Birth of a Notion (1947)

Daffy Duck cons a dog named Leopold into offering him a stay in his house, but he has to hide Daffy from his master, a Peter-Lorre style mad scientist who needs a duck's wishbone.

Director:

Robert McKimson

Writer:

Warren Foster (story)

Stars:

Mel Blanc, Stan Freberg

Cast

Credited cast:
Mel Blanc	...	Daffy Duck / Leopold / Joe Besser Duck (voice)

Storyline

Daffy Duck cons a dog named Leopold into offering him a stay in his house, but he has to hide Daffy from his master, a Peter-Lorre style mad scientist who needs a duck's wishbone.

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Plot Keywords:

mad scientist | breaking the fourth wall | trapdoor | reference to daffy duck | spoof | 

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Genres:

Animation | Family | Comedy | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1947 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mad Scientist: Why did you hit me on the head, Leopold? Don't you know that might make me very angry, and I would do terrible, horrible things to you?

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Connections

Spoofs Mad Love (1935)

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Soundtracks

"Concert in the Park"
(uncredited)
Written by Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin

User Reviews

Daffy Duck does pretty well here.

I was not overly disappointed with this episode, nor was I overly not expecting how good it was. However, this is not your average episode, Daffy is his sometimes crazy self here, with a newly formed mean streak as well. This episode also has good side characters, animation and lines. I liked the episode because of this.

There was one reason that I did not want to watch this episode at first. I had seen a picture of the baddie side character and he reminded me too much of Stephen Hawking. Funnily enough, this episode was made when Stephen Hawking was only a child! So do not worry yourself if you are perplexed about it as well.

Anyhow, this cartoon character who looks like Stephen Hawking here also happens to be a scientist! He wants a duck's wish bone for his science experiment and as a matter of fact, Daffy is staying in that very house while the other ducks are flying south for the winter! The other side character is a dog, who helps Daffy (after Daffy has cunningly gained his trust towards him). Daffy decides to receive his revenge on the scientist, when he hears that he wants his wishbone...

I recommend this episode to anyone who likes Daffy, crazy at first then sneaky and crazy later and the sound of the plot. Enjoy "Birth of a Notion"! :-)