Scrap Happy Daffy

Another propaganda gem!

This is dated beyond belief, which makes it easier to watch.

This harped on recycling before it became the norm. Speaking of which, I think it was "Norm" McCabe (rimshot) behind this one too. Tashlin gets deserved credit too.

The Nazi stereotypes gave a laugh to everyone who saw this at my place that night. I have a DVD chock full of animation like this.

Just remember that this is a propaganda cartoon from a long time ago. There's no need to get uptight about it anymore.

That said, the animation itself is limited. But it's still worth a look or three.

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.

Americans were asked to do their part by saving up and donating anything metal. It was a just war but it also shows the terrible waste that war entails. That aside, Daffy Duck is the chosen one to organize scrap metal drives to the Nth degree. At one point he doesn't think he can do it and he is accosted by a series of American patriots. Pretty well done for its type.

Having seen "Daffy - the Commando" and "Scrap Happy Daffy", I think that it's safe to say that that crazy duck was one of the best characters to fight the Nazis (obviously, there was also Bugs). In this case, he collects scrap metal to contribute to the war effort, but Hitler sends a goat after him. If absolutely nothing else, it's just a total hoot to see what Daffy does to the goat.

The idea of collecting scrap metal also brings up the point that in WWII, the government encouraged people to save resources as much as possible. I don't see any of that nowadays. In the future, they're not going to look kindly upon this.

But anyway, it's a really funny cartoon. Definitely worth seeing. And just be careful what you dream about next time.

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.