Old Glory

I remember seeing this cartoon as a child and I have always enjoyed it. Porky is having trouble learning the Pledge of Allegiance, when he's about to give up, Uncle Sam himself shows up and gives him a history lesson. I like the semi-realistic portrayal of Uncle Sam and the historical figures, though it's nothing like later Looney Tunes and/or Chuck Jones' trademark style. Also, I'm surprised most people don't know that the "Under God" line is a later addition! It was always in heavy rotation around the 4th of July on various syndicated Looney Tunes packages, so I and lots of others my age are very familiar with it.

This is one of those Looney Tunes cartoons used by Warner Brothers not mainly to entertain kids, but to educate them about the USA. In other words: Tell the children how good and brilliant and important the USA is and how many good and brave people died for 'this great country'. This is why Uncle Sam tells a dreaming Porky Pig to learn his Pledge of Allegiance. That's obviously the educational part of this 9-minutes long film, logically would be to start with the entertaining/funny things now, but in 'Old Glory' there is no fun. There isn't even an attempt made to be funny! As if the creators forgot that Looney Tunes cartoons are supposed to be witty or spoofing or something, but this particular one is tasteless in it's lack of entertainment what so ever!

In the era this little film was made, it wasn't unusual to promote the greatness and beauty of the USA or to make the USA-enemies look dumb/stupid. For instance in 'Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips' (1944) Bugs blows up several Japanese with exploding ice-cream! This all happened during the Second World War and although it's immoral to influence children the way it's done in this cartoons (and other Looney Tuners), you have to admit it's smart to use the Looney Tunes for this purpose. The cartoons are funny ('Old Glory' being the exception to this rule) and kids (and adults as well) adore Bugs, Daffy, Porky and all the others.

And that is why we see Porky Pig in 'Old Glory' studying and dreaming of the greatness of his country. With Uncle Sam explaining him (and the unknowing little viewers) all about how important loving the USA is. In an immoral, joke-less, spoof-less, un-witty cartoon.

At a time when the war clouds in Europe were gathering and it looked as though America might be drawn into the conflict of WWII, this Looney Tune with Porky Pig, OLD GLORY, served as a patriotic reminder to everyone about America's place in history. Only the politically correct hard line liberals who object to any show of patriotism would be objecting to this sort of thing today.

The human characters are drawn more realistically than usual for a cartoon, and this is appropriate since this not your typical slapstick cartoon. Fans expecting the usual from Porky Pig are bound to be a bit disappointed, but it's worth viewing for the brief history lesson it gives, full of pioneer spirit and uplifting words from men like Patrick Henry, Paul Revere and Abraham Lincoln. Well done.

Porky Pig learns why the Pledge of Alligence is important when he has a dream of Uncle Sam who tells him about the founding fathers in this educational short. You can practically hear the liberals of today groaning and bitching at the mere prospect of even thinking about watching this short, but it is very well put together and makes one proud to be an American so it accomplishes what it's intended porpoise was. Hell, I still think this short should be shown in classrooms, but that will in all likelihood never happen due to the loony Left 9th Circuit of Appeals in California, although Michael A. Newdow might be happy to get the pre-1954 version of the Pledge back (I strongly doubt that he'd stop at that though). This animated short can be seen on Disc 3 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2 and also features an optional commentary by Jerry Bech & Inker and Painter Martha Sigall

My Grade: A

I have mixed feelings about this Merrie Melodies short. What I mean is, I don't love it as much as I do some, certain others, but at the same time, I don't detest it either. Since it deviates from the norm of these usually comedic cartoons, it would come as both an unexpected surprise and a disappointment. I agree that not all cartoons have to be comedy-driven and this educational rather than entertaining one is alright for what it is. But regardless, many people still would expect all of them to bring the funny to them simply because it's for which they're known in most cases. It was a fair attempt at doing something different.

As other reviewers have explained, Porky Pig, as a schoolboy, finds learning the Pledge Of Allegiance dull, since he can't quite get the hang of the recitation. But after falling asleep, he meets the spirit of Uncle Sam, who explains the significance of it. And we're shown some scenes that go over the history of how that came to be. Another reason why I may not frequent viewing this short on the third disc of Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 2 (other than on the special occasion of Independence Day) as much as I do several others whether on DVD or online, is because of the reputation of the two historical figures who are discussed, the very first U.S. president, George Washington and Patrick Henry, as both of them are slave owners. So the fact that they were touted as so-called great men is iffy. This is not even edu-taining, but purely educational. Like I said, I found it alright, but not among the best for me. Do I recommend this to others who may be reading this? Well, it all depends if anyone doesn't mind the break too much from the hilarity and thrill of the WB cartoons. But for those who don't have a high enough tolerance and appreciation for that, then you're all welcome to skip it.