I really enjoy returning back to some Looney Tunes nostalgia, I love the Daffy Duck screwball cartoons from the 40s, he was one of my favorite cartoon characters when I was a teenager. This one used to be one of my favorites of the obscure Looney Tunes cartoons. I always loved the chaotic energy in this one, and the bull is a very likeable character.
The animation was mostly done by Art Davis's staff. They're extremely talented and I always was drawn into this style of animation, as I stated in my previous review of Chuck Jones's Scaredy Cat (1948) I love how unlimited it feels, you could draw basically anything you want, but I do understand restrictions. This short film is the best for it's wild takes, smears and of course Mel Blanc's acting.
I piled some unique frame grabs from this cartoon that have some great individual drawings in them, they feel like what I wanted to do with my animations.
The bull has great construction and poses.
Love it when cartoons go badass.
It's been a hidden staple for the longest time.
Daffy running it gets even more closer.
A very underrated scene of Daffy in a Mexican restaurant, and the inside of his mouth catches on fire. Hilarious.
Really great human designs, like the details of the wrinkles, here's Daffy performing a simple hand slap.
Reminds of Tex Avery with this scene where everyone leaves immediately except for Daffy because of the bull. By that time Daffy is in charge to fight.
I have some more great scenes from this cartoon but each is one singular shot.
I love Daffy's facial expression.
This is really well-drawn. Daffy's eye pokes right at his approaching enemy.
I have not watched this cartoon at least a couple of years. It hasn't been quite a bit since I last watched Looney Tunes, I keep coming back to it often, especially the Foghorn Leghorn shorts.
Chuck Jones's Scaredy Cat (1948) is one of my favorite cartoons. I have mentioned it a few weeks ago, but I can't blame it. I always loved everything about this cartoon.
From the atmospheres, to the dreadful but mysteriously fun plot.
The animation is at it's peak, I love the zany but steady movement the Warner Bros. shorts had at that time. I think I more or so laugh at these than characters going completely insane for some reason that feels outta place.
But Chuck Jones's cartoons are logical and powerful to me that I can't believe I honestly made fun of his work in the past. Seriously I blamed way too hard on cartoons that weren't on the level of Tex Avery and Bob Clampett.
Anyways this scene is influential. I love the speed and exaggeration of Sylvester running away from the mansion. These backgrounds are also simple but awesome. Great color gradient.
I love the camera angle, the scene goes from one natural environment to another. We can easily see where Sylvester is running to. It reminds me of the lady from Tom and Jerry in that one scene where she rushes to her house in Saturday Evening Puss.
Sylvester is a character I felt sorry for while I was still watching the classic Looney Tunes shorts especially the shorts starring alongside Tweety. He just doesn't deserve the pain. I like Sylvester as a character, he has alot of deep feelings inside even if he is characterized as a peckish slob in his iconic roles. This is by far my favorite personality of Sylvester. He's very timid, yet he's willing to show his bravery in the final act of this cartoon.
Now appears his conscience. Who is just the most underappreciated and most lovely Looney Tunes characters of all time.
Ha. I would be making faces like Sylvester as well if I been called out for doing something mistaken.
Notice how the skies get more intense as Sylvester fights for his fearlessness.
This is absoutely magnificent stuff. I think what makes this even better is the incredible Carl Stalling music.
Here's another great animation scene of Sylvester sprinting back to mansion.
The drawings are so impressive, I don't think I ever seen another art medium like the hand-drawn method do animated frames like this. Like with the close-up frame of Sylvester's feet.
More "cartoony" drawings done correctly at least to me.
This few seconds of utter chaos.
I would say that when it comes to characters standing up for themselves when they face challenges can be predictable at times, but at the same time, it's one of my favorite type of traits in films. We all can relate to a specific character who is aiming for perseverance. And this cartoon is a perfect example of that.
Sometimes there's a movie that you didn't even know you expected to like until you watch it entirely. That's what brought me to a very obscure but underappreciated old movie classic. You Only Live Once (1937).
Sometimes streaming services pay a good deal outta me. This was free to watch on Plex. There's a ton of old movies on there, and this was one of the few films I saved onto my watchlist. It was a short one, only clocking in at 1 hour and 26 minutes, but was still great.
I like alot of Henry Fonda's movies. 12 Angry Men was easily likeable, The Grapes Of Wrath amazed me and had everything I ever wanted that I could relate to as a young adult. There's a reason why I think Fonda is one of my favorite actors. His acting performances are just great. With other actors I respect, they have this sheer honesty and sometimes deliver powerful lines that are still relevant to this day.
I really appreciate these characters below. "Distinctive" is one of the most overlooked elements in film, and these look like guys I could draw, as an artist this scene in particular was a nice start.
For a film directed by Fritz Lang, a director I need to experience more, there's so much fantastic cinematography. It reminds me of Orson Welles movies and Carol Reed's The Third Man.
I don't mind movies not having elements that make these movies more unique. I personally want more than just going for appeal. Sometimes my favorite bits from these great movies are the dialogue. And since I'm seemingly enjoying mysterious, tense sometimes witty films I also enjoy these complex but enjoyable narratives.
This movie had so much symbolism to it especially with the first act to second acts. Almost everyone is chasing down Eddie Taylor for his crimes yet for some reason I find it more entertaining than most iconic noir movies I seen.
I love Taylor's messy hair in this scene. It adds a layer of attractiveness and expression.
The speech delivery in this scene is just great, and so as the details. Usually I suck at movie character names, but I was able to understood both Eddie and Joan well.
Joan states as she looks directly at Eddie's hat with his initials.
Usually I find female leads to be likeable but nothing noteworthy, but I really like Joan's facial expressions in this movie. And both of these characters have a deep but meaningful connection with each other.
I like these close-up scenes. I just realized how B&W movies can look cinematic at times. Fritz Lang in particular also directed Metropolis and I have mentioned it a few weeks ago with some screencaps, just amazing.
I appreciate when actors can be forceful with their roles. Like that fist.
We get some creative and excellent shots in the movie. This shot in particular left me impressed. The scene of Eddie in bars, love the silhouettes, as well as that spectacular performance.
This is my favorite scene in the entire movie. This is where Ed is accepted as a "free man". But refuses as he points a gun at Doctor Hill and counts till 20.
As for the rest of the movie, almost all these elements feels like what I want to aspire to create. I enjoy these movies for it's righteousness, realism and strength while also having some bit of sympathy for these characters.
Old Movies have really shaped me lately whatever genre, I appreciate what I have been watching lately. Some of the movies honestly understood not why but how these people handle situations that honestly feel like a struggle, and I know I have had experiences like that before, and since I'm pretty practical myself I appreciate these film's stories and messages taking a more pragmatic approach.
I'm surprised this movie hasn't gained more attention.
Here's this free clip from what I said earlier was my favorite scenes from this movie.
