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Digital Animated Shorts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies

GOOD NIGHT, ELMER

SUMMARY:                        RUNNING TIME: Approx. 7 Min.

Released in 1940, Chuck Jones directs this Looney Tunes cartoon starring Elmer Fudd.  Seeking a good night’s sleep, Elmer wearily feuds with a bedside candle that refuses to extinguish.  

REVIEW:

In a solo showcase, Elmer Fudd benefits from great animation in a dialogue-free cartoon.  The problem is that the poignant premise isn’t funny — it’s far closer to an exercise in pity.  Feeling sympathy for a hapless Elmer is one thing, but the predictable finish comes without any laughs.  For a hilarious Looney Tunes working this premise the right way, try 1948’s Back Alley Oproar, as a wacky Sylvester the Cat goes out of his way to harass a sleep-deprived Elmer.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     4 Stars

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Digital Animated Shorts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies

TWEETIE PIE

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: Approx. 7 Min.

Released in 1947, Friz Freleng directs this historic first Looney Tunes cartoon pairing up Sylvester the Cat & Tweety.  Though this time he is called ‘Thomas,’ Sylvester spends a wintry day persistently scheming to recapture a little yellow bird.  Much to the cat’s chagrin, his female owner adopts Tweety after saving the bird from being her cat’s snack.  Inside the house or out, the hapless tuxedo cat can’t catch a break, especially whenever his owner investigates the latest mayhem.    

In addition to winning the 1948 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, this cartoon has been released multiple times on VHS, laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-Ray.  Most recently, Tweetie Pie is available on the Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Volume 2 DVD; the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection DVD; and the Looney Platinum Collection, Volume 1 Blu-ray.

Thomas/Sylvester the Cat & Tweety: Mel Blanc

Female Owner: Bea Benaderet

REVIEW:

From the snowman gag (LOL!) in the opening seconds to the shovel-laden finish, Sylvester & Tweety are at the top of their slapstick game.  Tweetie Pie notably relies almost entirely on visual humor, as Mel Blanc’s only dialogue is Tweety’s brief singing.  Hence, its hilarious storytelling is more impressive.  Highly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     9 Stars

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Categories
Digital Animated Shorts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies

BAD OL’ PUTTY TAT

SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: Approx. 7 Min.

Released in 1949, Friz Freleng directs this Looney Tunes starring Sylvester the Cat & Tweety.  Sylvester is up to his usual tricks persistently trying to snare his would-be meal out of a birdhouse high atop a wooden pole.  No matter the tuxedo cat’s best efforts, he is no match for Tweety’s counter-punching.  Bad Ol’ Putty Tat is available on the Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Volume 2 DVD.

Sylvester the Cat & Tweety: Mel Blanc

REVIEW:

Despite Sylvester’s lack of dialogue, Bad Ol’ Putty Tat is another gem in this franchise.  While the cartoon is really more as a series of gags than an actual story, Tweety’s potent home defenses are a hoot.  Even if Bad Ol’ Putty Tat isn’t distinguishable from other Sylvester & Tweety cartoons, this cartoon sports plenty of spot-on hijinks. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7 Stars

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Digital Animated Shorts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) TV Episodes & Movies

BACK ALLEY OPROAR

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: Approx. 8 Min.

Released in 1948, Friz Freleng directs this Looney Tunes cartoon pairing up Sylvester the Cat & Elmer Fudd.  It’s bedtime for a weary Elmer Fudd.  From Elmer’s backyard fence, Sylvester the Cat is compelled to spend the night serenading him with a medley of his ‘greatest hits.’ 

Sylvester the Cat: Mel Blanc

Elmer Fudd: Arthur Q. Bryan

Female Cat Voice (opera-style): Gloria Curran

Note: This cartoon is also available on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume 2 DVD set.

REVIEW:

With Sylvester in rare madcap form, Back Alley Oproar is a Looney Tunes gem!  Pitting Sylvester’s anything-goes antics vs. a fed-up Elmer is an inspired idea, with neat sight gags pitched one after another.  Case in point: look for an amusing throwaway joke re: Dashiell Hammett’s TheThin Man.  For an eight-minute laugh-fest, Back Alley Oproar is a can’t-miss prospect. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

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LOONEY TUNES-Related Toys & Games Video Games

LOONEY TUNES RACING (PLAYSTATION 1)

SUMMARY:

Released in 2000 for North America and 2001 in Europe, Looney Tunes Racing provides a comical and exciting racing game alternative to hit games, such as Mario Kart and arcade favorite Hydro Thunder.

REVIEW:

With nineteen available characters – thirteen of them need to be unlocked.  Granny and Lola Bunny represent the female characters, and only Daffy Duck has a variant: Duck Dodgers.  The game’s unique levels, featuring iconic arenas in Looney Tunes lore to custom carts really do make this game feel special. There are quotes from each character and reactions when they get flattened a magical anvil, hit a road bomb, or get splatted right in the face with a pie!

  • Story:

Predictably, this kid-friendly game doesn’t have any true plot.  Multiple game modes makes the game hard to really construct a storyline around it, but that’s actually okay!  Through a multitude of arenas, users have the ‘tag’ option, where one-on-one competition requires a specific number of tags (i.e. bombs, pies, etc.) in a best-of-up to seven chances format.  The ‘racing’ component has even more diverse arenas, with options on laps and best-of opportunities.  The trick is sabotaging your pre-selected opponents and still hit glowing green pads on the track to gain an additional (yet brief) advantage.  The game really doesn’t need a story – then again, there’s no extra incentive to play this game for hours on end.

