Author Archives: dcaligari

August 23, 1934 – The Merrie Melodies short, The Girl at the Ironing Board , directed by Friz Freleng, was released on this date. The animated film was probably inspired by Busby Berkeley’s musical production number The Girl at The Ironing Board in the 1934 musical Dames, which featured a version of the same songContinue reading “The Girl at the Ironing Board premiered”

August 22, 1942 – The Looney Tunes short, Eatin’ on the Cuff or The Moth Who Came to Dinner, directed by Bob Clampett, was released on this date. The spider seductress styles herself after popular film star Veronica Lake, who was known for her peek-a-boo bang hairstyle. This characterization might well have helped inspire theContinue reading “Eatin’ on the Cuff premiered”

August 24, 1940 – The Merrie Melodies short, Ceiling Hero, directed by Tex Avery, and starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, was released on this date. The oft-repeated line “Calling Barranca” is a reference to the film Only Angels Have Wings.

August 22, 1942 –The Merrie Melodies short, Fresh Hare, directed by Friz Freleng, and starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, was released on this date. The end of this cartoon, where Bugs proclaims his last wish in a chorus of I Wish I Were in Dixie, which segues into Bugs, Elmer Fudd and the MountiesContinue reading “Fresh Hare premiered”

August 23, 1947 – The Merrie Melodies short, The Foxy Duckling, directed by Arthur Davis, was released on this date. It’s implied that the duck caused the demise of the fox, something that likely pushed the censorship envelope at the time. Two years later, Mazurka Mouse would have a similarly unsettling ending.

August 23, 1934 – The Looney Tunes short, Buddy the Gee Man, directed by Arthur King and starring Buddy, was released on this date. Final Looney Tunes short featuring the character Buddy.

August 23, 1958 –The Looney Tunes short, Knighty Knight Bugs, directed by Friz Freleng, and starring Bugs Bunny, was released on this date. This short has a similar premise to Sahara Hare, which also features Bugs inside a building (in that case, a fort) and Sam on the outside, repeatedly trying (and failing) to getContinue reading “Knighty Knight Bugs premiered”

August 22, 1936 – The Looney Tunes short, Porky’s Poultry Plant, directed by Frank Tahlin, and starring Porky Pig, was released on this date. Frank Tashlin’s first film as director at Warner Bros. Also the first Warner Bros. cartoon for composer Carl W. Stalling.

August 22, 1929 –Walt Disney released the animated short film The Skeleton Dance (The first of Disney’s Silly Symphony series,) animated by Ub Iwerks, on this date. Worried that he would be too dependent on Mickey, Walt Disney wanted to diversify. Carl W. Stalling came up with the idea of producing “musical novelties” (which wouldContinue reading “A first for Disney”

August 22, 1953 –The Looney Tunes short, Plop Goes the Weasel!, directed by Bob McKimson, and starring Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg., was released on this date. This is also the first cartoon to bill Foghorn Leghorn by name in the title card.