The Shooting of Dan McGoo
| The Shooting of Dan McGoo | |
|---|---|
 Original Theatrical Release poster | |
| Directed by | Tex Avery |
| Produced by | Fred Quimby (unc. on original issue) |
| Written by |
Robert W. Service (poem) Heck Allen |
| Starring |
Bill Thompson Frank Graham Tex Avery Sara Berner (all uncredited) |
| Music by | Scott Bradley |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 8 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Shooting of Dan McGoo is a cartoon directed by Tex Avery. It starred Frank Graham as the Wolf. Both Avery and Bill Thompson voiced the lead character Droopy. Sara Berner did the speaking voice of Lou, while her singing was provided by Imogene Lynn.[1] The cartoon was edited for a 1951 re-release, removing two cigarette-related gags from the film (as well as the original opening titles).[2]
Plot
This starts off as an adaptation of Robert W. Service's poem in spoof of The Shooting of Dan McGrew, complete with a literal depiction of a man with one foot in the grave, but when Dan McGoo turns out to be Droopy, it turns into another Droopy-versus-the Wolf/Wolf-goes-ape-for-the-girl gagfest.
The story begins in Coldernell, Alaska—Population 320 and getting smaller—a wild, rough town where gold is king and gambling, drinking and shooting each other are the major activities. Droopy is Dangerous Dan McGoo, a lone gambler, whose only love is the girl they call "Lou", played by Red (from Red Hot Riding Hood). The wolf drags himself into the Malamute Saloon from the 50-below cold and immediately pays for "drinks on the house".
In a gag, the wolf wants a drink of whiskey (Old Panther). After he chugs it down, the film shows his stomach being blasted from the drink. His eyes go red, and smoke comes out of his ears. He flies around the room and comes back to the bar. Leaning over to the bartender, he complains, "This stuff's been cut!"
As always, the wolf falls for Lou and tries to drag her off, when "The lights went out! A woman screamed and two guns blazed in the dark!" And when the lights go back up, Droopy is victorious, which makes one wonder why the picture is called The Shooting of Dan McGoo since he isn't the one getting shot!
References
- ↑ Daily Variety, March 10, 1945, pg. 10
- ↑ http://www.cartoonresearch.com/mgm.html - Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research