Tex Avery's Droopy: The Complete Theatrical Collection

This two-disc set collects all 24 Droopy cartoons that former Warner Bros. animator Tex Avery (who is credited with developing Bugs Bunny's brash personality) made for MGM. Avery's cartoons were faster and funnier than anyone else's, so it's odd that one of his most famous characters is a laconic, lethargic bassett hound who makes Buster Keaton look like Jim Carrey. Droopy made his auspicious debut in the 1943 classic “Dumb-Hounded,” in which he relentlessly pursues the Wolf, who has broken out of prison. “You know what?” Droopy addresses the audience, “I'm the hero.” Everywhere the Wolf goes, Droopy anticipates him (“Yeah, I know,” the Wolf says as he takes refuge in an igloo, “he'll be right behind me.” “Nope,” a sign next to him reads, “Too cold.”). The early cartoons all carry the same punchline: whether receiving a reward or a kiss from Avery's famed red-headed siren (as in “The Shooting of Dan McGoo”), Droopy loses all inhibitions, only to revert back to type and say, “You know what? I'm happy.” Avery's best cartoons are pell-mell-paced, hellzapoppin' gag-fests, with jokes ranging from the literal (“He looked like he had a foot in the grave”) to the surreally screwball, as when the fleeing Wolf careens off the film frame in “Dumb-Hounded” and its sequel/remake, “Northwest Hounded Police.” The later cartoons here, directed by Michael Lah and Dick Lundy, lack that crazed Avery touch. Kids will love Droopy, but these cartoons do feature mildly risqué gags, smoking and drinking, and—as an onscreen disclaimer cautions—some unfortunate racial stereotypes (mostly blackface routines). DVD extras include a retrospective featurette on Avery's career, and a Droopy highlights reel. The shorts collected here offer a fine introduction to Avery's unique animated universe. And you know what? I'm happy they're on DVD. Highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)