Yankee Doodle Daffy is an enjoyable cartoon. It isn't the best though, the pace is a tad too fast and the title is enough to leave you puzzled as it has little to do with the cartoon itself. But Daffy himself elevates it, he is absolutely brilliant here, uproariously funny as you'd expect. Porky is once again sidelined but he is good, and Sleepy is entertaining with a voice that is totally unexpected, though they could've perhaps made the ending longer I felt it ended rather abruptly. Other than Daffy, I immensely enjoyed the song and dance routines, especially the Carmen Miranda impression. The pictorial signs while maybe ambiguous to a newcomer to Looney Tunes were also a hoot. There are some great gags and the plot allows Daffy to have fun. All in all, I enjoyed the cartoon, in spite of the head-scratching title. 8/10 Bethany Cox
20 Reviews
"This is your lucky day. Opportunity is knocking!"
utgard149 September 2015
Despite the the title, this has nothing to do with the 1942 film biopic of George M. Cohan or the song. The plot has pushy talent agent Daffy trying to persuade producer Porky to give Daffy's client a job. The client in question is an adorable little duck with a lollipop named Sleepy Lagoon. It's not until the end of the short that we find out if Sleepy has talent or not as most of the time is spent on Daffy himself performing. This is a funny short with early Daffy, meaning more zany and silly than the later smart-mouthed foil for Bugs. Daffy's most of the show here but Sleepy is good, too, and Porky is fine as the ever-suffering straight man. The vocal talents of Mel Blanc are, as always, wonderful. The colors, animation, and music are all great. Not one of the best Daffy & Porky shorts but a good one.
Why Yankee Doodle?
Moodri24 April 2002
This is definitely one of Daffy Duck's best. However, I wonder why the term "Yankee Doodle" was used in the title. The cartoon was released during WWII, and Yankee Doodle was used in the title of a number of cartoons at that time, e.g., Tom and Jerry's _Yankee Doodle Mouse, The (1943)_ (qv). With that term as part of the title, one could expect to see soldiers; airplanes; military maneuvers; the bashing of Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito, or Tojo; or at least something related to the war in some way. This cartoon has nothing remotely related to WWII. Perhaps 'Friz Freleng' (qv) figured it wouldn't matter to his audience.
Crazy Daffy makes another great cartoon
bob the moo10 April 2004
Smeller Productions shuts it's doors early when Porky Pig stops auditions for the day in order to go and get his plane for a business appointment. However, his office is stormed by Daffy Duck - Actor's Agent, who is keen to push his young act in front of Porky.
I love Daffy Duck, but I greatly prefer him when he is crazy, in his early days - not only do I prefer his character but also the cartoons seemed to have more value placed upon them. Here I wasn't sure what to expect as the cartoon had a structure that I didn't think would lend itself to a crazy duck - how wrong was I! The plot actually allows Daffy to be crazy (or screwball as his young client points out) in a very funny way. The various acts he puts on are all very funny and work well because he is such a good character. The cartoon dips a little bit when it leaves the office but it is still worth seeing.
Daffy is brilliant. The material may not be the strongest he has ever had but it is he who uses it really well and carries the film. Porky is only really any good when he is reacting to the work of others and, for that reason, he is good here. The little act in question is a small black duck that sits silently for the majority. He is hilarious as he pulls out pictorial signs to comment on the relative sanity of his manager - it is not his fault that he is the focus of a punchline that serves as an anticlimax after such madness!
Overall this is a fantastic little short that allows Daffy to demonstrate why I always prefer him in full `crazy' mode as opposed to his later incarnations. He may be a ham, a corn and a screwball, but Daffy makes this cartoon what it is - great fun!
I love Daffy Duck, but I greatly prefer him when he is crazy, in his early days - not only do I prefer his character but also the cartoons seemed to have more value placed upon them. Here I wasn't sure what to expect as the cartoon had a structure that I didn't think would lend itself to a crazy duck - how wrong was I! The plot actually allows Daffy to be crazy (or screwball as his young client points out) in a very funny way. The various acts he puts on are all very funny and work well because he is such a good character. The cartoon dips a little bit when it leaves the office but it is still worth seeing.
