Gee Whiz-z-z-z-z-z-z

Chuck Jones's 'Gee Whiz-z-z', the eighth Road Runner cartoon, introduced a significant new development into the series by replacing the sumptuous desert backgrounds with a more stylised, minimalist look. While this new look may not have been nearly as gorgeous to watch as the earlier shorts, it certainly didn't do anything to slow down the gag ratio. In fact, 'Gee Whiz-z-z' is so packed with great jokes that it forsakes the longer set-up sequences of the previous few Road Runner cartoons and pushes the action right into the credits in order to maximise the amount of time Jones has to make us laugh. 'Gee Whiz-z-z' features a few of the very best gags of the series (amongst a small handful of more forgettable moments). Chief among these is the legendary sequence with the green bat costume. On paper, this gag sounds like a weak offering but with hysterically funny facial expressions and one perfectly timed glimpse towards the camera, Jones turns it into gold and one of the most fondly remembered spot-gags in animation history. There's also a new take on the painted-scenery gag with a neat new twist. My favourite thing about 'Gee Whiz-z-z', however, is the ending in which Jones himself shares in the audiences sympathies for the Coyote so strongly that he cuts him a break with an early iris-out.

I don't have any idea why, but this cartoon can be found on archive.org for free download and is listed as a 'banned cartoon'. However, after viewing it, I saw absolutely nothing potentially offensive about it and think this is a mistake. It's yet another brilliant Roadrunner cartoon from Chuck Jones--and the quality is as good you can get. While it would be pointless to comment on the plot at any length (you just need to see it), the Coyote once again tries many different Acme products in order to catch that darned bird--and, as usual, to no effect other than beating the tar out of poor Wiley Coyote! You'll see him don a bat-man outfit, ride a jet engine as well as paint a scene with the bridge being out (with predictable but very enjoyable results). The bottom line is that this film shows the characters once they've hit their stride--clever and funny all the way. I especially enjoyed the cute ending. Well worth seeing and you have to be dead no to enjoy this one.

One of the best Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons. Lots of memorable gags, including ACME jet bike, "STOP! BRIDGE OUT!," and the famous bat-man suit. That last one is among the series' most iconic gags. Chuck Jones is firing on all cylinders, including an amusing bit that starts during the opening credits. The animation is crisp, the music lively, and the colors are beautiful. The Coyote & Road Runner cartoons were always simple and a bit repetitive but so much fun. Some of the best slapstick comedy ever put on screen, animated or otherwise. This is near the top of the series. Definitely a good one for new viewers to get their first taste of Coyote & Road Runner shorts. Sheer fun from start to finish.

In this cartoon the Road Runner and the Coyote are introduced to us. After this the Coyote starts trying to catch the Road Runner but of course he fails every single time. There are some very clever moments in this cartoon, especially one that involves a painted broken bridge. The ending is also very nice. A funny cartoon from the Looney Tunes.

Gee Whiz-z-z-z-z-z-z (1956)

*** (out of 4)

The eighth pairing of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner is yet another winner, although the beatings poor Wile takes keep getting worse. This time out we don't even get past the opening credits when Mr. Wile is run down by a truck but we then get other attacks including large rocks, falling from cliffs and various bombs. One of the best sequences in the film is when the coyote dressing up as "bat-man" and tries to fly after his dinner. This plan works for a while but what makes the joke so funny is that you're expecting one gag but instead we get something else. Another great gag is the painted version of a broken bridge, which of course comes back to hurt Wile.