This short features a very early version of Daffy Duck (call it Daffy 1.0) and also Egghead, who would evolve into Elmer Fudd a bit later on. This features one of the zaniest duels of all time! The turtle almost steals the show here! Typical Tex Avery sight gags. A bit more talky than the aerage Avery short, but very good. Well worth seeing. Recommended.
10 Reviews
Daffy Still Developing But Other Characters, Writers & Artists Shine
ccthemovieman-16 May 2007
The first bit of humor is in the "disclaimer" which includes the word "roasted" and then we get the customer pond shot at sunrise which, by the way, is beautifully drawn. There's something about these late '30s/early '40s animated shorts and films that have a distinct watercolor beauty to them.
Next we see "Egghead," a prototype of Elmer Food. Another sign of the times was the silhouette of a man in the movie theater and the character on screen talking to him, usually - as is the case here - telling the person to "sit down." When he doesn't, Egghead shoots him!! (I think Bugs Bunny did that once, too, but I'm not sure.)
This very young and smaller-looking Daffy was not the funny guy he was a decade later, almost a wise-guy. This is almost an introduction to this character as Daffy sings a song explaining who he is.
The funnier characters and real-life people in here were the Italian turtle, Ben Hathaway who wrote some clever sight gags into this story and the director, Tex Avery. Just don't expect laughs from the usually-hilarious Daffy Duck.
This is part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3.
Next we see "Egghead," a prototype of Elmer Food. Another sign of the times was the silhouette of a man in the movie theater and the character on screen talking to him, usually - as is the case here - telling the person to "sit down." When he doesn't, Egghead shoots him!! (I think Bugs Bunny did that once, too, but I'm not sure.)
This very young and smaller-looking Daffy was not the funny guy he was a decade later, almost a wise-guy. This is almost an introduction to this character as Daffy sings a song explaining who he is.
The funnier characters and real-life people in here were the Italian turtle, Ben Hathaway who wrote some clever sight gags into this story and the director, Tex Avery. Just don't expect laughs from the usually-hilarious Daffy Duck.
This is part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3.
He's CrazY!
TheMan30514 November 2002
Directed by Tex Avery this is an early Looney Tunes cartoon which features a lot of hilarious Avery trademark gags. And stars Daffy Duck and The Pre-pubescent Elmer Fudd. It's a great cartoon with the Looney/Cock-eyed first draft Daffy Duck.
3(***)out of 4(****)stars
3(***)out of 4(****)stars
It's hard to believe that's Daffy Duck, but we have to believe it.
lee_eisenberg20 June 2005
"Daffy Duck and Egghead" features that crazy quacker in his very early days, tormenting a soft-spoken hunter (it seems like his nose was more oval-shaped than his head was). Maybe Egghead was a precursor to Elmer Fudd, but I do prefer the latter (I think that at this time, Elmer was always portrayed as being rather obese). Still, this is a really funny cartoon, with everything that you can expect in such a cartoon. You gotta wonder why the hunters would keep going after Daffy, the way he always made fools of them.
I think that Bugs Bunny had not yet been created when this cartoon was released. No matter, within about fifteen years, he and Daffy would of course be rivals in trying to escape Elmer's bullets.
I think that Bugs Bunny had not yet been created when this cartoon was released. No matter, within about fifteen years, he and Daffy would of course be rivals in trying to escape Elmer's bullets.
A Merrie Melodies cartoon with the Loony Tunes anthem
danjgagne22 February 2006
Isn't "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" the theme song to the Loony Tunes? Tex Avery was probably aware of this, which would make it an inside joke, adding to the countless gags which the gang at Termite Terrace used, to make each other laugh. I was watching this cartoon recently from their Golden Collection Vol. 3. This one didn't have a commentary, so I thought I'd put that out there, but I suppose most die-hard fans noticed it right away. (I wish there were commentaries for all of them.)
Also, Mel Blanc voiced the turtle referee, and he did a brilliant impersonation of Chico Marx.
While this cartoon is very good for its time (with Tex Avery to boot), I vastly prefer the 40's and 50's versions, which is why I only gave it a 7. Personal preference.
Also, Mel Blanc voiced the turtle referee, and he did a brilliant impersonation of Chico Marx.
While this cartoon is very good for its time (with Tex Avery to boot), I vastly prefer the 40's and 50's versions, which is why I only gave it a 7. Personal preference.
