LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR’S CHOICE VOLUME 1
Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Volume 1 is the latest release from the Warner Bros Archive Collection. The single disc Blu-ray collects 20 shorts, 14 of which have never been released on any disc collection (Blu-ray or DVD) and 6 that had only been previously available on DVD. The classic animated shorts range from 1945-1958 and each have a runtime of about 7 to 7 ½ minutes. I am a sucker when it comes to the legendary Looney Tunes, so I always get excited about these releases.
The DNR scrubbing on this release is much less obtrusive than that of the recently released Max Fleischer’s Superman, which was slammed by critics because of the washing away of film grain. I'm probably on the other end of the critical spectrum when it comes to this area. While I can see people complaining about flaming arrows being washed out of live-action movies like Gladiator, animation is a platform that shines even more with the DNR technology. On this release a fair amount has been made to these shorts, which to me, look genuinely nice. If you have MAX (the newly renamed HBO streaming service), this release is equal to the video quality on there.
The sound is lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio and while it is nothing to write home about, it should not sway your enjoyment of these timeless classics. I guess it would have been nice to hear them do a little more tweaking on this end as the overall sound is no better than the old DVD releases of such titles.
Disappointingly this release includes zero extras. No digital copies, no booklet or any featurettes.
"Beanstalk Bunny" (1954, Chuck Jones)
Bugs and Daffy match wits with giant Elmer Fudd in this re-telling of "Jack and the Beanstalk". Easily one of the best shorts on this disc, "Beanstalk Bunny" is amazingly making its first appearance on home video since laserdisc.
"Catch as Cats Can" (1947, Arthur Davis)
Sylvester and a parrot try to take down a canary that resembles Frank Sinatra. One of Sly's first appearances (and with a notably different voice/demeanor), this one's definitely a weak entry but still worth a look.
"The Unruly Hare" (1945, Frank Tashlin)
Bugs & Elmer Fudd duke it out when a newly-built railroad track crosses paths with his rabbit hole. Only one of two Bugs shorts directed by Tashlin, this uncut short is as surprisingly violent as ever.
"His Bitter Half" (1950, Friz Freleng)
After moving in with a wealthy suitress, Daffy is forced to cook, clean, and babysit for the brutish lady duck. A personal favorite, this entertaining short was was later remade as "Honey's Money" starring Yosemite Sam.
"Daffy Doodles" (1946, Robert McKimson)
Porky hunts down a notorious vandal who's been drawing mustaches all over the city. Robert McKimson's first animated short for Warner Bros., it's a decent effort whose concept outpaces the actual gags by a wide margin.
"Cracked Quack" (1952, Friz Freleng)
Daffy skips migration and decides to crash at Porky's house instead -- he even tries to pass himself off as a stuffed animal, but Porky's dog is able to sniff out the truth. A decent but somewhat mid-tier Daffy short.
"Little Orphan Airedale" (1947, Friz Freleng)
Charlie Dog needs a home and suckers Porky into adopting him. This is a color remake of the 1941 short "Porky's Pooch". Another personal favorite, and the only time Charlie Dog was ever mentioned by name.
"Hip Hip-Hurry!" (1958, Chuck Jones)
Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote duel in the desert. I mean, these are fun enough in small doses, but can you really rank one Road Runner and Coyote short over another? They're pretty much interchangeable.
"Hot Rod and Reel" (1959, Chuck Jones)
Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote face off again. See above.
"Greedy for Tweety" (1957, Friz Freleng)
Tweety, Sylvester, and Butch the dog are in the hospital with broken legs while nurse Granny tries to keep the peace. This is one of several shorts I hadn't seen in decades but it unlocked a core memory or two. Good stuff.
"Stooge for a Mouse" (1950, Friz Freleng)
In order to score some cheese, a hungry mouse tries to pit Sylvester against his friend Mike the Bulldog. As far as I know, this is another lesser-seen short that's been resurrected from Laserdisc purgatory. Sweet!
"A Mouse Divided" (1953, Friz Freleng)
A drunken stork drops off a baby mouse at the home of Sylvester and his wife. Another solid Sylvester short by Friz Freleng that I hadn't seen in decades, this one combines a great concept with memorable gags.
"A Fractured Leghorn" (1950, Robert McKimson)
Foghorn Leghorn and a black-and-white cat fight over a juicy earthworm. One of two "FL" shorts by McKimson included here, this marks one of the only times our hero doesn't do battle with Henery Hawk or that one dog.
"Plop Goes the Weasel" (1953, Robert Mckimson)
Foghorn Leghorn squares off against the barnyard dog... with help from everyone's favorite chicken thief, in his first of only three appearances (four, if you count "Space Jam"). Another one of several shorts new to Blu-ray.
"Tale of Two Mice" (1945, Frank Tashlin)
Babbit and Catstello attempt to steal cheese from a watchful cat. This one's probably my least favorite short on the set... but it only appeared on DVD twice (and as an extra, no less), so fans should appreciate having it.
"The Foxy Duckling" – (1947, Arthur Davis)
In search of stuffing for his pillow, a fox tries to chase down a quick-witted duck. One of the few shorts not starring an instantly recognizable character, this one's B-tier at best but kind of a pleasant little surprise.
"Two Gophers from Texas" (1947, Arthur Davis)
A dog tries and fails to capture the Goofy Gophers, but a helpful book might give him the edge. The second of nine "GG" shorts (and the only one directed by Davis), this is another rescued from Laserdisc.
"Doggone Cats" (1947, Arthur Davis)
Sylvester and his brother try to get even with a dog named Wellington by taking a package he's supposed to deliver. Yet another that, as far as I know, hasn't been available on home video since Laserdisc.
"What's Brewin', Bruin?" (1947, Chuck Jones)
Everyone's favorite dysfunctional grizzlies, The Three Bears, settle down for hibernation but Papa Bear keeps getting woken up by noises. Remember, beating your kids is only OK if they're stupid.
"The Bee-Deviled Bruin" (1949, Chuck Jones)
The Three Bears sit down for breakfast... but they're all out of honey, and Papa Bear isn't cut out for beekeeping. As far as I know, this short has never been released on home video. For that alone, it's worth a look.
I really wish Warner Bros Archive would put out more focused sets when releasing these classic Looney Tunes, especially era and character wise. All their Blu-Ray releases have been a hodgepodge of characters through various years. Even with that said, the mediocre sound and lack of extras, this collection is still must-have material for anyone who grew up watching these classic cartoons as a child. These timeless shorts are restored, remastered, uncut, and most importantly highlight the legendary characters: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat, and Porky Pig.
