Red Riding Hoodwinked
Encyclopedia
Red Riding Hoodwinked is a "Looney Tunes
" cartoon animated short starring Tweety and Sylvester
. Released October 29, 1955, the cartoon is directed by Friz Freleng
. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc
and June Foray
.
The cartoon was Warner Bros.' latest adaptation of the "Little Red Riding Hood
" children's story, with the Big Bad Wolf and Granny
playing their respective roles, with Tweety and Sylvester taking appropriate sides.
Unlike her previous appearances, the usually cheerful Granny here is a female caricature of Ralph Kramden (of television's The Honeymooners
), complete with ill-temperedness and use of the catchphrase, "One of these days ... pow! Right in the kisser." As such, "Red Riding Hoodwinked" marked one of the earliest parodies of The Honeymooners. In addition, this cartoon marks the first time Foray voiced the character of Granny, replacing Bea Benaderet
in the role. Also, Granny's appearance is updated: Although she appears as a sourpuss here, her physical attributes (such as a less-pronounced chin) would be used in future appearances. Also, Granny's old-fashioned ways would be de-emphasized.
The wolf character would re-appear in "Hare-Less Wolf
".
In the woods, the Big Bad Wolf — rougher looking in appearance than in later shorts — waits for Red to come by, signs announcing who he is, much to Big Bad's disgust. Sylvester overhears the requisite exchange of Big Bad asking Red where she is headed and soon joins Big Bad in trying to reach Granny's house first.
Big Bad ousts Granny from the house, to which she immediately swears revenge (mimicking Ralph Kramden's signature lines). Big Bad and Sylvester hurridely dress in Granny's clothing in anticipating Red's arrival. Big Bad takes his place in the bed, while Sylvester is shooed underneath. Once Red arrives and presents "Grandma" with Tweety, she sets it down as asked; Sylvester immediately approaches the cage, prompting Tweety to ask, "Hewwo, Wittle Wed Widing Hood's Gwandma! Whatcha doin' under da' bed?" After the signature exchange ending with "The better to see, smell, and eat you with," and each character's realitization of their sworn enemy (Red: "Eek! The Big Bad Wolf!" Tweety: "Eek! The Big Bad Puddy Tat!"), the chase begins.
After several back-and-forth chases, with Big Bad and Sylvester getting the worst end of things, Red and Tweety flee Grandmother's home and head for the nearest bus stop. Their pursuers chase after the bus and immediately board at the next stop ... only for them to be forcibly ejected by none other than Granny! "I told them, one of these days ..." Red and Tweety supply the rest of the line: "Pow! Right/wight in the kisser!"
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
" cartoon animated short starring Tweety and Sylvester
Sylvester (Looney Tunes)
Sylvester J. Pussycat, Sr., Sylvester the Cat or simply Sylvester, is a fictional character, a three-time Academy Award-winning anthropomorphic Tuxedo cat in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies repertory, often chasing Tweety Bird, Speedy Gonzales, or Hippety Hopper...
. Released October 29, 1955, the cartoon is directed by Friz Freleng
Friz Freleng
Isadore "Friz" Freleng was an animator, cartoonist, director, and producer best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros....
. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc
Mel Blanc
Melvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
and June Foray
June Foray
June Foray is an American voice actress, best known as the voice of many animated characters...
.
The cartoon was Warner Bros.' latest adaptation of the "Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
" children's story, with the Big Bad Wolf and Granny
Granny (Looney Tunes)
Granny is a co-star of many Sylvester the Cat and Tweety Bird animated shorts throughout the 1950s and 1960s, is a Looney Tunes character that was created by Tex Avery. She is the owner of Tweety . Granny's voice was first provided by Bea Benaderet from 1937 through 1953...
playing their respective roles, with Tweety and Sylvester taking appropriate sides.
Unlike her previous appearances, the usually cheerful Granny here is a female caricature of Ralph Kramden (of television's The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners
The Honeymooners is an American situation comedy television show, based on a recurring 1951–'55 sketch of the same name. It originally aired on the DuMont network's Cavalcade of Stars and subsequently on the CBS network's The Jackie Gleason Show hosted by Jackie Gleason, and filmed before a live...
), complete with ill-temperedness and use of the catchphrase, "One of these days ... pow! Right in the kisser." As such, "Red Riding Hoodwinked" marked one of the earliest parodies of The Honeymooners. In addition, this cartoon marks the first time Foray voiced the character of Granny, replacing Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet was an American actress born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California. She is best remembered for her wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series Petticoat Junction and Green Acres as Shady Rest Hotel owner Kate...
in the role. Also, Granny's appearance is updated: Although she appears as a sourpuss here, her physical attributes (such as a less-pronounced chin) would be used in future appearances. Also, Granny's old-fashioned ways would be de-emphasized.
The wolf character would re-appear in "Hare-Less Wolf
Hare-Less Wolf
Hare-Less Wolf is a 1958 Merrie Melodies cartoon starring Bugs Bunny and a wolf character, Charles M. Wolf . An uncredited voice goes to June Foray as the wolf's wife, who appears in a brief scene at the beginning of the cartoon....
".
Plot
The story begins much like the classic fairy tale, with Red Riding Hood off to see her grandmother, who lives in the woods. The present she plans to bring her grandmother is Tweety (in his cage). Sylvester sees Red's cargo and immediately begins going after her, his primary interest being Tweety. Red boards the bus, but Sylvester continues after her as it drives into the woods, the inattentive puddy striking a road sign along the way.In the woods, the Big Bad Wolf — rougher looking in appearance than in later shorts — waits for Red to come by, signs announcing who he is, much to Big Bad's disgust. Sylvester overhears the requisite exchange of Big Bad asking Red where she is headed and soon joins Big Bad in trying to reach Granny's house first.
Big Bad ousts Granny from the house, to which she immediately swears revenge (mimicking Ralph Kramden's signature lines). Big Bad and Sylvester hurridely dress in Granny's clothing in anticipating Red's arrival. Big Bad takes his place in the bed, while Sylvester is shooed underneath. Once Red arrives and presents "Grandma" with Tweety, she sets it down as asked; Sylvester immediately approaches the cage, prompting Tweety to ask, "Hewwo, Wittle Wed Widing Hood's Gwandma! Whatcha doin' under da' bed?" After the signature exchange ending with "The better to see, smell, and eat you with," and each character's realitization of their sworn enemy (Red: "Eek! The Big Bad Wolf!" Tweety: "Eek! The Big Bad Puddy Tat!"), the chase begins.
After several back-and-forth chases, with Big Bad and Sylvester getting the worst end of things, Red and Tweety flee Grandmother's home and head for the nearest bus stop. Their pursuers chase after the bus and immediately board at the next stop ... only for them to be forcibly ejected by none other than Granny! "I told them, one of these days ..." Red and Tweety supply the rest of the line: "Pow! Right/wight in the kisser!"
Censorship
- On the ABC version of this cartoon, the part where the wolf beats Sylvester with a bucket after Sylvester splashes water on him had the beatings cut from six times to one and a half.
External links
- Nuance and Suggestion in the Tweety and Sylvester Series - Written by Kevin McCorry