  • Engine/Gameplay:

For a game this old, it shouldn’t be a shocker that the mechanics are a little wonky. Though it is outdated, there are good things about Looney Tunes Racing, too!  First off, you run into these ‘tokens’ that charge up special abilities. These can charge up into abilities such as invincibility magic, throwing pies, laying down bombs, nailing opponents with an anvil, or the classic rain cloud with lightning strike. These amusing gags make the game a little more heated because it adds some extra spice. This can also be great if a player is way ahead in the lead — other players still have a (slim?) chance to get back in the game.  As previously mentioned, another thing are the green speed pads that help users’ vehicles accelerate (or zip past opponents), again leveling the playing field.

In more of the gameplay aspect, games can alternate between ‘tag’ battle arenas and racetracks, in, say, a best-of-seven challenge.  This helps players who may not excel in racing or tags and still be competitive.  Races are your typical “Pass through this track three (or more) amount of times,” battles vs. tags where it required a limited number of hits for users to win the round.  Diversity, in this aspect, makes the game less dull and can give users a break from racing or battling on the same tracks over and over. Still, only having up to two real players and no on-line capabilities makes this one feel repetitive and tedious at times.

  • Graphics:

For a Playstation 1 game, this one actually has decent graphics. The game presents each character with an iconic cart: for example, Bugs Bunny’s go-cart resembles a carrot. Even if the characters themselves have a rudimentary look (seeing them from the back), this feature still helps them stand out while giving the game a little flair, too. Though they’re a nice feature, the backgrounds look dull and often leave much to be desired.  Sure, you can zoom through secret passages and find some in-joke surprises.  Just don’t expect too much out of Looney Tunes Racing, and you won’t be disappointed.

  • Game Modes:

There are a few basic modes in the game: Single Race, Acme Challenge, Championship, and Multi-player. Single Race lets you pick how many rounds there are, either a best of three, five, or seven.  Multi-player is pretty much the same thing except you can use “Wacky” mode to give you extra challenges, which are usually speed-related.  The Acme Challenge is as close to a story as there is, where you pick up artifacts to reopen Acme museum. This mode, along with Championship are how you win gold and unlock features. Both of which are one-player modes and are really only to unlock video clips, tracks, and characters. If you don’t care to skip this necessity, never fear: cheat codes can be found on-line!

For an old school Playstation game, this one can appeal to kids and parents alike.  Looney Tunes Racing shows its age, but competing as or vs. Bugs Bunny and his pals should put a smile on your face.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

None.

ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6 Stars

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Decorations Dolls, Statues, & Busts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) Toys & Games

MARVIN THE MARTIAN (FUNKO STATUETTE)

SUMMARY:

Standing with his blaster set to ‘disintegrate,’ this diminutive Marvin the Martian is a standard-issue Funko size (about 3.75 inches tall), due mostly to his helmet. 

REVIEW:

For Marvin fans, this Funko mini-statue is practically out-of-this-world!  Durable and well-manufactured in hard plastic, this Marvin proves a close likeness of his ill-tempered animated self.  As an idea (please see below), locating his sold-separately K-9 companion would make for a great tandem as a desk or bookcase decoration. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

Categories
Decorations Dolls, Statues, & Busts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) Toys & Games

LOONEY TUNES’ K-9 (FUNKO STATUETTE)

SUMMARY:

Looking maybe not so bright but eager-to-please is Marvin the Martian’s favorite Looney Tunes sidekick.  Due in part to his helmet, this K-9 makes for a slightly taller Funko at about 4.25 inches tall. 

REVIEW:

For Marvin & K-9 fans, this delightful Funko mini-statue is practically out-of-this-world!  Durable and well-manufactured in hard plastic, this Funko pooch is an amusing likeness of the character’s animated self.  As an idea (please see below), locating his sold-separately Martian buddy would make for a great tandem as a desk or bookcase decoration. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            9 Stars

Categories
Decorations Dolls, Statues, & Busts LOONEY TUNES-Related Movies & Television (Videos) Toys & Games

SYLVESTER & TWEETY (FUNKO STATUETTE TWO-PACK)

SUMMARY:

Sold together as a two-pack, Funko’s Sylvester & Tweety set are essentially a Funko and a half.  Appropriately, Tweety standing next to his ‘bad ol’ puddy tat’ is only half the height as Sylvester’s standard-issue Funko size. 

REVIEW:

While Sylvester’s big red nose doesn’t disappoint, the sole peculiarity has to do with Sylvester’s eyes (or lack thereof).  Though the eye style is really a Funko trademark, it looks peculiar on the feline’s mini-statue.  Presumably, due to his black fur color, Funko had to make some sort of creative compromise, which frankly makes Sylvester look like he’s squinting. As for Tweety, his Funko black button eyes actually make Sylvester’s favorite canary look even more bird-like.  The only advisory re: Tweety is that his tiny feet (due to his pipe stem-like legs) are vulnerable to breaking off without sufficient care.    

Otherwise, both of these Funko mini-statues are well-manufactured in hard plastic/vinyl.  This set, if anything, makes a fun desk or bookcase decoration.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7 Stars

Categories
Decorations LOONEY TUNES-Related

SYLVESTER & TWEETY MUSICAL SNOW GLOBE

SUMMARY:

Produced by the San Francisco Music Box Company, this standard-size musical snow globe features Sylvester in his usual perch above Tweety’s birdcage.  Appropriately, its wind-up tune is “Bird in a Gilded Cage.”   

REVIEW:

Impressively designed!  Its gentle melody makes for an amusing treat.  Though there are other Sylvester & Tweety snow globes, this one enjoyably combines innocent kiddie humor with elegance.  It’s an ideal decoration for a bookcase.   

ZAN & BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Note: Zan (above) eyes the snowglobe.