The Foghorn Leghorn
Encyclopedia
The Foghorn Leghorn is a Henery Hawk
/Foghorn Leghorn animated short film from Warner Bros.
released in 1948
and directed by Robert McKimson
. Foghorn has to convince an unbelieving Henery Hawk that he really is a "chicken. Rooster, that is."
This was only one of five post-1948 WB cartoons to get a Blue Ribbon reissue prior to 1956 - with the original credits cut. The others were Daffy Dilly
, Kit for Cat
, Scaredy Cat
, and You Were Never Duckier
. The Foghorn Leghorn was the only one of these to star neither Daffy Duck
nor Sylvester
(both of which are known for their lisp), and the only Robert McKimson
-directed cartoon in the group (Kit for Cat was directed by Friz Freleng
, the others by Chuck Jones
).
is talking with his Grandfather about wanting to get a chicken, but Henery's Grandfather dissuades him, as he'd get in the way. Notably, Henery's Grandfather lies about what a chicken looks like, leaving Henery in the dark as to what a chicken really is.
Henery's Grandfather raids a chicken coop and walks out with a couple of chickens, but is stopped by Foghorn, who doesn't let Henery's Grandfather get a word in edgewise before kicking him out. (Foghorn uses this technique against a cat
several times, two years later in A Fractured Leghorn
, because the cat wants the same worm as Foghorn.) When Henery asks his Grandfather if that was a chicken, his Grandfather claims Foghorn isn't a chicken but a "loud-mouthed schnook" (walking away with a yellow stripe down his back, signifying that he's a coward). Henery goes over to Barnyard Dawg's house, and knocks the dog out with a hammer. Foghorn stops them and asks Henery what he thinks he is — to which Henery replies that Foghorn is a "loud-mouthed schnook." Foghorn isn't helped when the dog wakes up and kicks him, calling him a schnook.
Foghorn continues to try and convince Henery that "I'm a chicken. Rooster, that is." He tries to crow at "sun-up" (pulling up a cardboard cutout of the sun and crowing), but that doesn't work. As Henery exits before Foghorn can even finish his demonstration, leaving only two signs in his absence. The first reading; "Shnook!" and the second saying; "Loud Mouth'd That Is!". When Henery pushes along a trunk, Foghorn again tries to straighten Henery out, but his emphasising by hitting the trunk winds up hitting the Barnyard Dawg
, who chases Foghorn up a ladder and into a watermelon
, after which Foghorn mutters "Some days it don't pay to get outta bed!".
When Henery throws a stick of dynamite into the Barnyard Dawg's house, the dog slams Foghorn to the ground several times and finally calls him a "good-for-nothing chicken
", which is enough for Henery — he knocks Foghorn down with a shovel and starts dragging him away. Although Foghorn now calls himself a "loudmouthed schnook", Henery says, "Chicken or schnook, in our oven he'll look good!"
Henery Hawk
Henery Hawk is a cartoon character from the American Looney Tunes series, who appeared in twelve cartoons. His first appearance was The Squawkin' Hawk, directed by Chuck Jones and produced by Leon Schlesinger. Henery's next appearance was Walky Talky Hawky which also featured Foghorn Leghorn and...
/Foghorn Leghorn animated short film from Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
released in 1948
1948 in film
The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :...
and directed by Robert McKimson
Robert McKimson
Robert "Bob" Porter McKimson, Sr. was an American animator, illustrator, and director best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros., and later DePatie-Freleng Enterprises...
. Foghorn has to convince an unbelieving Henery Hawk that he really is a "chicken. Rooster, that is."
This was only one of five post-1948 WB cartoons to get a Blue Ribbon reissue prior to 1956 - with the original credits cut. The others were Daffy Dilly
Daffy Dilly
Daffy Dilly is a 1948 Merrie Melodies cartoon starring Daffy Duck. It is another early example of a greedy, self-centered Daffy , as perfected by this cartoon's director, Chuck Jones....
, Kit for Cat
Kit for Cat
Kit for Cat is a 1948 Looney Tunes cartoon starring the cat that would eventually be known as Sylvester, an unknown cat, and Elmer Fudd. This cartoon features Elmer Fudd without his hat or hunting clothes just like he does with others....
, Scaredy Cat
Scaredy Cat
Scaredy Cat is a 1948 Merrie Melodies cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones and produced and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was the first of three Jones cartoons which placed Porky Pig and Sylvester the cat in a spooky setting where only Sylvester was aware of the danger - the other two films...
, and You Were Never Duckier
You Were Never Duckier
You Were Never Duckier is an animated cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series from 1948. Starring Daffy Duck and Henery Hawk, this cartoon was significant for several reasons. It ushered in a new "era" as the first ever Warner Bros. cartoon in the post-1948 package to be released...
. The Foghorn Leghorn was the only one of these to star neither Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...
nor Sylvester
Sylvester (Looney Tunes)
Sylvester J. Pussycat, Sr., Sylvester the Cat or simply Sylvester, is a fictional character, a three-time Academy Award-winning anthropomorphic Tuxedo cat in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies repertory, often chasing Tweety Bird, Speedy Gonzales, or Hippety Hopper...
(both of which are known for their lisp), and the only Robert McKimson
Robert McKimson
Robert "Bob" Porter McKimson, Sr. was an American animator, illustrator, and director best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros., and later DePatie-Freleng Enterprises...
