“A lesser duck would give up about now.”
Directed by Robert McKimson; Story by David Detiege; Animation by Warren Batchelder, Bob Matz, and Manny Perez; Layouts by Dick Ung; Backgrounds by George de Lado; Film Editor: Lee Gunther; Voice Characterization by Mel Blanc and Gonzales Gonzales; Musical Direction by Bill Lava. A Merrie Melody released on November 20, 1965.
There’s quite a crowd in front of Daffy’s radio/television store. Daffy is pretty peeved to find them watching a live-action bullfight. I would be too, as that crap is abhorrent, barbaric, cruel and distasteful. (And I could keep going down the alphabet to express my disdain.) But it’s Daffy and he’s mad because they’re not paying to watch that garbage. He turns it off, proclaiming that in his shop, you purchase before you enjoy.
Speedy is celebrating his birthday within the walls. He’s reached the age of one, surrounded by four of his closest friends and his girlfriend of the day, and an all cheese and no cake, cheesecake. The only thing missing from this party is music, and Speedy turns on one of Daffy’s radios to remedy that. Daffy turns it right off and reminds them of his motto: money = music. They don’t have the first part of that equation, so Daffy reasons that they got nothing. Speedy’s fickle friends decide that there is no point in celebrating one’s birth without music, and with the threat of a walkout on his paws, Speedy has no choice but to tune in.
Speedy’s dancing is interrupted by Daffy changing the station. And I wasn’t even sure what was happening at first as Speedy freezes in horror slightly before the switch. I thought he was reacting to poison and the new music was just a background tune indicating the danger. Probably not fair to blame the short for that, but the timing really did throw me. Speedy’s jerks, and by that I mean friends, are angered so Speedy has to go change things again. Running right through the vacuum and its cord that we didn’t even see Daffy set up. I kinda like the cartoon allowing us to figure things on our own, but I could see people wondering if some insensitive scene was cut.
Daffy’s got a new tactic, turning the music off, when turning it back on as soon as Speedy arrives to turn it back again. (The repeating “aww”‘s from the party mice got me chuckling.) Daffy reasons that this will inevitably tire Speedy out, which is a rather brilliant idea. It does make me wonder how long Speedy can last, but my question remains unanswered as Speedy just throws a doll of himself on the ground to lure Daffy away from the radio. We don’t see this done either, so I really though Speedy had collapsed for a second. Then Speedy puts some dynamite in the contraption. Upon discovering he’s just got a doll, Daffy just decides to hold the off switch, noticing the hissing sounds too late.
Daffy decides to just cut the power to his store to make sure the free samples end. Speedy solves this problem with a transistor radio which leads to a joke so stupid it is a riot. “Friend” #1: “I have a sister who looks like a train.” (The brief look of annoyance on “Friend” #2 adds the butter to this potato.) Daffy decides to end things once and for all, and goes to hold the people at the radio studio at pistol point. And something is touched deep inside on this day when the music died. (Speedy jumps the script again, pausing slightly before his tune stops.)
Speedy really needs some new, better friends, as they once more threaten to leave him on his special day of all days, just because they can’t dance. (Can none of you play?) He solves this problem by running to the station, typing Daffy up and returning music to the masses. Daffy, who is just sitting on a record player without explanation, won’t be left out of the twisting, as Speedy turns the device on. How many rpm’s do you think he can stand? That’s revolutions per minute, you know.
Favorite Part: Speedy reveals his dummy ruse by asking Daffy why he’s playing with a doll. Daffy: “That’sth simple, because I’m obviousthly stupid.” As much fun as a witty repartee can be, sometimes I think it’s funnier when a character just flat out admits they’re losing.
Personal Rating: I give it a 3, because it got me to chuckle audibly a decent amount, but my heart knows it probably is a 2. Sorry if I got your hopes up.