Daffy is brilliant. The material may not be the strongest he has ever had but it is he who uses it really well and carries the film. Porky is only really any good when he is reacting to the work of others and, for that reason, he is good here. The little act in question is a small black duck that sits silently for the majority. He is hilarious as he pulls out pictorial signs to comment on the relative sanity of his manager - it is not his fault that he is the focus of a punchline that serves as an anticlimax after such madness!
Overall this is a fantastic little short that allows Daffy to demonstrate why I always prefer him in full `crazy' mode as opposed to his later incarnations. He may be a ham, a corn and a screwball, but Daffy makes this cartoon what it is - great fun!
Obnoxiousness Personified
Hitchcoc26 March 2019
Daffy invades casting agent Porky's office just as he is heading off to vacation. He is doing everything he can to get a role of some kind. It is the usual frenetic, no holds barred craziness, dominating the scenery. Daffy is like an amphetamine junky, never stopping. It's a decent cartoon with lots of action.
it sucks to be Porky
lee_eisenberg21 June 2005
One thing that I always say about "Mister Ed", "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie", is that it sucks to be Wilbur, Darrin and Maj. Nelson, respectively. I say that because these things that they have to experience at the hands of Ed, Samantha and Jeannie, have got to be mind-numbing. In that respect, it sucks to be Porky Pig in "Yankee Doodle Daffy". In this cartoon, Porky is a talent scout to whom Daffy tries to show the skills of his nephew, Sleepy McGoof. Most of the cartoon has Daffy putting on a series of wacky skits, while Sleepy sits there sucking on a lollipops. No matter what Porky does, he can't seem to get away from them.
This one was a little bit more routine than some of the other Looney Tunes cartoons, but it's still worth seeing.
This one was a little bit more routine than some of the other Looney Tunes cartoons, but it's still worth seeing.
Friz Freling's Yankee Doodle Daffy is one of his best
tavm5 January 2008
This Friz Freling short has the duck trying to impress talent scout Porky Pig with the music abilities of his client, a kid duck named Sleepy Lagoon who sucks on a lollipop throughout most of the short. Daffy sings and dances all over the place changing costumes behind a curtain as Porky keeps trying to leave for a plane to catch a business appointment. This is the "wacky Daffy" of the '30s and '40s that keeps on moving in flashes of lunacy no matter how people react to him. All musical bits are entertaining especially Daffy's Carmen Miranda number. The twist ending is a hoot, too. All in all, Yankee Doodle Daffy is one of Freling's best.
Yankee Doodle Daffy
CinemaSerf17 March 2024
Under the watchful gaze of a statue of an Oscar, "Daffy" tries to extol the talents of "Sleepy Lagoon" to top casting agent "Porky". Thing is, his act just sits on the sofa sucking on a lollipop whilst it's the hugely overactive "Daffy" who does a series of turns with everything from Carmen Miranda to wartime pilot on display. Try as he might, "Porky" can't escape the relentless onslaught - and neither can we, so thankfully he agrees to let the kid try. Maybe he needed a lozenge? Anyway, it's Ok this, but the freneticism of the duck was never my favourite at the best of times, and here it's just a bit in your face and goes on too long.
Friz Freleng's crowning glory- a jaw-droppingly fast paced short with a corking performance by Mel Blanc as Daffy
phantom_tollbooth18 August 2008
'Yankee Doodle Daffy' is probably the greatest cartoon Friz Freleng ever directed. As a Daffy Duck fanatic, I was bound to adore this film since it is basically a seven minute showcase for Daffy's wild energy. It's a fine script but it hinges on the execution, meaning the stars of 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' are director Freleng and voice artist Mel Blanc. The premise is simple; Daffy approaches talent agent Porky Pig with a new act but rather than let the act demonstrate his talents, Daffy insists on emulating everything he promises his client will deliver. This results in a sensational series of song and dance routines in which Daffy pursues a reluctant Porky, who is trying to get away on holiday. Finally, Porky agrees to see Daffy's client, resulting in one of my favourite climactic punchlines of all time.
Friz Freleng is often considered a lesser director with many viewing his cartoons as formulaic and dull. While he undoubtedly lacks the monumental talents of a Jones, an Avery or a Clampett, Freleng is too frequently underestimated. In 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' he really shows his potential, beautifully directing a frantically paced script without any missed opportunities. The short just pulsates with energy and Mel Blanc's vocal tour de force is up there with some of his finest performances. In a list largely populated by his colleagues' work, Friz Freleng's 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' more than holds its own against the competition in my very favourite Warner Bros. cartoons of all time.
