Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice – Vol. 1 (Blu-ray Review)
- Review Date: Apr 03, 2024
- Format: Blu-ray Disc
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Director
Frank Tashlin/Robert McKimson/Arthur Davis/Chuck Jones/Friz FrelengRelease Date(s)
1945-1959 (May 30, 2023)Studio(s)
Warner Bros. (Warner Archive Collection)- Film/Program Grade: A
- Video Grade: B+
- Audio Grade: B
- Extras Grade: F
- Overall Grade: A-
Review
Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies need little to no introduction. Mainstays of our collective childhoods (and adulthoods) for decades since they first premiered theatrically, and in regular rotation on television ever since, these well-crafted slices of animated comedy goodness continue to reign supreme as some of the greatest cartoon slapstick ever produced. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner, Sylvester and Tweety Bird, Foghorn Leghorn, and many others have fully embedded themselves in our popular culture, and more cartoons, films, and merchandise continue to be made starring these characters.
These shorts have also been released on every major home video format in various packages over the years. Because they were a product of the times in which they were made, some were subsequently censored or simply never re-released, for a variety of reasons. Since they weren’t originally produced for the enjoyment of children solely, characters do outrageously violent and non-politically correct things like blow each other up with guns and cannons, smoke cigarettes, and set each other on fire, all for comedic purposes. They also make references to, what was then, pop culture items, whether it was politically or socially-sourced, or drawn from books, films, radio, and TV programs. As such, some of the references are not always understood, but many are inadvertently exposed to and educated about them because of it.
When it comes to censorship, the biggest obstacle of all is the racial stereotyping of the era; whether it’s characters wearing black or yellow face, or dressing up as Indigenous peoples, there’s simply no excuse for it. Some might argue that it’s relatively harmless over true life atrocities against anyone who’s not white or male, but we must acknowledge and understand our complicated past—not hide from it—if we are to learn anything from it and be better to each other. This is why, in the age of distributors adjusting and removing their content for these reasons and more, a release like Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice – Vol. 1 is important. These shorts are presented in their uncensored form, and as stated on the back cover, they’re “intended for the Adult Collector and May Not Be Suitable for Children.” In other words, this is not just another re-packaging of old cartoons. It’s vital to the history of our past and our film heritage, and should be treated as such.
The release of Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice – Vol. 1 from the Warner Archive Collection includes twenty animated shorts on a Region A/B-encoded, BD-50 Blu-ray disc in 1080p, retaining their original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The following shorts are included:
- Beanstalk Bunny – Merrie Melodies (1955, Chuck Jones – 6:59)
(Original Titles) - Catch as Cats Can – Merrie Melodies (1947, Art Davis – 7:16)
(Original Titles) - The Unruly Hare – Merrie Melodies (1945, Frank Tashlin – 7:20)
(Original Titles) - His Bitter Half – Merrie Melodies (1950, Friz Freleng – 7:36)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits) - Daffy Doodles – Looney Tunes (1946, Robert McKimson – 7:13)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - Cracked Quack – Merrie Melodies (1952, Friz Freleng – 7:06)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits) - Little Orphan Airedale – Looney Tunes (1947, Chuck Jones – 7:31)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - Hip Hip-Hurry! – Merrie Melodies (1958, Chuck Jones – 6:18)
(Original Titles) - Hot-Rod and Reel! – Looney Tunes (1959, Chuck Jones – 6:28)
(Original Titles) - Greedy for Tweety – Looney Tunes (1957, Friz Freleng – 6:31)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits) - Stooge for a Mouse – Merrie Melodies (1950, Friz Freleng – 7:00)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits) - A Mouse Divided – Merrie Melodies (1953, Friz Freleng – 7:13)
(Original Titles) - A Fractured Leghorn – Merrie Melodies (1950, Robert McKimson – 7:04)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits) - Plop Goes the Weasel – Looney Tunes (1953, Robert McKimson – 6:44)
(Original Titles) - Tale of Two Mice – Looney Tunes (1945, Frank Tashlin – 7:32)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - The Foxy Duckling – Merrie Melodies (1947, Art Davis – 7:35)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - Two Gophers from Texas – Merrie Melodies (1948, Art Davis – 6:55)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - Doggone Cats – Merrie Melodies (1947, Art Davis – 7:04)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - What’s Brewin’, Bruin? – Looney Tunes (1948, Chuck Jones – 7:31)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles) - The Bee-Deviled Bruin – Merrie Melodies (1949, Chuck Jones – 7:04)
(“Blue Ribbon” Re-Release Titles with Crew Credits)
Beanstalk Bunny and Catch as Cats Can were newly-scanned in 4K from their original nitrate camera negatives (which consequently held up this release for nearly a year since the negatives were held at the Library of Congress and had to be shipped during the winter when it was cold outside to prevent their possible destruction). The rest of the shorts were restored three years prior, though Warner Archive was able to make minor corrections that the team who restored those shorts overlooked. Unfortunately, not all of the titles missing from their respective shorts could be restored, as noted above.
Without a doubt, these are more vibrant and detailed than ever before with bitrates primarily running between 30 and 40Mbps. Their original color palettes are maintained throughout with crisper linework and greater contrast with deep blacks. Minor cel dirt and debris is present, but grain appears a tad absent as some noise reduction has been applied. Some shorts are cleaner-looking than others, but nothing has been done to compromise the integrity of the original artwork. They could appear a bit more natural than they do, but they certainly don’t appear glossy or inorganic, and they’re a major step up from their standard definition counterparts.
Audio is presented in English and Spanish 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio. Not all of these tracks are created equal as there are obvious differences from ‘toon to ‘toon, mostly in treble, hiss, and occasionally mild crackle. Otherwise, everything is given good support. Subtitle options include English SDH and French.
No extras have been included, but many of these cartoons have never been released on optical disc before, let alone uncut. Commentaries and featurettes would have been welcomed, of course, but the real prize is the main content, which takes priority over everything else.
Looney Tunes: Collector’s Choice – Vol. 1 is a wonderful start to what is hoped to be a long-running series of Blu-ray releases. With over a thousand theatrical shorts at their possible disposal, Warner Archive may be in business for quite a while. Thank goodness.
- Tim Salmons
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