-directed cartoon in the group (Kit for Cat was directed by Friz Freleng
Friz Freleng
Isadore "Friz" Freleng was an animator, cartoonist, director, and producer best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros....
, the others by Chuck Jones
Chuck Jones
Charles Martin "Chuck" Jones was an American animator, cartoon artist, screenwriter, producer, and director of animated films, most memorably of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for the Warner Bros. Cartoons studio...
).
Plot
Henery HawkHenery Hawk
Henery Hawk is a cartoon character from the American Looney Tunes series, who appeared in twelve cartoons. His first appearance was The Squawkin' Hawk, directed by Chuck Jones and produced by Leon Schlesinger. Henery's next appearance was Walky Talky Hawky which also featured Foghorn Leghorn and...
is talking with his Grandfather about wanting to get a chicken, but Henery's Grandfather dissuades him, as he'd get in the way. Notably, Henery's Grandfather lies about what a chicken looks like, leaving Henery in the dark as to what a chicken really is.
Henery's Grandfather raids a chicken coop and walks out with a couple of chickens, but is stopped by Foghorn, who doesn't let Henery's Grandfather get a word in edgewise before kicking him out. (Foghorn uses this technique against a cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
several times, two years later in A Fractured Leghorn
A Fractured Leghorn
A Fractured Leghorn is a 1950 Foghorn Leghorn cartoon made by Warner Bros. and directed by Robert McKimson. Foghorn is in pursuit of a snack of earthworm, but if he wants the worm he will have to outwit an anonymous cat, who technically speaks only once in the whole short...
, because the cat wants the same worm as Foghorn.) When Henery asks his Grandfather if that was a chicken, his Grandfather claims Foghorn isn't a chicken but a "loud-mouthed schnook" (walking away with a yellow stripe down his back, signifying that he's a coward). Henery goes over to Barnyard Dawg's house, and knocks the dog out with a hammer. Foghorn stops them and asks Henery what he thinks he is — to which Henery replies that Foghorn is a "loud-mouthed schnook." Foghorn isn't helped when the dog wakes up and kicks him, calling him a schnook.
Foghorn continues to try and convince Henery that "I'm a chicken. Rooster, that is." He tries to crow at "sun-up" (pulling up a cardboard cutout of the sun and crowing), but that doesn't work. As Henery exits before Foghorn can even finish his demonstration, leaving only two signs in his absence. The first reading; "Shnook!" and the second saying; "Loud Mouth'd That Is!". When Henery pushes along a trunk, Foghorn again tries to straighten Henery out, but his emphasising by hitting the trunk winds up hitting the Barnyard Dawg
Barnyard Dawg
Barnyard Dawg is a Looney Tunes character. An adult anthropomorphic basset hound, he is the archenemy of Foghorn Leghorn. He was created by Robert McKimson, who also created Foghorn and was voiced by Mel Blanc...
, who chases Foghorn up a ladder and into a watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
, after which Foghorn mutters "Some days it don't pay to get outta bed!".
When Henery throws a stick of dynamite into the Barnyard Dawg's house, the dog slams Foghorn to the ground several times and finally calls him a "good-for-nothing chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
", which is enough for Henery — he knocks Foghorn down with a shovel and starts dragging him away. Although Foghorn now calls himself a "loudmouthed schnook", Henery says, "Chicken or schnook, in our oven he'll look good!"
Censorship
- On ABC, the part where Barnyard Dawg climbs out of the trunk and gets whacked on the head and face as Foghorn is wildly gesticulating while telling Henery Hawk that he got a trunk instead of a chicken was drastically shortened. Also cut short was the part after the doghouse blows up and Barnyard Dawg throws Foghorn to the ground and kicks him, calling him a "good-for-nothing chicken" (which finally convinces Henery Hawk that Foghorn is a chicken).
- The CBS version leaves in the trunk sequence, but cuts out the climatic scene where Henery throws a stick of lit dynamite into the barnyard dog's house. Foghorn, fearing blame, attempts to retrieve the dynamite, but fails and gets slammed several times to the ground by Barnyard Dawg. When Henery hears this, he realizes that Foghorn really is a chicken (and not a "schnook") and bashes Foghorn over the face with a shovel after Foghorn says, "That's what I've been, ah say, that's what I've been tellin' ya, boy: I am a chicken!" As a result of the edits, it was suggested that Foghorn had simply "talked [Henery] into it."
Availability
- This cartoon is on The Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1 is a DVD box set that was released by Warner Home Video on October 28, 2003. It contains 56 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons and numerous supplements...
DVD box set (on disc four), with original title card and credits (as opposed to the Blue Ribbon Merrie Melodies title card used when this cartoon was released on the Looney Tunes Golden Jubilee VHS set and shown on television). With this DVD release, it surpassed Hen House Henery (originally released in 1949) as the earliest-released Foghorn Leghorn cartoon to survive with its original credits intact (only to be surpassed by Crowing PainsCrowing PainsCrowing Pains is a cartoon in the Looney Tunes series that was released in 1947. The cartoon, directed by Robert McKimson, stars Henery Hawk, Sylvester, and Foghorn Leghorn and The Barnyard Dawg, all of whom are voiced by Mel Blanc. It is also the first cartoon to feature more than two Looney Tunes...
from The Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 6Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 6 is a four-disc DVD box set collection of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. Following the pattern of one release each year of the previous volumes, it was released on October 21, 2008....
in 2008).