Friz Freleng is often considered a lesser director with many viewing his cartoons as formulaic and dull. While he undoubtedly lacks the monumental talents of a Jones, an Avery or a Clampett, Freleng is too frequently underestimated. In 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' he really shows his potential, beautifully directing a frantically paced script without any missed opportunities. The short just pulsates with energy and Mel Blanc's vocal tour de force is up there with some of his finest performances. In a list largely populated by his colleagues' work, Friz Freleng's 'Yankee Doodle Daffy' more than holds its own against the competition in my very favourite Warner Bros. cartoons of all time.
Daffy Duck humiliates Porky Pig . . .
oscaralbert4 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . throughout YANKEE DOODLE DAFFY, primarily on the basis of relative body mass. Just because he's a scrawny Ectomorph, the more limber Daffy thinks he can pull rank on Hollywood "Smeller Pictures" producer Porky, even though agent Daffy represents fourth-rate talents at best. Daffy barges into Porky's office without an appointment, and stymies the busy pig from keeping his flight schedule. (Later, Daffy does away with the flight crew of Porky's charter--off-screen--and kidnaps the Tinseltown exec while flying the purloined plane himself.) Somewhere during these proceedings, Daffy barks, "Just a minute, Chubby!" Pew polling in the 1930s showed that Porky Pig was the Number One Role Model for American kids, mainly because he looked well-fed (unlike many of them and their peers in the Depression-ravaged U.S.). So when Daffy attacks Porky with a disparaging "Chubby," it's tantamount to an assault on ALL half-pint Yankee Doodle Dandies. It staggers the mind that the U.S. War Department Censors allowed this renegade "Chubby" to sneak through under their noses, with likely "fatso's," "Lard-grasses," and "tubby's" lurking around the corner to hurt the self-esteem of future recruits!
Very Disappointing
ccthemovieman-122 February 2007
With the title, I thought I'd see a parody of the great Jimmy Cagney film, "Yankee Doodle Dandy," but that wasn't the case.
The story was just Daffy trying to impress a movie studio mogul (Porky Pig) to get a starring role in a film. He holds Porky captive in the office for awhile and then follows him in a plane and even falling from the airplane, disguised as a parachute.
All the while, Daffy performs his songs and impersonations. The only one I thought was funny was of Carmen Miranda, the lady who made fruit-laden hats famous. Overall, however, this just wasn't funny, which is very unusual for a Daffy Duck cartoon. Hey, ya can't win 'em all!
The story was just Daffy trying to impress a movie studio mogul (Porky Pig) to get a starring role in a film. He holds Porky captive in the office for awhile and then follows him in a plane and even falling from the airplane, disguised as a parachute.
All the while, Daffy performs his songs and impersonations. The only one I thought was funny was of Carmen Miranda, the lady who made fruit-laden hats famous. Overall, however, this just wasn't funny, which is very unusual for a Daffy Duck cartoon. Hey, ya can't win 'em all!
In the midst of World War II, this cheery, crazy cartoon short was made...
Mightyzebra31 January 2008
An earlier Daffy Duck episode, this topsy turvy, wild Daffy Duck short will entertain some and annoy others. As bob the moo (on this site) is constantly putting forward, Daffy is always crazier in his early days. This is one of the cases. Many people may be irritated by the fact that Porky is being annoyed by Daffy, but if you look aside, you will see brilliant gags, an entertaining plot and good music featured.
This is my favourite Daffy Duck episode due to the music, Daffy's crazy personality - and that is about it. Very well worth watching!
In this, Daffy is an Actor's Agent representing a small duck (with a huge lollipop) to Porky, a talent scout. Using the most crazy, fun and musical ways imaginable, Daffy shows Porky what the small duck can do. At the same time though - Porky has a plane to catch...
For Daffy Duck fans who prefer the crazier little black duck and for people who like music in cartoons. Enjoy! :-)
This is my favourite Daffy Duck episode due to the music, Daffy's crazy personality - and that is about it. Very well worth watching!
In this, Daffy is an Actor's Agent representing a small duck (with a huge lollipop) to Porky, a talent scout. Using the most crazy, fun and musical ways imaginable, Daffy shows Porky what the small duck can do. At the same time though - Porky has a plane to catch...
