Top Ten Looney Tunes from the Late 1940s

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Top Ten Looney Tunes from the Late 1940s

Looney Tunes were probably a bit better than Merry Melodies during the second half of the 1940s decade. Both series were pretty good as we got introduced to the likes of Pepe Le Pew and Foghorn Leghorn among others. But still, only in the next decade will we witness a true magnitude of classics. This is my list of ten best Looney Tunes from this period in Warner Bros. history along with five strong honorable mentions.

10. Mouse Wreckers

In this short, two mice try to make Claude the cat crazy so that he leaves the house all for themselves. I found this movie ridiculously aggressive toward this poor yellow cat, but overall it’s a tremendous flick which benefits from a hugely original second half. Yes, that painting the ceiling as floor sequence was absolutely brilliant and the kind of ingenious physical humor this series is known for. That’s why it takes this tenth spot.

9. Wise Quackers

Daffy Duck arranges with Elmer Fudd to be his slave so the guy doesn’t eat him. It’s a silly premise that really works though because it’s loony in the best way possible. Some references here are pretty good, and although the second act is weaker, the rest of the film is stellar stuff with the highlights being the manipulative dinner sequence and of course Daffy’s signature lisping.

8. Riff Raffy Daffy

This movie follows a homeless Daffy who goes from place to place in search of a place to sleep, but Porky is constantly breathing down his neck. This one serves as a strong social commentary for this time period, but it’s still a comedy of course and it’s downright hilarious in some of the duck’s manipulations. I wanted a stronger ending, but overall it’s such an entertaining, classic Porky/Daffy outing.

7. Rabbit Transit

Cecil Turtle and Bugs Bunny again race in this cartoon. Unfortunately, this was the last cartoon staring this pairing. I loved most of their entries and it’s a shame that they got so few of them. Not only is Bugs very conniving here, but also Cecil. That led to such an inventive, constantly intriguing cartoon with the highlights being its subtle humor and the brave ending where the turtle basically won.

6. Haredevil Hare

Bugs Bunny is sent to Moon where he encounters Marvin the Martian who wants to blow up Earth. Eventually he blows up Moon to a crescent state. That ending was so amusing in this important first movie for Marvin the Martian who instantly became a classic creation. I loved everything about this mysterious alien. Couple that with stellar animation and a different atmosphere and you’ve got a classic cartoon right here.

5. Ain’t That Ducky

Daffy here is chased by a hunter, but the two also want to find out why the little duckling is crying and what exactly is written on the paper in his suitcase. Although obviously a very disparate short, it still works given how this little duckling is so cute and amusing. Daffy is also excellent and very funny with his typical pattern of speech. Some sequences here are impressively put together in terms of action and humor.

4. For Scent-imental Reasons

This short is very funny with many memorable and hilarious moments with Pepe who is phenomenal here. The use of Penelope Pussycat is also superb and the two are great together. It was so funny watching her try to escape from him. The action is excellent and as for the highlights, the scene with the gun shot is easily the best and funniest one. This is also important for being the first Warner Bros. short to win an Oscar and deservedly so.

3. The Big Snooze

So in this film Elmer Fudd refuses to chase Bugs anymore so he tears up his Warner Bros. contract and goes to sleep. But Bugs torments his sleep which eventually leads the poor man to sign up a new contract for the studio. This is one of the better utilized dream-fueled shorts with the highlight being Elmer in drag which was unexpected, and instantly memorable. Elmer is at the height of his powers in this installment.

2. Daffy Doodles

Daffy Duck is accused of painting mustaches on people after being chased by Porky throughout what is one very frenetic cartoon. This type of silly premise is perfect for Looney Tunes and both Porky and Daffy delivered in spades here. The duck of course steals the show in a couple of very funny sequences with the ending being the best one. His lisp here is absolutely hilarious as always.

1. Fast and Furry-ous

Finally in 1949 we got the first ever Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon. And it’s mind-blowing to me how they blew it out of the park from the very beginning. Yes, in this very fast, eventful short, the dynamic is instantly set up for the future along with the characters’ iconic looks and personalities. The ACME moments are all great and most of the situations are mined for laughs and great action stupendously. The painting sequence steals the show for me. It is the finest Looney Tunes entry from the late 40s and I can’t wait to see more from this duo.

Honorable Mentions:

Long-Haired Hare – An opera singer tries to sing his number, but Bugs harasses him. Eventually, he entirely destroys the poor singer. The film starts off slowly, but it culminates with a great finale.

Henhouse Henery – Although scattershot in structure, this is one strong Foghorn Leghorn/Barnyard Dawg outing with terrific humor and an important introduction to the famous rendition of Camptown Races.

The Windblown Hare – Although rushed in pace, this is still a glorious return to the fairy tale parodies by the studio with a terrific turn from Bugs and great mastermind pigs.

Crowing Pains – I found the decision to put Sylvester in a Henery/Foghorn cartoon odd, but it worked out well in the end. The ending is golden how hilarious it is.

Hare Tonic – Elmer purchases Bugs, but then is scared that he might have a rabbititis in this solidly conceptualized, fun flick which deserves its place as the last honorable mention.