The Ducktators (1942)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Admirable film.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

. . . is a cigar ever JUST a cigar? THE DUCKTATORS opens with cigars galore, as the Adolph Hitler Duck's parents celebrate the hatching of their admitted "bad egg." In 1942 most people in the viewing audience would have seen this as a Current Events Spoof, mostly touching on happenings in (then) far-off Europe. They could never guess how clever Warner Bros.' Looney Tuners would prove in sneaking a second message even more important than the Surface Yuk Fest into the underbelly of each animated short, warning America of its approaching Calamities, Cataclysms, Catastrophes, and Apocalypti into the 21st Century and Beyond (if any). As the Hitler Duck spews his rancid rhetoric in broken German, the narrator intones "And there were some gullible ones who listened." As THE DUCKTATORS segues into the Infamous Axis Triad including Hitler's bunk mates Hirohito and Mussolini, 40% of Americans have noticed that the gullible OTHER 60% are marching in lock-step with a dude who sounds just like old Mr. Sig Heil! The Trumpsters' rise to power is as implausible as that of the Arty Austrian Corporal, whose Secret Pact with Mad Dog Stalin is echoed by the unreleased Donald J. Duck tax returns detailing how he is beholden for BILLIONS to Stalin's successor, Mad Dog Putin. Will this Manchurian Candidate prevail--despite Warner's DUCKTATORS warning--with his plan to liquidate the assets of U.S. taxpayers (such as our Original Constitution and the Liberty Bell) to settle the never-itemized personal debts he racked up during AT LEAST four bankruptcies from the ill-advised business dealings that squandered away the wealth this Trumpster inherited from Daddy?

In one of the many WWII-themed Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoons, Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito are portrayed as ducks taking over a barnyard. One thing that I noticed that the cartoon does is show a sign apologizing to the good ducks and geese about the potentially offensive material. And then they follow it with the Hirohito duck (with giant teeth and slits for eyes). That's wartime for ya.As can be expected, the Hitler duck is a raving lunatic (his mama done told him), while the Mussolini duck - or goose - is a tub of lard. Given how the cartoon explains that some of the farm animals fell for the Fuhrer's game, we might interpret that as an explanation of how people fall for what these despots propose: they do what they're told.All in all, a pretty funny cartoon. That looked like Daffy as the Southern German duck.

This cartoon from 1942 is a cute way to discuss the evil menace of the Axis Powers. Hitler, Mussolini and a Japanese duck run amok in the farm yard spreading lies and bullying the other animals. Finally, the others who only wanted peace have had enough and proceed to whip the annoying three. This is a wonderful positive propaganda piece that was designed to solidify everyone behind the war effort and poke fun at the Fascists. While occasionally the cartoon lags and there is a joke about Black Southern ducks that might offend some, the cartoon is overall very well made and effective--possessing the usual high production values in Looney Toons cartoons.FYI--Although the Hitler duck was said to have been a "paper hanger", this is a common mistaken belief about Hitler. There is no evidence that he ever made a living wallpapering.

This is a propaganda cartoon made during World War II. The black and white Looney Tunes cartoon tells the story of Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito only they are portrayed as ducks. The barnyard they are on must present the world. We see how the three take over that barnyard but how one duck ends that. That duck, I guess, must be the United States of America.The short is nice propaganda and especially the first minute where the Hitler-duck is born is great. After this it is entertaining but to be honest not that great. When the Japanese duck is introduced it gets a little better. Overall it is a nice cartoon and a perfect example of propaganda with this medium.