The Turn-Tale Wolf (1952) User Reviews

wolf it down and pig out

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 26 May 2007]

OK, so there's a seemingly infinite number of ways to rework children's stories in cartoons. The Termite Terrace crowd did this with "Little Red Riding Rabbit", "Three Little Bops" and "Robin Hood Daffy", to name a few. "The Turn-Tale Wolf" puts a spin on the "Three Little Pigs" routine. In this case, the Big Bad Wolf tells his nephew - who has just learned in school of what his uncle apparently did to the pigs - of how the Three Little Pigs were in fact a group of bullies tormenting him. Maybe this is why protesters in the '60s started calling the police "pigs"! So, maybe this is one of the least-known Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons, but I say that it's worth seeing. Robert McKimson certainly directed his fair share of interesting cartoons.

PS: there was a book called something like "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs", in which the wolf explains how he had a cold and was asking the pigs for some sugar but accidentally sneezed and blew their houses down. So, the sensationalism-obsessed media framed him for murder.

Warner Bros. courageously tackles the heartbreak of childhood bullying . . .

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 4 April 2016]

. . . with its animated short, THE TURN-TALE WOLF. As the title suggests, bullies are sneaky, and you seldom can accurately take a situation at face value. (Americans saw this during the 2016 Election Campaign, when some thoughtless folks accused Billionaire Donald Trump of brow-beating Brain Surgeon Dr. Ben Carson. But NOW everyone knows "the Rest of the Story:" Carson has a long history of attacking people with knives and bricks, while Trump has teeny tiny hands, leaving him in no position to defend himself.) In this clairvoyant treatment of the Carson\Trump debacle, Warner documents how the Three Not-So-Little Pigs are the actual aggressors in respect to the Thin Misunderstood Wolf. Pretending to befriend Wolfie by including him in their sadistic piggy games, the trio of stinky porkers systematically abuse their out-numbered pawn at every turn. "Pig" is a term of extreme derision throughout the Civilized World, and Warner does a great job of showing how it got to be that way. Sometimes the Media refers to "Lone Wolf" mass shooters or terrorists, but you can bet that behind every so-called Lone Wolf there's a pack of pig bullies!

The Three Little Pigs through the eyes of the wolf

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 1 May 2020]

Parodying famous stories/fairy-tales is not a novel premise in animation. Neither is telling it from the point of view from another character where they justify their actions and motivations, seeing a different side to what we already know. Will admit though that that doesn't bother me exactly actually, have always liked fairy-tale parodies in animation done by great animation directors (i.e. Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng) and when a famous story is told from a different viewpoint.

In the case for 'The Turn-Tale Wolf', it is the oft-told story of 'The Three Little Pigs'. Told from the viewpoint of the Big Bad Wolf in narrative form to another character (his nephew), another kind of plot that is not new but when well executed it doesn't matter. 'The Turn-Tale Wolf' does the fairy-tale parodying, point of view and narrative form very well indeed, in a way that really entertains and it was interesting to see The Big Bad Wolf and the three little pigs painted in a different light. As well as seeing something different other than different point of view takes on Mother Goose's nursery rhymes and 'Little Red Riding Hood'.

'The Turn-Tale Wolf's' moments between The Big Bad Wolf and the nephew is not as compelling as when the former is telling his story.

Also think that that aspect would have better if the nephew was easier to root for, would have liked more personality from him and he's a little annoying.

Cannot say that for The Big Bad Wolf, who is a very interesting and amusing character that 'The Turn-Tale Wolf' does well in painting him as not being the guilty party was somehow buyable contrary to popular belief. He has great rapport with the pigs, also showing a side different to usual (never seen them painted in a sadistic light) in keeping with the plotting, both entertaining and suspenseful. This take on the story felt fresh and was inventively handled.

Gags are many and they range from amusing to hilarious, the wit of the dialogue was fun too. The animation is not elaborate and the drawing doesn't always have finesse but is bright and colourful with meticulous attention to detail. Carl Stalling's music is typically lush and characterful with the ability to enhance the action, one of the best in the business at the time for that. Mel Blanc's voice work is very individual and full of versatility and enthusiasm.

Summing up, very good. 8/10

Tables turned

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 10 April 2016]

"The Turn-Tale Wolf" is a Warner Bros cartoon from almost 65 years ago that was made by McKimson and Pierce like so many others and the voice actor is Mel Blanc again. It runs for seven minutes as they usually do and it is a reference to the famous movie with the wolf blowing away the houses of (2 of) the three pigs. But here, the wolf explains the story to his embarrassed nephew that actually he was the victim and the pigs are the bay guys constantly bullying him and wanting to cut off his tail. I thought this was an okay watch if you know about the original story. No real greatness and also only funny on 2 or 3 occasions, but for such a short work, it is perfectly fine. I kinda enjoyed the watch and give this one a thumbs-up. Also interesting to see how the animation style differed from earlier Warner Bros. works. Go check it out if you love cartoons.

'Big Bad' Tells HIS Version Of The 'Three Little Pigs'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 8 November 2007]

"Now wait a minute, kid. I never done nuttin' of the kind. It was a bum rap!"

That's "Uncle Big Bad" reacting to his little nephew, who comes home from school all upset because they read the "The Three Little Pigs" in the school and his uncle is the villain. "For shame," he cries, walking home.

Like the 1941 cartoon, "The Trial Of Mr. Wolf," we get upside down look at a famous fairy tale, told from the wolf's viewpoint as "Big Bad" gives HIS version of what "really happened" in the story of "The Three Little Pigs." According to Uncle Big Bad "it was them three little pigs that was the mugs."

With dialog like that, and the funny inflections in the wolf's voice as he tells the story (kudos to Mel Blanc) and the excellent graphics, it all adds up to a really fun cartoon to watch and hear.

The wolf really spun a tale would make anyone laugh. Highly recommended, and part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 5, which is turning out to an excellent DVD package.

"For shame, Uncle Big Bad!"

[slymusic · 14 January 2011]

Directed by Robert McKimson, "The Turn-Tale Wolf" is a nicely-executed parody of the all-too-famous Three Little Pigs story. In this version, the Big Bad Wolf's nephew angrily demands an explanation of his Uncle's foul behavior, and the "innocent" Wolf, full of "sweetness and light", concocts a story about how the PIGS were the real mugs.

My favorite moments in this wonderful cartoon include the swat-the-fly game; the slingshot gag and the hilarious aftermath of it; and the leery manner in which the Pigs stare at the Wolf's tail.

I would say that the best things about "The Turn-Tale Wolf" are the versatile vocal capabilities of Mel Blanc and the brilliant music score of Carl Stalling. To name just a few examples of how the music fits quite nicely with the action: a violin mockingly plays a familiar sad song as the Big Bad Wolf relates his story to his indignant nephew; a majestic regal theme plays when the Three Little Pigs declare the Wolf king for a day; Mendelssohn's all-too-familiar "Spring Song" is heard when the Wolf, donning a child's sailor outfit, offers his greetings to nature; and "Ain't We Got Fun" accompanies the Pigs describing various games to the Wolf.