For Daffy Duck fans who prefer the crazier little black duck and for people who like music in cartoons. Enjoy! :-)
Please Stop!
travisimo19 January 2004
To me the early Daffy Duck is kind of like director David Zucker (Airplane!, Naked Gun series, Scary Movie 3) in a way that all the gags are coming at you at a rapid pace, and either they all connect and are hilarious, or it all just falls short. In my opinion, the jokes and gags in Yankee Doodle Daffy fall short. Daffy goes from one old song to the next trying to sell the talents of Sleepy LaGoon, a young protégé, to talent scout, Porky Pig. There were very few funny moments in the cartoon, such as when we're introduced to Sleepy and the classic signs Sleepy used to describe Daffy (Screw + Baseball = Screwball). Other than that, Daffy is just annoying in this cartoon. I was glad when it was over. Daffy's done much better.
My IMDb Rating: 4/10
My IMDb Rating: 4/10
the best Daffy Duck best cartoon
boombotz3223 April 2001
In my opinion, this has got to be the best Daffy Duck cartoon ever....all of the songs he does are great and very hilarious...especially when he sings Laugh Clown Laugh....had me laughing through the entire cartoon...classic Daffy stuff right here.
Daffy's one-man show
nnwahler19 July 2023
Daffy dominates this whole cartoon like barely other efforts with him. I still wonder why the other reviewers can't get the point of the title--it's a pun on the song title, "Yankee Doodle Dandy," fer cryin' out loud!
Many of director Friz Freleng's best films came from musical sources, and this is one of his very finest. It's one of the pinnacles of the earlier career of the early, ZANY version of the duck. Virtually never mentioned in discussions of the duck's (as well as Porky's) supreme works. As Daffy gallops and spits his way through a bewildering medley of tunes, Porky has more than he can manage to hop aboard a plane to an important golf game. All for the sake of auditioning Daffy's client, a diminutive duck, Sleepy Lagoon.
Dazzling use of double-exposure in Daffy's tour-de-force effort. Fantastic timing.
Many of director Friz Freleng's best films came from musical sources, and this is one of his very finest. It's one of the pinnacles of the earlier career of the early, ZANY version of the duck. Virtually never mentioned in discussions of the duck's (as well as Porky's) supreme works. As Daffy gallops and spits his way through a bewildering medley of tunes, Porky has more than he can manage to hop aboard a plane to an important golf game. All for the sake of auditioning Daffy's client, a diminutive duck, Sleepy Lagoon.
Dazzling use of double-exposure in Daffy's tour-de-force effort. Fantastic timing.
More loud and wild than funny or entertaining
Horst_In_Translation5 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The 7-minute "Yankee Doodle Daffy" is a Warner Bros. cartoon from 1943, so two more years and this one has its 75th anniversary. This one features the talent of Friz Freleng, Tedd Pierce, Mel Blanc and Billy Bletcher (and others) like so many other times and to put it in perspective, this is from the dark days of World War II, so all comic relief was appreciated at that time I guess. Nonetheless, this is one of the unpolitical Warner Bros. short films. It features Daffy as a relentless salesman trying to reach an agreement with Porky in this film named after "Yankee Doodle Dandy" obviously. But it was not too funny I must say sadly, the exception were the pilot scene and the parachute scene, especially the latter. But other than that the film did not rely on wit and creativity too much, but it was all about Daffy's chasing and singing and that just wasn't enough. The ending is also not as memorable as it tries to be. As a whole, I am certainly a bit baffled by this film's popularity compared to other superior cartoons. Thumbs down from me. Not recommended.
Yankee has talent
Prismark107 March 2017
Daffy is certainly daffy here. Porky Pig has closed his office and off to catch a plane but he is rudely interrupted by Daffy Duck, actor's agent.
He is representing Sleepy Lagoon, a young duck whose main talent lies in licking a large lollipop but wants Porky Pig to see him audition.
In order to entice Porky Pig who just wants to get away, Daffy Duck gets screwy and puts on all kinds of various acts himself many of which were popular in the period, as Sleepy Lagoon just licks away.
Porky Pig is the straight porcine and this is probably Daffy's persona at its best when he is just plain daft rather than envious of the more famous Bugs Bunny in his later days.
The cartoon short is frenetic but not the best of the Warner Brothers cartoons.
He is representing Sleepy Lagoon, a young duck whose main talent lies in licking a large lollipop but wants Porky Pig to see him audition.
