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Looney Tunes, The Ducktators 1942. Greetings to all. Subscribe, like and click the notification bell for the best of classic comedy and cartoons. Support Our Work @ Storyline The cartoon takes place on a farm, beginning with a few ducks, geese and chickens being shown. After a brief few moments, two ducks (who are expecting a duckling) go over to their unusually black-colored egg as it starts to hatch. Once the egg has hatched, a duckling with an Adolf Hitler appearance emerges and yells “Sieg Heil!“ while giving the Nazi salute. After time passes, the Hitler duck grows into adulthood, holding aggressive speeches toward other ducks and geese. One goose, representing Benito Mussolini, agrees with him and gives the Nazi salute. Afterward, a postcard from The Management of the Theatre that says “We wish to apologize to the NICE DUCKS and GEESE who may be in the audience“ is shown. The Hitler duck then gathers up a group of soldiers to join him in his own Axis Powers Army, including a Daffy Duck-like character, who claims to be from South Germany. The Mussolini goose then delivers a speech to the only listener: a little chick who had been forced to stay and applaud. After these happenings, storm troopers are sent marching across the area, while the Dove of Peace (possibly representing Franklin Roosevelt), grieves at what is happening (“Have they forgot? 'Tis love that's right, and naught is gained by show of might.“). A group of chickens and the Mussolini goose are then seen at what appears to be a Peace Conference, in which the Hitler duck slaps the Mussolini goose for dim-wittedly taking part in it and puts the newly signed peace treaty through a shredder, whereupon everyone in the Peace Conference area brawl against each other. Another duck with large teeth and round glasses holding the flag of the Empire of Japan, representing Hideki Tojo, is seen swimming across the water and placing the flag (with the words “Japanese Mandate Island“ written on the back of the flag) on a tiny island that turns out to be a turtle, who emerges from the water and chases the duck, beating him with the “Japanese Mandate Island“ sign as he is now on the warpath against Tojo. The Japanese duck tries to get out of being beaten by flashing a badge that reads, “I Am Chinese,“ but to no avail. “And I'm mock turtle soup!“ shouts the infuriated turtle sarcastically. A subtitle below the badge states that it was made in Japan, which may explain why the turtle did not buy the ruse. The three (Hitler Duck, Mussolini Goose and Tojo Duck) are then seen marching across a field while singing a parody of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe“ (“One two, buckle my shoe. Three four, shut honorable door“), they're joined by a newly born chicken straight from an egg, who has a soft Spanish accent, alluding to the supposed fourth wheel of the Nazi empire: Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. The Dove then tries to reason with the Axis Powers. However, they ignore him and trample him. His temper reaching breaking point, the Dove yells at the Axis Powers to “STOP!!“. The Dove proceeds to combat against the Tojo duck who is rubbing his hands in a sinister way, the Hitler duck and the Mussolini goose, as well as their storm troopers. With the help of a group of chickens, the baby chick who had been forced to cheer for the Mussolini goose earlier after being captured (how he was rescued is not explained), a crazy rabbit with a mustache (impersonating Jerry Colonna and possibly representing Joseph Stalin) wielding a large wooden hammer for a weapon and hiding in a barrel which he also uses for transportation and a human man carrying a sniper rifle that emerges from a poster that says “For Victory, Buy United States Victory Bonds“ and fires at the fleeing axis powers, the Dove overthrows the Axis Powers and saves the day. Years later, the Dove, now a brave war hero, has two children (one named “Peace“, the other named “Quiet“). The Dove explains to his children that even though he hates war, he chose to be brave and stand up against the Axis Powers. The Dove then points out to his children that his enemies (the Hitler and Tojo ducks and the Mussolini goose) are now moose-head trophies above his fireplace in beaten up appearances. The final message of the cartoon states to the U.S. audience that if they wish to defeat the Axis Powers and bring peace to the world once again, all they have to do to ensure the country's victory is to buy United States Savings Bonds and Stamps. Directed by Norman McCabe Produced by Leon Schlesinger Story by Melvin Millar Voices by Mel Blanc (uncredited) Michael Maltese (uncredited) John McLeish (uncredited) Music by Carl Stalling Animation by John Carey Cal Dalton (uncredited) Arthur Davis (uncredited) Izzy Ellis (uncredited) Layouts by David Hilberman (uncredited) Studio Leon Schlesinger Productions Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Release date(s) August 1, 1942
