A Corny Concerto (1943)

. . . is the subject of the Warner Bros. animated short, A CORNY CONCERTO. About the time that this cartoon was released, Real Life debate was raging over American President Harry Truman's decision NOT to reduce the Bulldog Menace when we had a golden opportunity to do so. As World War Two concluded, Britain was fatigued from six years of War, the U.S. was coming on strong, and America had a world monopoly on Nuclear Weapons. After England's King George III lost the Revolutionary War, his sore-loser descendants waited decades before launching a sneak invasion on America, burning down the city of Washington, DC. In the 1940s most Americans were waiting for the other shoe to drop. The squirrel shooting Bugs Bunny during CONCERTO until Bugs turns green in the face is meant to represent the English Squire Threat, even then Kow-towing to a Queen-in-Waiting. CORNY's second half deals with the fact that English monarchs have an exclusive birthright to chow down on swans, but by the mid-1900s America had 10 of the graceful yet succulent white birds for every one left upon that bellicose island. Therefore, our Air Force--represented here by a duckling Daffy Duck (who literally turns into a Fighter Plane at one point because the Warner honchos did not want ANYONE to miss their warning!)--must remain on High Red Alert for the day when a hungry King or Queen's Henchpeople make a run for our border, swooping down like CONCERTO's cartoon vulture, for a brunch of American Swan McNuggets or Swanee Loaf.

Her Bob Clampett uses two lovely Strauss Waltzes, "Tales from the Vienna Woods," and "The Beautiful Blue Danube." They are conducted by our friend Elmer Fudd. In the former, Bugs Bunny reigns supreme over a hunter, Porky Pig, and his dog. As is usually the case, our rabbit friend is in total control. There is a great scene where Bugs is playing dead and Porky tries to pull his arms up so they can check him for a gunshot. Great results. In the second, Daffy tries to join a trio of little swans. The music is gorgeous and the animation is right on. The color never ceases to amaze me. Apparently, this was Warner Brothers answer to Disney's "Fantasia."

"A Corny Concerto" is a brilliant Warner Bros. musical cartoon directed by Bob Clampett. A splendid rip-off of Walt Disney's "Fantasia", it casts Elmer Fudd, of all people, as the orchestral conductor who introduces two familiar pieces of music by our favorite "waltz king" Johann Strauss, Jr. Co-starring Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and a baby Daffy Duck, with absolutely no dialogue! (Somebody once remarked that "A Corny Concerto" is one of the only Bugs Bunny films in which Elmer Fudd has the last word.) My favorite scenes from this charming cartoon: Elmer is hilarious as he struggles with his loose-fitting attire. Porky and his dog are also very funny when they cry in waltz time as Bugs supposedly lies dead. When the buzzard snatches away the three baby swans, it is revealed that one of them is cheating by using a motor. Determined to save the three little swans from the clutches of the buzzard, Daffy essentially becomes a fierce bomber airplane, and the swans become paratroopers (with a nice sound effect).The best thing about "A Corny Concerto" is the action that occurs COMPLETELY in synchronization with the musical accompaniment, which is hence where the humor of this cartoon lies. In addition, take note of the superb background paintings in this film, particularly during the opening "Tales from the Vienna Woods" segment.

Cartoonists just love puns; have you noticed? Here, we begin this corny parody of "Fantasia" at "Corny-Gie Hall."Elmer Fudd is the conductor and tells us what to expect in the concert, using as many "w's" instead of "r's" the writers could think of for a 10-second speech. We then witness the Strauss waltz, "Tales From The Vienna Woods" featuring hunter Porky Pig, his dog and their prey, Bugs Bunny. All the action is done to the music. The same holds true for the second number, "The Blue Danube." This second part was totally lame except for the great artwork.The colors in here at stunning, and might be the highlight of the whole cartoon. The laughs were not plentiful, but you can't win them all.This cartoon is part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume Two and can be seen on disc three.