Barnyard Dawg

Last updated
Barnyard Dawg
Looney Tunes character
Barnyarddawg.jpg
A still of scene of Barnyard Dawg as seen in Walky Talky Hawky (animated by Richard Bickenbach)
First appearance Walky Talky Hawky (August 31, 1946;77 years ago (1946-08-31))
Created by Robert McKimson
Voiced by Mel Blanc (1946–1989)
Robert C. Bruce (1947) [1]
Noel Blanc (1990)
Bob Bergen (1996) [2]
Greg Burson (1998, 2003) [3]
Jeff Bergman (2003, 2018) [4]
Billy West (2003)
Joe Alaskey (2008) [5]
Ben Falcone (2011; singing voice)
Eric Bauza (2018–present)
Andrew Morgado (2022–present)
In-universe information
AliasBarnyard Dawg
Mandrake
Fido [6]
Wover
George P. Mandrake
Species Basset Hound
Gender Male
NationalityAmerican

Barnyard Dawg is a Looney Tunes character. A feisty anthropomorphic basset hound, he is a friend and the archenemy of Foghorn Leghorn. [7] He was created by Robert McKimson, who also created Foghorn, and was voiced by Mel Blanc. Dawg also feuds with other notable Looney Tunes characters as well, such as Henery Hawk, Daffy Duck and Sylvester. He appeared in 23 Golden Age–era Warner Bros. shorts.

Contents

Biography

Dawg's first appearance was in Walky Talky Hawky (1946), the same Henery Hawk cartoon in which Foghorn himself debuted. [8] Although, in that cartoon, Dawg initiates hostilities with Foghorn by dropping a watermelon on his head (prompting Foghorn to grumble "Every day, it's the same thing!"), Dawg is usually seen sleeping in his kennel at a cartoon's beginning, with Foghorn provoking him by slapping his hindquarters with a wooden fencepost, setting the stage for Dawg to seek vengeance, often by manipulating Henery Hawk.

Dawg, called "Mandrake," was cast as a pet to Porky Pig in 1947's One Meat Brawl , where the pair pursue one-shot star Grover Groundhog, who gives the hunting dog a sob story ("Wife and 72 children!...No coal in the cellar...!") that has him weeping sympathetic tears, much to Porky's disgust. [9] Dawg/Mandrake uses this ploy himself in 1949's Daffy Duck Hunt , where, still Porky's pet and hunting companion, he persuades Daffy Duck to play along at being captured so he can avoid punishment from Porky, promising to free the duck later. However, once Daffy is tucked into Porky's freezer, Mandrake goes back on the bargain, although Daffy has little trouble outwitting both him and Porky. Although Dawg usually sports a gruff New York City accent in the Foghorn Leghorn shorts, in Daffy Duck Hunt he speaks mostly with a Southern accent (only one line, "I'll fix that dirty duck!", is rendered in his usual voice). Another character who resembles Dawg (known as Geo R. Dog) would also appear in the 1951 Goofy Gophers cartoon A Bone for a Bone .

In 1958's Don't Axe Me , [10] Dawg, now the pet of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fudd and renamed "Wover," again matches wits with Daffy after convincing Mrs. Fudd to designate the duck as Sunday dinner; surprisingly, Daffy is the loser in this cartoon, although he escapes doom when a guest requests a vegetarian meal instead. In 1958's Gopher Broke , Dawg is the subject of "psychological wearing down" by the Goofy Gophers, Mac and Tosh, who are trying to get their vegetables back. After the gophers initiate phase no. 4 of their plan, which leaves Dawg on top of a telephone pole, he flips out and flies off (literally) after a crow, causing a deadpan pig, who's been witnessing the aftermath of the gophers' abuse against Dawg, to also flip out. While the pig has gone to see an animal psychiatrist, the doctor sees Dawg fly by his window and also flips out enough to join the pig on the couch.