"I'm not crazy! I just don't give a darn!"
slymusic21 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Directed by Tex Avery, "Daffy Duck & Egghead" is a wonderful cartoon featuring an early version of Daffy, in which the insane quacker basically just jumps around a pond and shouts "Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!" Plenty of wild, incongruous sight gags abound as Daffy dodges a hunter named Egghead, who might have been a precursor to Elmer Fudd (mind you, I said "might").
My favorite scenes: I always find it a treat to hear Daffy sing a song, and in this case it's "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" (one of the most beloved tunes to be heard during the opening titles of many Warner Bros. cartoons with the zooming WB shield and concentric circles). When Egghead quietly asks if there are any other hunters present, "Oooooooooh yeeeeeaaaaaah!" After Daffy and Egghead struggle with the rifle, they work in a little Three Stooges gag involving a circular fist bop on the head. But the absolute funniest gag in this short, I think, is that of Egghead repeatedly telling a member of the "theatre" audience to sit down and then shooting him; the silhouetted gentleman's movements after getting plugged are hilarious!
Get ready for some great wacky fun when you watch "Daffy Duck & Egghead". Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Whoo-hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!
My favorite scenes: I always find it a treat to hear Daffy sing a song, and in this case it's "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" (one of the most beloved tunes to be heard during the opening titles of many Warner Bros. cartoons with the zooming WB shield and concentric circles). When Egghead quietly asks if there are any other hunters present, "Oooooooooh yeeeeeaaaaaah!" After Daffy and Egghead struggle with the rifle, they work in a little Three Stooges gag involving a circular fist bop on the head. But the absolute funniest gag in this short, I think, is that of Egghead repeatedly telling a member of the "theatre" audience to sit down and then shooting him; the silhouetted gentleman's movements after getting plugged are hilarious!
Get ready for some great wacky fun when you watch "Daffy Duck & Egghead". Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Whoo-hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!
Perhaps one of the most influential animated shorts of all time . . .
oscaralbert21 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . DAFFY DUCK & EGGHEAD finds Daffy saying, "I'm not crazy, I just don't give a darn." Sound familiar"? That's because Clark Gable adapted Daffy's throw-away comment for his closing line of MGM's subsequent live-action Looney Tunes version of the U.S. War to End Lazy Southern Racists from Making a Fortune on the Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Black People--that four-hour snooze fest, GONE WITH THE WIND. (Actress Olivia De Havilland was so worn out and disgusted from being in the first half of GWTW that she chose to be the only "lead" White character to die before GWTW's theatrical Exit Music, even though she was warned that her decision to skip out on Tara early would doom her to live forever as an Old Lady.) Later Daffy sings a wacky song about riding a carousel with his girl, and "going around the world." Warner chose not to close-caption these lyrics for this cartoon's DVD release, since they still would merit an NC17 rating from American censors. However, as Terrence Howard once sang, it's really "Hard to be a Pimp," and Daffy's sexual smorgasbord gave these overworked fellows the inspiration for a soon infamous combination platter which still goes by Daffy's name for it Today.
A landmark of animation. Hilarious, bright, boisterous and musical, 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' has it all
phantom_tollbooth4 November 2008
Tex Avery's 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' was the second cartoon ever to feature Daffy Duck and his first appearance in colour. Opening with an inventively surreal shot in which the two characters are established as literally nuts, the cartoon then segues (via a very funny caption) into a sumptuous scenic shot which sets the standard for the film's handsome look. An extension on Daffy's first appearance, 'Porky's Duck Hunt', 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' keeps the hunting scenario but significantly extends the duck's role, giving him top billing and throwing the spotlight on him as the undoubted star. Avery's masterstroke here is to remove the straight man from the picture. Whereas Porky had been the straight man in Daffy's previous picture, Egghead is a nuttier character and by cartoon's end he is leaping and whooping like Daffy. The gags are all exceptionally original and very funny and the obligatory musical number, often the weakest element in these early Merrie Melodies, is actually a highlight. Daffy performs the iconic Looney Tunes theme 'The Merry-go-round Broke Down' with enormous gusto and it's so entertaining that his reflection emerges from the water to congratulate him at the song's end! 'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is classic Avery and a must see for any lover of animation. It looks gorgeous, it will make you laugh out loud and even sing along and it played a significant part in elevating the greatest ever cartoon character (in my opinion) to superstar status. A landmark of animation history and American film-making in general.
