When Bluebeard opens the cabinet to find something for his indigestion (caused by eating bombs not-well-disguised as popovers) what do we see?
On the top shelf is Frizby Mixture for director Friz Freleng and Maltese Minestrone for that native son of Italy, via New York City, writer Mike Maltese.
On the middle shelf is Ted Pierce’s Medicine, named for writer Tedd Pierce, McKimk’s Solution for director Bob McKimson and Dr. Foster’s Panacea for writer Warren Foster.
On the bottom shelf is Jones Laxitive (sic) for director Chuck Jones. It’s next to the bottle of Lydia Hokum, a parody of the Lydia Pinkham tonic.
“Alky Haul” may have been popular with many of the staff members, certainly more so than Quinine, Boric Acid or Castor Erl.
Hidden on the middle shelf is a hair oil, perhaps named for Hawley Pratt, Friz layout artist. His name shows up as “Hadley” in other Warners backgrounds.
Did director Art Davis use the Hair Tonic?
Davis’ old buddy, Sid Marcus, wrote the cartoon, with animation by Bill Melendez, Emery Hawkins, Don Williams and Basil Davidovich, with layouts by Don Smith.
The cartoon was the last one made by the Davis unit, and released on Oct. 21, 1949.
Years ago, there was a website devoted to inside and background gags at Warners cartoons. It has suffered the fate of many a site. It’s off-line. But view it here.
Interesting to note how morbid the end is. When Bluebeard explodes, that's it. He is gone. You don't see the comical ascent to heaven or descent to Hell.
ReplyDelete