Exploring Goo-Goo Goliath (1954): Friz Freleng's Quirky Classic

[@christianhardtofind6349]

Even though this is a Friz cartoon, the premise reminds me of something Chuck would do later on. (i.e., "Rocket Bye Baby" or "I Was A Teenage Thumb.")

[@canaisyoung3601]

Yeah. That's why I was confused when I discovered this was a Freleng cartoon.

[@ShanghaiSheepdog2.0]

Every time I watch this short I can't help but think that this is kind of a precursor to Rocket-Bye Baby, although more oriented around blackout gags than anything really deeper involving the characters (and of course without drunk storks). Speaking of the stork, I do find it interesting that Freleng and Foster chose to add him in a few more shorts after his debut, even though most of the time he acts as a mere framing device (with the only exception being Stork Naked) and while I'm not a huge fan of the character he still had his moments. But speaking of the cartoon itself, I must say that I wasn't too disappointed after watching it and most of the gags work, especially the part about the car ignition, which is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this short and, as simplistic as it is, I think I have a soft spot for those stylized backgrounds and designs in the UPA style, which is probably the reason why I'm one of the few people who like There Auto Be A Law (lame jokes aside, I don't think it was that bad). I'll give this a 7, it's a more entertaining short than you'd expect given the premise but it's not a big standout compared to the others this year.

[@jonathanadair6847]

The only cartoon where the drunk stork does not appear with any recurring characters.

[@canaisyoung3601]

I had to go back just to make sure you were correct. You are. That being said, was this Freleng's attempt at making The Drunken Stork his own character by giving him his own cartoon?

[@ShanghaiSheepdog2.0]

I'd say that unlike this one, Stork Naked looks more like a real drunk stork cartoon that happens to co-star Daffy. You can tell because this was the only time he got any significant amount of screen time, getting a little more insight into why he's always drunk, and also because it's such a contrast to his previous appearances, where he's clearly determined to deliver the baby to what he believes is the right place no matter what setbacks he has to face, you'd rarely see something heroic like this involving the stork. But apparently Freleng and Foster realized that he works better as a supporting character than a main character after this.

[@glowworm2]

There is one Brown Derby restaurant left at the Disney MGM studios in Florida.

[@glowworm2]

This short is cute. As others have mentioned it's kind of similar to a later Jones' short, Rocket-Bye-Baby--except the baby in question there is a Martian and the accidental baby swap is due to a space phenomenon of sorts--no drunk storks are to blame there. Anyway, the couple who end up with the giant baby, John and Ethel actually show up in another Freleng short a year later, Pizzicato Pussycat, although Ethel is now called Vy in this one. (John gets to keep his name.) I prefer Pizzicato Pussycat more, but again, this short has some funny moments. My favorite is when the car won't start so Jr. has to give it a push like it's one of those toy cars children play with. The topper that Jr. is getting better at it as the father made it all the way to his office this time is great. I also love the very oblivious cop asking to describe the missing baby-nonchalantly getting down the baby's height and asking if there are any distinguishing marks about him. Then the baby toddles past the window of the police department. 🤣🤣The cop's reaction is priceless. I also love the Brown Derby gag. That's just silly! 😂😂 Also, damn it, that giant is trying his best to change that tiny baby's diaper. Such a good sport.

[@garylockhart7112]

Looking at that chart I wonder if that was a reference to the post war baby boom?

[@Randomlad.0737]

Anthony, your giving to many cartoons a 8.5/10, you can give a 8/10 or below rating.

[@jonathanadair6847]

Kind of hard to do, considering the number of gems Warner turned out in the late 40’s and early 50’s.

[@Randomlad.0737]

@jonathanadair6847 There were many classics around this period, 1943-54 being my favourite years for Warner Cartoons, but don't you notice he rarely gives a plain 8/10?

[@glowworm2]

@@Randomlad.0737 Trust me, he'll get to some pretty sour ones later on when he reaches the 60s. Most of these shorts are pretty solid right now though. The next one coming up "By Word of Mouse" is a bit of a clunker, in my opinion though.

[@Randomlad.0737]

​@@glowworm2 Oh definitely, it's just a "Pro Capitalism" short, which I saw a lot when I was a kid.

[@glowworm2]

@@Randomlad.0737 Out of those three shorts, it was actually "Yankee Dood It" that I saw the most often as a child. Also, My Little Duckaroo is another one of Jones' rare misses around this time. It's not terrible (I saw it a lot as a kid, so I have a soft spot for it) but it pales next to Drip-Along Daffy.

[@MichaelChong100]

May I ask besides the commentary, have you done a review of Stage Door Cartoon (1944)?

[@AnthonysAnimationTalk]

Not yet! Getting there eventually

[@RollingClone221]

Eh I kinda find this short to be mediocre, the gags are just fine at best with the stork character being funny as usual just didn't like the other gags with the parents and the big baby, animation is fine for its simplicity, 7/10.

[@canaisyoung3601]

A seven or even a six and a half feels more right with this one, compared to that later cartoon that was like this, but was directed by Chuck Jones and had aliens in it instead of giants. And another thing: why isn't suburban fantasy a popular or semi-popular genre for books, movies, and TV? This and that Chuck Jones cartoon I mentioned would be prime candidates for that. Adapting the changeling/switched at birth story for the modern day and shining a spotlight on the satirical aspects of parenting and parenthood. That's gold right there. Okay, the only reason I went on that tangent is because there's no Censorship Report for this short, and I can't think of what should have been cut on what network. I guess it's too mediocre or not problematic enough to warrant censorial interference. The only censorship I can think of for this is it didn't air much because of the Drunken Stork being featured as some censors do consider drunk characters to be inappropriate for kids (which means that Senator Prevert from "You Can't Do That on Television" would be canceled in today's climate). The next five cartoons after this are (no gimmick today. Sorry): 1) By Word of Mouse: A Friz Freleng Sylvester cartoon where Sylvester goes after two mice trying to learn about the American economy in the 1950s and how department stores compete for customers. This is also the last cartoon of 1954 for Friz Freleng. What a way to end. 2) From A to Z-z-z-z: The first of only two Chuck Jones cartoons featuring Ralph Phillips, a boy with a big imagination and little time for the real world. In this, the first installment that actually was nominated for an Oscar, Ralph tries to balance his fantasy life during a typical 1950s school day for kids his age. 3) Quack Shot: Robert McKimson's last cartoon of 1954, where Daffy's revenge on Elmer for shooting a mallard goes hilariously wrong. 4) My Little Duckaroo: Chuck Jones's Daffy/Porky genre spoofs return, as does Daffy being a Wild West hero and Porky being the faithful sidekick/comic relief in this sequel of sorts to "Drip-Along Daffy", where Daffy finds Nasty Canasta in his hideout and tries to arrest him. 5) Sheep Ahoy: The return of the Sam Sheepdog and Ralph Wolf cartoons, only the names are more inconsistent here as they were in the first. You can tell Chuck and Mike were trying to sort things out.

[@Randomlad.0737]

Ya, an 8.5 is a bit too high for this short.

[@canaisyoung3601]

​@@Randomlad.0737Yeah, but if Anthony thinks highly of it, then he can rate it however he wants.

[@Randomlad.0737]

@@canaisyoung3601 Ya I know, it's just my personal opinion.