Scrap Happy Daffy

As others have explained here, this cartoon was made as part of the film industry's bid to help the U.S. and Allies with the World War II effort. The message in this one, with Daffy Duck providing the message with laughs, was to encourage people to save scrap so that it could be converted to weapons and ammo.

Signs like "Get that lead out! (along with iron, brass, tin, etc.) are at Daffy's Scrap Heap, where he does his bit to help win the war. Any question that this cartoon is anything but that is erased in his first scene when we see him with an air-raid helmet on and he's singing, "We're in to win, turn in your tin......To our nation's call every rubber ball, Goes to conquer freedom's foe." You get the idea: this is more of a patriotic message instead of the normal wacky Looney Tunes effort. However, that's not to say you won't laugh with Daffy in here, or enjoy the inventive artwork and direction by Frank Tashin.

Much of the story tells of Hitler hearing about Daffy's scrap pile and he sends a billy goat (don't ask) to destroy it. The German leader is shown, it's safe to say, in a very unflattering light! No objections there, from anyone I've hear, and none from me. It's ironic that our foes in WWII were depicted so negatively but Hollywood doesn't say one word today about the Islamic terrorists trying to destroy the U.S. Today, as I write this, there are several anti- American military films that are being shown and nothing which makes the enemies look bad. Over 3,000 citizens are murdered in the World Trade Center buildings and today's Hollywood only makes films mocking our soldiers? Unbelievable! Think about it. Watching this cartoon really makes the contrast really stand out, especially at the end when Daffy Duck is transformed into "SuperAmerican." .

Scrap Happy Daffy (1943)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Here's another product of its time, which of course was World War II. The short is basically telling people to scrap metal for the war effort so Hitler gets concerned that Daffy's scrap is too much so he sends a metal-eating goat to destroy it.

SCRAP HAPPY DAFFY is a pretty interesting film for a number of reasons. For starters, it was filmed in B&W since it wasn't meant for a wide release. The images are actually a lot more striking in B&W and especially the scenes of Hitler ranting and raving. Another thing that separates this is that it's not all that "kid friendly" like so many of the other Daffy shorts. For the most part this here is extremely entertaining and I especially liked the middle finger it was giving to Hitler. There are some very good action scenes and just an overall high level of fun.

Daffy Duck is one of Looney Tunes' best, most interesting in personality and most iconic characters and one of my favourites in animation. His best cartoons are cartoon masterpieces and there is good reason as to why Daffy is used frequently.

'Scrap Happy Daffy' is not one of his very finest cartoons, but it is still great and an interesting piece of history. It is not subtle in its treatment of Hitler, clearly intentional and not objectionable (if slightly too unsubtle for a cartoon), and paints him in the very opposite of a positive light (then again when was he never not?). Few people are going to object to this portrayal, it is widely acknowledged that Hitler was a terrible man and a cartoon portraying him in this way is for the time quite brave.

The animation as to be expected is very good. The black and white is crisp and there is meticulous background detail and smooth character drawing.

Carl Stalling to me was always the best Warner Brothers/Looney Tunes composer as well as the most consistent. 'Scrap Happy Daffy' is another example of consistent greatness, his music is lushly orchestration, cleverly synchronised, vibrant, characterful and not only fits and adds to the action but actually enhances it.

While there is a seriousness in the message it's portraying, which makes its point but never preachy, 'Scrap Happy Daffy' doesn't forget to be funny. Sometimes it is even hilarious and is timed very well. Daffy has his manic, energetic and witty persona and carries the cartoon with aplomb.

Voice acting is very good, superb in the case of Mel Blanc. 9/10 Bethany Cox

A great piece of war propaganda, and really funny too. Along with Clampett, Tashlin was an espouser of the Warner Bros. "Rowdyism." This cartoon is filled with many sharply-timed great gags. It also has the signature Tashlin montage scene. Shot in black and white, the backgrounds employ beautifully stark graphic designs. The Tashlin color cartoons never used this for some reason. There is also some UPA-like stylized animation of Daffy's ancestors in one scene. The Daffy here is the emotionally exuberant Daffy of the early forties. In cartoons from this period he was sometimes used as a hero to thwart the Nazis, which is what happens here. Specifically, a nazi goat sent over to eat his scrap pile. This was a humorous way to remind people on the homefront to help pitch in the war effort and recycle their junk. It is rarely shown on t.v. and hard to find on video, but if you get a chance I recommend you watch it.

This cartoon, appropriately and effectively in black and white, is a World War II patriotic short, with Daffy needing to protect his scrap pile (for the war effort) from a very hungry Nazi goat. The pep rally conducted by Daffy's ancestors is a highlight of the short and the ending is marvelous. Well worth the time and effort to find. Most highly recommended.