Tonight's Movies: Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 2 - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 2 collection was recently released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive.

The set, containing 25 cartoons on a single Blu-ray disc, is a sequel to the 20-cartoon Vol. 1 collection which was released earlier this year.

All of the cartoons in the set are "restored, remastered, and uncut." The release years span 1937 through 1963. With the exception of DAFFY'S SOUTHERN EXPOSURE (1942), all of the cartoons are in color.

Along with original characters and stories, viewers will find cartoons in this set starring familiar characters including Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny, the Road Runner, Sylvester, Tweety Bird, and Daffy Duck.

I've been watching these cartoons gradually since the set arrived and really enjoying them. I've seen some of them previously, whether as a child, as DVD extras, or as part of theatrical screenings, but it's been quite a long time in most cases.

Watching them in a short time frame, I'm struck not only by the standard cliche of how violent the humor tends to be (which doesn't bother me in the least), but by how adult some of the visual and other jokes are.

CROSS COUNTRY DETOURS, a spoof look at the "wonders" of Yosemite and Bryce Canyon, is one such example. I'm sure any of the more "adult" gags sailed right over my head as a child, but they work to keep the cartoons interesting revisited as an adult. (And I particularly loved a bit where the screen was divided in half, with pictures for children and adults.)

The cartoons are shown alphabetically if the viewer hits "Play All," and I've found that a fun way to dart back and forth among years and characters. They can also be chosen by scrolling through a menu of the titles. I wish the print on the title selection menu was slightly larger, but that's my only issue with this set.

The prints are beautiful. In one of my favorite cartoons, the cute GHOST WANTED, there are some really lovely color sparkles near the end when some dynamite goes off.

If I hadn't already purchased Vol. I previous to reviewing this Vol. 2 screener, I would buy Vol. 1 on the strength of this set alone. Animation enthusiasts will want to obtain both volumes. I'm glad to have these on my shelf next to the Warner Archive's Tex Avery collections.

The complete list of the 25 cartoons included in this Vol. 2 set: BEHIND THE MEAT-BALL (1945), BROTHER BRAT (1944), CATTY CORNERED (1953), CROSS COUNTRY DETOURS (1940), DAFFY'S SOUTHERN EXPOSURE (1942), DING DOG DADDY (1942), THE EAGER BEAVER (1946), FAIR AND WORM-ER (1946), FIN 'N CATTY (1943), FROM HAND TO MOUSE (1944), GHOST WANTED (1940), GREETINGS BAIT (1943), HAMATEUR NIGHT (1939), HARE-BREADTH HURRY (1963), A HICK A SLICK AND A CHICK (1948), HISS AND MAKE UP (1948), A HOUND FOR TROUBLE (1951), I WANNA BE A SAILOR (1937), THE LEGHORN BLOWS AT MIDNIGHT (1950), LICKETY-SPLAT (1961), ONE MEAT BRAWL (1946), THE PENGUIN PARADE (1938), RABBIT RAMPAGE (1955), THE REBEL WITHOUT CLAWS (1961), THE WACKY WORM (1941).

Additional good news: Volume 3 is said to be in the works!

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, the Amazon Warner Archive Collection Store, or from any online retailers were Blu-rays are sold.

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