Henery mistakes Dawg for a chicken in The Foghorn Leghorn , because his father told him that chickens are great big monsters with real huge teeth who live in caves; he ignores Foghorn after confusing an insult toward the rooster of being "a loud-mouthed schnook" as some kind of literal species. Henery notices Dawg's mouth and presumes Dawg's doghouse is a kind of cave. Henery repeats the mistake in "The Leghorn Blows at Midnight".

Although Dawg is normally portrayed as the straight man for Foghorn's pranks, in Mother Was a Rooster , he is portrayed in a very negative light, as he not only steals an ostrich egg (he justifies this by explaining that it's been kind of dull round the farm lately, giving reference to his four-year peace between him and Foghorn between Weasel While You Work and Mother Was a Rooster ), he mocks the hatched ostrich, which Foghorn has adopted, and cheats in a boxing match with the rooster.

Dawg also appeared in the movies Space Jam as a member of the Tune Squad, and in Looney Tunes: Back in Action playing cards with other dogs including Ham and Ex, Spike and Chester, the Russian Dog from Hare Ribbin' and Charlie Dog in Yosemite Sam's casino. In Baby Looney Tunes , Dawg appears as a puppy who chases the cool roosters, until Foghorn Leghorn shows the cool roosters how to deal with dogs (through a game of fetch), and instead of joining them, just befriends Dawg.

Barnyard Dawg appeared in The Looney Tunes Show episode "Fish and Visitor's" Merrie Melodie's segment, "Chickenhawk" singing voice by Ben Falcone. He had a brief cameo at the end of the segment where it was shown that he sang the song the whole time. He later appeared in "Reunion's" Merrie Melodie's segment, "Cock of the Walk." In "Father Figures," Barnyard Dawg made a cameo as the umpire in the Father/Son Tennis Tournament final between Bugs and Walter Bunny against Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn.

Barnyard Dawg also appeared in Looney Tunes Cartoons in various Foghorn Leghorn segments. He also appears in the pre-school series Bugs Bunny Builders . In that show, his full name is officially mentioned: George P. Mandrake.

Cartoons

All cartoons directed by Robert McKimson unless noted. MM = Merrie Melodies, LT = Looney Tunes

Voice

Barnyard Dawg was originally voiced by Mel Blanc from the character's debut until the final cartoon Foghorn Leghorn starred into the Golden Age. After Blanc's death in 1989, the character has been voiced by 9 other actors: Noel Blanc, Bob Bergen, Greg Burson, Jeff Bergman, Billy West, Joe Alaskey, Ben Falcone, Eric Bauza and Andrew Morgado.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henery Hawk</span> Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon character

Henery Hawk is an American cartoon character who appears in twelve comedy film shorts produced in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. His first appearance is in the 1942 theatrical release The Squawkin' Hawk, which was directed by Chuck Jones and produced by Leon Schlesinger. Henery's second screen appearance, one directed by Robert McKimson, is in Walky Talky Hawky (1946), which also features the characters Foghorn Leghorn and Barnyard Dawg in their first cartoon roles. The last Warner Brothers theatrical short to showcase the little chickenhawk is the 1961 release Strangled Eggs in which he co-stars again with Foghorn Leghorn as well as with another popular character of that period, Miss Prissy. Following that production, Henery continued to be seen periodically in other animated presentations such as The Looney Tunes Show and Looney Tunes Cartoons.

Egghead Jr. is a character in the animated cartoon Looney Tunes, created by Robert McKimson in the 1950s. He debuted in 1954's Little Boy Boo, and made two subsequent Looney Tunes appearances in 1955's Feather Dusted and 1960s Crockett-Doodle-Doo.

<i>Walky Talky Hawky</i> 1946 film by Robert McKimson

Walky Talky Hawky is a 1946 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies theatrical short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on August 31, 1946, and features Henery Hawk and Foghorn Leghorn. This is the first appearance of both Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg.

