Duck Amuck

Yep, I'm reviewing more classic Looney Tunes from my childhood: 

I imagine everyone is fine with me discussing one more Looney Tunes classic. Besides it being the most popular LT short on Letterboxd and most feel this is one of the best the studio ever did if not the best, Amuck is another cartoon viewed often as a little kid. Despite having not seen Amuck in more than 30 years, various moments and even sounds were distinctly remembered by me.

The opening: Daffy Duck is in a swashbuckling adventure, when suddenly the animation runs out. Yes, this is an effort where the 4th wall is broken throughout. Neither Daffy nor the viewer can see the animator aside from his hand and pencil but after Daffy yells at the animator, this unseen foe trolls him throughout. This is done via drawing Daffy in a different body, changing the backgrounds, using inappropriate sound effects, and other clever moments where both the trolling and Daffy’s anger escalates. Other moments I dare not reveal, including the perfect reveal at the conclusion.

As a kid, Duck Amuck felt fresh & a stark contrast to a typical cartoon; even in 2025 when the 4th wall is broken far more often in media, Duck Amuck still feels fresh in its battle between a lead character and an animator that increases their torment against Daffy as our feathery friend increases their insults against the tormentor. As mentioned yesterday, what a team that Warner Bros. had in their animation depart for a few decades-arguably their MVP is Mel Blanc and the dozens of unforgettable voices he created, Daffy included.

It may be a long while before Looney Tunes is discussed again on Letterboxd by myself. For this weekend, I was happy to bring back those long-dormant childhood memories; my opinions on what passes for children’s entertainment in the 21st century will remain unsaid. I am thankful that my childhood in the 80’s & 90’s included many great cartoons from Looney Tunes, Disney, and several other entities.