One of the better early Daffy Duck cartoons
TheLittleSongbird19 June 2016
'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is very early Daffy Duck and does show him still evolving, not just in his barely recognisable character design but to a lesser extent in personality. It is still a great cartoon though, and one of his better early ones if not quite up there with the masterpieces he would be involved in later.
Make no mistake, Daffy is still very funny, especially in the musical number and the rifle gag, and while still evolving the wacky, manic energy is certainly evident even in early stages. Egghead, later to become Elmer, is a great foil and entertainingly nutty. Their chemistry is hugely enjoyable throughout. Plus there is a scene-stealing turtle and a suitably annoying audience member.
Production values are very high, with Tex Avery's unique and deliciously wild style unmistakable and very well suited to the cartoon with plenty of visually inventive moments. The animation is richly detailed, carefully drawn and bursting with vibrant colour, with some really gorgeous and clever shots. Carl Stalling's music score as well as synchronising brilliantly adds so much to the action and enhances it, with luscious orchestration and constant high-voltage energy.
'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is hugely entertaining, and often hilarious. A definite highlight is Daffy's musical number, a perfect example of Stalling's fabulous ability of putting his own spin on pre-existing material and delivered with delicious gusto by Mel Blanc. The rifle gag and Egghead's interaction with the audience member are also great. Everything is paced and told incredibly well and everything comes together beautifully. Mel Blanc as always does a bravura job and Danny Webb is effective as Egghead.
All in all, great cartoon and while not quite up there with the masterpieces it is one of the better early-era Daffy cartoons, showing that even when he is still evolving he can still shine. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Make no mistake, Daffy is still very funny, especially in the musical number and the rifle gag, and while still evolving the wacky, manic energy is certainly evident even in early stages. Egghead, later to become Elmer, is a great foil and entertainingly nutty. Their chemistry is hugely enjoyable throughout. Plus there is a scene-stealing turtle and a suitably annoying audience member.
Production values are very high, with Tex Avery's unique and deliciously wild style unmistakable and very well suited to the cartoon with plenty of visually inventive moments. The animation is richly detailed, carefully drawn and bursting with vibrant colour, with some really gorgeous and clever shots. Carl Stalling's music score as well as synchronising brilliantly adds so much to the action and enhances it, with luscious orchestration and constant high-voltage energy.
'Daffy Duck and Egghead' is hugely entertaining, and often hilarious. A definite highlight is Daffy's musical number, a perfect example of Stalling's fabulous ability of putting his own spin on pre-existing material and delivered with delicious gusto by Mel Blanc. The rifle gag and Egghead's interaction with the audience member are also great. Everything is paced and told incredibly well and everything comes together beautifully. Mel Blanc as always does a bravura job and Danny Webb is effective as Egghead.
All in all, great cartoon and while not quite up there with the masterpieces it is one of the better early-era Daffy cartoons, showing that even when he is still evolving he can still shine. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Daffy's second episode
Mightyzebra14 November 2008
This is Daffy Duck's second episode - one year after "Porky's Duck Hunt" (which is Daffy's debut). This is also Egghead's debut, a Looney Tunes character not nearly as famous. He became Elmer Fudd, which may be surprising to some people. Egghead is basically a hunter who looks hardly anything like Elmer Fudd - and is hunting Daffy. Daffy, who is incredibly crazy here, is not making it easy for Egghead...
I personally prefer this episode a great deal to "Porky's Duck Hunt", which is quite tedious. This episode is a little boring (but interesting historically, as it shows a man in a cinema) at first, but becomes much better. Daffy keeps the gags going and Egghead is quite a good character, with character which reminded me of Porky. The animation and the theme is good as well.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Daffy Duck (particularly people who like him when he's crazy) and all Looney Tunes cartoon historians. Unfortunately, this is not really an episode that most of a modern audience would enjoy, but I myself (even though I am "modern") loved it. Enjoy "Daffy Duck and Egghead"! :-)
I personally prefer this episode a great deal to "Porky's Duck Hunt", which is quite tedious. This episode is a little boring (but interesting historically, as it shows a man in a cinema) at first, but becomes much better. Daffy keeps the gags going and Egghead is quite a good character, with character which reminded me of Porky. The animation and the theme is good as well.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves Daffy Duck (particularly people who like him when he's crazy) and all Looney Tunes cartoon historians. Unfortunately, this is not really an episode that most of a modern audience would enjoy, but I myself (even though I am "modern") loved it. Enjoy "Daffy Duck and Egghead"! :-)
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