Birth of a Notion (film)
1947 cartoon by Robert McKimson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Birth of a Notion is a 1947 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Bob Clampett and Robert McKimson.[3] The cartoon was released on April 12, 1947, and stars Daffy Duck.[4]
Robert McKimson
Stan Freberg
| Birth of a Notion | |
|---|---|
Blue Ribbon title card | |
| Directed by | Bob Clampett Robert McKimson |
| Story by | Warren Foster |
| Starring | Mel Blanc Stan Freberg |
| Music by | Carl Stalling |
| Animation by | Richard Bickenbach Cal Dalton I. Ellis Rod Scribner Anatole Kirsanoff Fred Abranz[1] |
| Layouts by | Cornett Wood |
| Backgrounds by | Richard H. Thomas |
| Color process | Technicolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures The Vitaphone Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 7 minutes |
| Language | English |
Plot
Daffy, unlike his avian counterparts, declines migration southward for winter and orchestrates his winter stay with Leopold, a credulous dog, by feigning a life-saving act. However, complications arise when confronted with Leopold's master, a scientist fixated on acquiring a duck's wishbone for an experiment.
Daffy's disdain for the scientist's demand leads to a failed assassination endeavor, prompting the scientist to retaliate with lethal traps. Meanwhile, Leopold experiences alienation amidst the chaos. Ultimately, Daffy departs, but the scientist settles for a dog's wishbone, prompting Leopold's departure as well. Daffy's attempt at infiltrating another abode is thwarted by a Joe Besser-esque grey duck, resulting in Daffy's inadvertent flight southward, where he discovers Leopold, equipped with a makeshift flying apparatus, accompanying him.
Production notes
Director Robert McKimson employs his character design of "Barnyard Dawg" to portray Leopold, the canine companion of the mad scientist, with the scientist himself a visual and vocal caricature of Peter Lorre.
The title, Birth of a Notion, alludes to The Birth of a Nation, though no thematic connection exists between the two films.
This short was initially slated for direction by Bob Clampett, alongside Bacall to Arms and Goofy Gophers, both of which were ultimately completed by Arthur Davis following Clampett's departure from Warner Bros.
Cast
- Mel Blanc as Daffy Duck, Leopold the dog, and Joe Besser duck
- Stan Freberg as Peter Lorre scientist
Home media
This short can be found on disc 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6 DVD set[5] and disc 2 of the Looney Tunes Collector's Vault: Volume 1 Blu-ray set.[6]