<i>Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas</i> 2006 animated film

Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas is a 2006 animated direct-to-DVD Christmas comedy film starring the Looney Tunes characters, directed by Charles Visser, produced by Warner Bros. Animation and animated by Toon City Animation. The film is based on Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol (1843). The special was released on DVD on November 14, 2006, and was then broadcast on Cartoon Network in December 2006. The special was rereleased on DVD as part of the Looney Tunes Holiday Triple Feature on September 1, 2020.

<i>The Foghorn Leghorn</i> 1948 animated short film by Robert McKimson

The Foghorn Leghorn is a 1948 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on October 9, 1948, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and the Barnyard Dawg.

<i>Daffy Duck Hunt</i> 1949 film

Daffy Duck Hunt is a 1949 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on March 26, 1949, and stars Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Barnyard Dawg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foghorn Leghorn</span> Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon character

Foghorn Leghorn is an anthropomorphic rooster who appears in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons and films from Warner Bros. Animation. He was created by Robert McKimson, and starred in 29 cartoons from 1946 to 1964 in the golden age of American animation. All 29 of these cartoons were directed by McKimson.

<i>One Meat Brawl</i> 1947 American film

One Meat Brawl is a 1947 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The short stars Porky Pig and Barnyard Dawg, and was released on January 18, 1947. The title is a takeoff on the popular song "One Meat Ball".

<i>Crowing Pains</i> 1947 animated short film by Robert McKimson

Crowing Pains is a 1947 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on July 12, 1947, and stars Henery Hawk, Sylvester, Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg. This is McKimson's first short to feature Sylvester.

Mother Was a Rooster is a 1962 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on October 20, 1962, and features Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg. The voices are performed by Mel Blanc. It is the last-released cartoon scored by Milt Franklyn; Bill Lava would take over as composer for Looney Tunes cartoons starting with Good Noose until the cartoon department's closure in 1969.

Banty Raids is a 1963 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on June 29, 1963, and features Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc.

Strangled Eggs is a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on March 18, 1961, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and Miss Prissy. The voices are performed by Mel Blanc. This was the only cartoon to star both Miss Prissy and Henery Hawk.

Sock-A-Doodle-Do is a 1952 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on May 10, 1952, and features Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg. The voices are performed by Mel Blanc, though Banty was voiced by an uncredited Sheldon Leonard.

The High and the Flighty is a 1956 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson and written by Tedd Pierce. The short was released on February 18, 1956, and stars Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg.

Feather Bluster is a 1958 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on May 10, 1958, and features Foghorn Leghorn and the Barnyard Dawg.

Henhouse Henery is a 1949 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical short directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on July 2, 1949, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and the Barnyard Dawg.

Leghorn Swoggled is a 1951 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. It is story by Warren Foster. The cartoon was released on July 28, 1951, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and the Barnyard Dawg. The cartoon's plot is similar to Henhouse Henery (1949) and The Leghorn Blows at Midnight (1950).

The EGGcited Rooster is a 1952 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on October 4, 1952, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and the Barnyard Dawg.

All Fowled Up is a 1955 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated short film directed by Robert McKimson. The cartoon was released on February 19, 1955, and features Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk and the Barnyard Dawg.

References

  1. "Foghorn Leghorn in "Crowing Pains" (1947) |".
  2. "Bob Bergen on Twitter: "Never thought about it. Over the years I've voiced Porky, Tweety/Speedy/Marvin/Hubie/Bertie/Sylvester, Jr./Barnyard Dog/Henry Hawk. Don't think there's another on my bucket list. Plus the guys currently voicing the others are in damn good hands...uh, tonsils."". Twitter. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  3. "Barnyard Dawg". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  4. "Barnyard Dawg". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  5. "Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor (2008) Nintendo DS credits - MobyGames". MobyGames. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. "Mel Blanc Henery Hawk". YouTube.com via YouTube.
  7. "Barnyard Dawg – Classic Cartoons". Classictoons.com. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  8. Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 170. ISBN   0-8050-0894-2.
  9. Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 173. ISBN   0-8050-0894-2.
  10. Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 304. ISBN   0-8050-0894-2.