In order to entice Porky Pig who just wants to get away, Daffy Duck gets screwy and puts on all kinds of various acts himself many of which were popular in the period, as Sleepy Lagoon just licks away.
Porky Pig is the straight porcine and this is probably Daffy's persona at its best when he is just plain daft rather than envious of the more famous Bugs Bunny in his later days.
The cartoon short is frenetic but not the best of the Warner Brothers cartoons.
It ain't the kid who possesses the talent!
slymusic16 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
"Yankee Doodle Daffy" is quite an excellent Warner Bros. cartoon starring two of our favorite characters, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, both voiced by that magnificent "Man of a Thousand Voices," Mel Blanc. Porky is the president of Smeller Productions, and he so looks forward to his day off. He doesn't get it, though, thanks to Daffy, a severely pushy talent agent, trying to impress Porky with his brand new find, a kid duckling who only cares about his lollipop.
Highlights: Upon Daffy's first appearance, he puts away Porky's suitcases, golf clubs, and cap, all in rhythm to Carl Stalling's humorous musical accompaniment. Daffy dresses up in a Carmen Miranda outfit and sings a song with incredibly rapid lyrics, beginning and ending with "Boom chicky boom chicky boom!" Daffy makes up his own words to the William Tell Overture while galloping after Porky down a few flights of stairs; he then ends his song with a couple bars of pure swing.
"Yankee Doodle Daffy" was directed by Friz Freleng, and no wonder. Friz was a genuine music lover, a pure "song-and-dance man" who knew how to incorporate music in his cartoons better than any other director.
Highlights: Upon Daffy's first appearance, he puts away Porky's suitcases, golf clubs, and cap, all in rhythm to Carl Stalling's humorous musical accompaniment. Daffy dresses up in a Carmen Miranda outfit and sings a song with incredibly rapid lyrics, beginning and ending with "Boom chicky boom chicky boom!" Daffy makes up his own words to the William Tell Overture while galloping after Porky down a few flights of stairs; he then ends his song with a couple bars of pure swing.
"Yankee Doodle Daffy" was directed by Friz Freleng, and no wonder. Friz was a genuine music lover, a pure "song-and-dance man" who knew how to incorporate music in his cartoons better than any other director.
Yankee Doodle Dud *spoilers*
movieman_kev23 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Daffy Duck won't leave producer, Porky Pig alone in trying to get Porky to hire his young client, who seems content to just suck on his over-sized lollipop. Daffy goes crazy as only he can singing and dancing to get his client a chance and when Porky finally relents, the little brat chokes. Daffy just can't win. There are a few laughs scattered here and there, but overall this short didn't do much for me and it probably will do nothing for you. Only the truly die-hard Daffy Duck fans will be happy with him this time out. And I like the character a lot. This cartoon is on Disk 2 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1"
My Grade: C
My Grade: C
Daffy and Porky
Michael_Elliott12 April 2009
Yankee Doodle Daffy (1943)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Middle ground Looney Tunes short has agent Porky Pig getting ready to leave on vacation when Daffy Duck busts in with his nephew Sleepy LaGoof. Daffy goes into a wild rant trying to get Porky to give the little one an audition but it appears Daffy is more the performer. This has never been one of my favorite shorts in the series but it does have one thing going for it and that's the insane Daffy. Seeing the out of control Daffy is the main reason to sit through this 7-minute short that doesn't have too many laughs but the duck is the star. As far as the laughs go I really can't recall any but that doesn't totally kill the movie thanks again to Daffy. I thought Porky was pretty much wasted in his part but Sleepy does end up getting the best moment at the very end of the film.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Middle ground Looney Tunes short has agent Porky Pig getting ready to leave on vacation when Daffy Duck busts in with his nephew Sleepy LaGoof. Daffy goes into a wild rant trying to get Porky to give the little one an audition but it appears Daffy is more the performer. This has never been one of my favorite shorts in the series but it does have one thing going for it and that's the insane Daffy. Seeing the out of control Daffy is the main reason to sit through this 7-minute short that doesn't have too many laughs but the duck is the star. As far as the laughs go I really can't recall any but that doesn't totally kill the movie thanks again to Daffy. I thought Porky was pretty much wasted in his part but Sleepy does end up getting the best moment at the very end of the film.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
