And perhaps I'm in the minority here, but if that's the case so be it.This cartoon is on Disk 2 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1"

My Grade: C-

Dough for the Do-Do (1949)

*** (out of 4)

Porky Pig travels to "Darkest Africa" where he plans on capturing the elusive Do-Do bird, which is worth $400,000,000,000 (ps 000,000,000). Once he lands his plane Porky is thrown into Wackyland where nothing seems real. This is certainly one of the strangest and most surreal Merrie Melodies shorts but that doesn't mean it's one of the funniest. I really enjoy the visual styles of this film but I'll be honest and say that none of it makes me laugh. I respect this film a lot more than I enjoy it but even though I don't consider it a classic I think it still manages to be entertaining. The animation is top-notch from start to finish and the amount of imagination going on is certainly something to look up to. Apparently this is a remake of PORKY IN WACKYLAND but I've yet to see that one.

The headline reads, "Porky Hunts Rare Do-Do Bird Worth $4,000,000,000,000. The subhead reads: p.s.-000,000,000.

He flies his plane into "darkest Africa" and lands in "Wackyland." Wacky is right: wild characters that look like something out of Star Wars movies and a background that is strictly Salvador Dali-esquire. One of the "monsters" is a three-headed guy with Curly, Larry and Moe's head and they take turns slapping each other. That's just one of hundreds of bizarre sights in this strange cartoon.

The quick-as-lightning and magical green do-do bird is no exception....but is he really the last do-do?

This is one of those cartoons you'd have to watch many times to catch all the crazy and clever visuals.