A Burning Desire

Tex Avery (and gagman Heck Allen) had a challenge making The Shooting of Dan McGoo (released in 1945). He had to find new variations on the reactions of the wolf to “Red” than the ones in Red Hot Riding Hood (released in 1943).



The difference this time is Droopy was added to the mix.

In the scene below, Droopy anticipates what’s going to happen by casually raising a menu over the wolf’s eyes to block his vision. It is not effective.



Note in the second frame above, the wolf’s eyes turn red.

Avery had used the Robert W. Service tale of Dan McGrew as the basis for a parody in 1939 when Warners released Dangerous Dan McFoo. This one, of course, has Preston Blair’s wonderful animation of Red, er, Lou, and a quicker pace than the earlier cartoon.

There’s great timing in the gag where the wolf downs the straight whiskey. He immediately knows, despite his reaction, something’s wrong. Avery uses only three frames to get the wolf off the floor and into the bartender’s face to tell him “This stuff’s been cut.” (The camera zooms in for a closer shot for emphasis).

Frank Graham supplies most of the voices here, including the wolf and the off-stage emcee.