Seventy-five years ago today, Warner Bros. released an innocuous little cartoon to theaters: "Porky's Duck Hunt." This cartoon was special for a number of reasons: It was the first real "hunting picture" Warner's had ever released (there would be MANY more to come). It was also the first time Mel Blanc voiced Porky Pig, the only cartoon star the studio had at that time. But, most importantly, this cartoon marked the debut of Warner's second big cartoon star: Daffy Duck. Yes, Daffy Duck marks his 75th birthday today. Not that you'd ever know it by reading the Warner Bros. website, or looking for 75th anniversary merchandise. What's wrong with them? If Disney owned Daffy, there would be a year-long parade down Main Street.Daffy was an instant hit, soloing and co-starring with Porky in a number of films the very next year. He was destined for stardom, but would soon be surpassed by the next big Warner Bros star: Bugs Bunny, who debuted in 1940. Bugs soon surpassed Porky and Daffy to become the box office's #1 cartoon star. No wonder Daffy is so jealous.
Here's the cartoon, released April 17, 1937. Tex Avery was the director. He later directed Bugs Bunny's debut, then eventually left for MGM, where he directed some of the funniest cartoons ever made.
Porky's Duck Hunt (4.17.37) by CarlStallingEnthusiast
In honor of Daffy Duck's 75th anniversary, in the coming weeks I'll present what I think are the very best cartoons Daffy ever made. Look for the Top Five Daffy Duck Cartoons, coming very soon!
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