Duck Amuck (1953)

The short-tempered Daffy Duck must improvise madly as the backgrounds, his costumes, the soundtrack, even his physical form, shifts and changes at the whim of the animator.

Director:

Chuck Jones

Writer:

Michael Maltese (story)

Stars:

Mel Blanc

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mel Blanc	...	Daffy Duck / Bugs Bunny (voice)

Storyline

Daffy Duck plays a Musketeer, but as he advances on his enemy, the background disappears; Daffy demands the proper scenery, and an animator paints a completely inappropriate background - the start of a running duel between Daffy and the unseen animator who changes backgrounds, Daffy's appearance, the soundtrack, and even the film projection under Daffy's feet, forcing the mad mallard to improvise his performance and leaving him screaming for the animator's head.

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Plot Keywords:

animator | reference to longfellow | sailor | audio problems | long shot | 

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Genres:

Family | Animation | Comedy | Short

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Farce au canard

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?

Trivia

According to Chuck Jones, the revelation of the animator in the ending is just for comedic value - Jones (the director) is speaking to the audience directly, asking "Who is Daffy Duck anyway? Would you recognize him if I did THIS to him?"

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Quotes

[first lines]
Daffy Duck: Stand back, musketeers, they shall sample my blade! Touche!
[suddenly realizes that there is absolutely nothing behind him]
Daffy Duck: Musketeers? Hm? En Garde, eh? My blade? Hey, psst. Whoever's in charge here! The scenery! Where's the scenery?

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are written in essentially the same style as those of "Rabbit Hood" from 1949--red and blue "Old English" letters on parchment--deceptively suggesting "Duck Amuck" is a similar "period" cartoon.

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Connections

Referenced in Looney Tunes: Space Race (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Can't We Talk It Over"
(uncredited)
Music by Victor Young

User Reviews

My second favourite Daffy Duck episode, for a few reasons...

This is probably the most clever and inventive short I have ever had the opportunity to watch. It shows Daffy Duck, being made VERY VERY ANGRY by being drawn into many different messes. Daffy Duck is perfect in this episode. He is well-animated, nice enough and gets angry easily when necessary (In some episodes, I feel as if he is being unnecessarily cruel and he's not in this one, he's trying to be nice!).

This short also has some MASSIVE humour. Just when you have finished laughing, yet ANOTHER joke comes on - and of course - you HAVE to laugh again!

Recommended for all Daffy Duck and cartoon animation fans! Enjoy!