A Pest in the House

A Pest in the House
Directed by	Chuck Jones
Story by	Tedd Pierce Michael Maltese
Produced by	Edward Selzer
Starring	Mel Blanc Arthur Q. Bryan
Music by	Carl Stalling
Animation by	Ben Washam Ken Harris Basil Davidovich Lloyd Vaughan
Layouts by	Richard Morley
Backgrounds by	Richard Morley
Color process	Technicolor
Production company	Warner Bros.
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	August 2, 1947 (1947-08-02)
Running time	7:50
Language	English

A Pest in the House is a Merrie Melodies animated short film released on August 2, 1947. ^[1] It is directed by Chuck Jones and stars the characters of Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd. ^[2]

Plot

The narrative opens with a succinct exposition detailing a labor scarcity of such severity that establishments are compelled to engage any available candidates, regardless of their unconventional nature. Set within the confines of the "Gland" Hotel, Daffy assumes the role of a bellboy under the management of Elmer Fudd. Tasked with escorting a particularly irritable guest to room 666, Daffy seizes upon the opportunity to exploit the patron's proclivity for undisturbed repose to the detriment of his employer.

Daffy's Machiavellian machinations unfold in a series of comedic escapades aimed at thwarting the guest's tranquility, punctuated by Elmer's recurrent physical reprisals. Employing various tactics, including intrusive interruptions and failed attempts at storytelling, Daffy endeavors to maintain the guest's wakefulness, much to Elmer's chagrin. However, a pivotal shift occurs when Daffy attributes the guest's discomfort to a perceived deficiency in room temperature, prompting his intervention to rectify the situation.

In a frenzied attempt to mitigate the impending confrontation with the irate guest, Elmer reluctantly accedes to Daffy's scheme to manipulate the room's thermostat. Yet, their covert maneuver is swiftly thwarted by an unforeseen disturbance, culminating in a comically chaotic confrontation. In a last-ditch effort to salvage the situation, Elmer and Daffy exchange roles, with Elmer assuming the guise of the bellboy in a futile attempt to deceive the guest.

Ultimately, their subterfuge proves ineffectual as the exasperated guest delivers one final blow to Elmer, underscoring the futility of their endeavors. Daffy's parting observation is jocularly delivered in a wry and sardonic manner reminiscent of Jerry Colonna.

Cast

• Mel Blanc as Daffy Duck, Unseen Drunk and Narrator
• Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd and Hotel Guest (uncredited)

Production notes

• A Pest in the House offers a distinctive portrayal of Daffy Duck, diverging from earlier depictions by Tex Avery and Bob Clampett, as well as the later characterization popularized by Chuck Jones. In the DVD audio commentary, Paul Dini describes Daffy as akin to a sprite, portraying him as a mischievous yet harmless creature, devoid of malicious intent. ^[3]

• It is one of only three non-Bugs Bunny cartoons released in 1947 not to be reissued.

• A similar plot was used Daffy Duck Slept Here (1948), with Daffy once again disrupting the peace as a fellow guest in a hotel, this time causing unrest for Porky Pig.

Reception

Director David Bowers writes, "A Pest in the House is a great cartoon featuring a terrific performance from Daffy Duck. Although it's directed by Chuck Jones, he hadn't yet developed Daffy into the selfish, greedy, ill-tempered foil to Bugs Bunny that he would become. For me, the cartoon is the best of two worlds: the wonderful drawings, poses, and comic timing of Jones' direction coupled with the much funnier Daffy of directors Bob Clampett and Frank Tashlin. ... Daffy was rarely more obnoxious—or funnier." ^[4]

See also

• Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies filmography (1940–1949)

References

1. Maltin, Leonard (1987). Of Mice And Magic: A History Of American Animated Cartoons (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Plume. p. 429. ISBN   0-452-25993-2.
2. Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 178. ISBN   0-8050-0894-2.
3. Paul Dini. A Pest in the House - DVD audio commentary - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 5 .
4. Beck, Jerry, ed. (2020). The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons. Insight Editions. p. 135. ISBN   978-1-64722-137-9.

External links

• A Pest in the House at IMDb