Buzz
While Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig are iconic, have you explored the world of Owl Jolson, Ralph Phillips, or the Dover Boys from Pimento University? From the 1930s to the 1960s, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies crafted numerous animated shorts that strayed from the usual cast. These often-overlooked cartoons are known for their bold visual experiments, quirky humor, and unique charm. Dive into five hidden gems from the Looney Tunes archive.
1. The Dover Boys of Pimento University (1942)
Imagine a steampunk-inspired Looney Tunes adventure—well, almost! This cartoon parodies the once-popular The Rover Boys series, brimming with early 20th-century flair. Follow the Dover boys—Tom, Dick, and Larry—as they engage in a playful game of hide-and-seek with their fiancée, Dora Standpipe, during a cheerful park outing. The fun takes a twist when Dora is kidnapped by the melodramatic villain Dan Backslide, brought to life by Mel Blanc's dynamic voice acting.
Although Dora appears to be the classic damsel in distress, it’s Dan Backslide who ultimately finds himself in need of rescue. This cartoon revolutionized animation by having characters hold dramatic poses for extended periods, a departure from traditional styles. Combined with its all-human cast, the short felt so unconventional to Warner Brothers that it nearly cost director Chuck Jones his job.
2. The Three Little Bops (1957)
A jazzy twist on “The Three Little Pigs,” this cartoon features trumpeter Shorty Rogers and portrays the pigs as hip jazz musicians. The Big Bad Wolf, a rhythmless outsider, gets ejected from their club, sparking his vengeful rampage. He attempts to destroy the pigs’ venues, constructed of hay, sticks, and bricks, but meets a predictably grim fate. Fun fact: Pulp Fiction nods to this cartoon when Mia Wallace, played by Uma Thurman, tells Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta, “Don’t be [square],” mimicking the Wolf’s failure to fit in.
3. I Love To Singa (1936)
This jazz-infused Looney Tunes short parodies The Jazz Singer, starring a young owl named Owl Jolson who dreams of singing jazz. His strict German parents, however, insist on classical music, leading to family tension. A radio contest ultimately bridges the gap, transforming I Love To Singa into a heartwarming story of acceptance. The titular song, performed by Al Jolson and Cab Calloway, also appeared in the film The Singing Kid that same year. Decades later, South Park referenced it in the episode "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe." While the cartoon includes some dated and problematic elements, Owl Jolson’s charm remains undeniable.
4. From A to Z-Z-Z-Z (1954)
Ralph Phillips is a young boy with an overactive imagination, constantly lost in his daydreams.
Rather than focusing in class, Ralph envisions himself soaring through the skies, battling math equations on the chalkboard, escaping from Native American warriors, exploring the ocean depths, winning boxing championships, and even transforming into General Douglas MacArthur. Inspired by James Thurber’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” this cartoon spawned a sequel, Boyhood Daze, where Ralph’s daydreams continue after being grounded. The Looney Tunes team clearly had a soft spot for Ralph, as an adult version of the character stars in two army recruitment shorts: Drafty, Isn’t It? and 90 Days Wondering, suggesting Ralph eventually joins the military.
5. The Bear That Wasn’t (1967)
This thought-provoking tale follows a bear whose forest home is destroyed to make way for a factory. Corporate figures convince him he’s merely a “silly little man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat.” Directed by Chuck Jones for MGM, the cartoon is based on a 1946 children’s book by Looney Tunes animator Frank Tashlin. Despite turning down Disney’s offer, Tashlin waited two decades to adapt his book, only to be disappointed with the result. He criticized the cartoon for diluting his book’s message, calling it a “terrible experience” in an interview. Nevertheless, the animation itself remains a visual treat.
