"Pigs in a Polka" is a very good Warner Bros. cartoon, and it comes to no surprise that Friz Freleng directed it. Set to the various Hungarian dances of the great composer Johannes Brahms, this cartoon is essentially a humorous ballet of the Three Little Pigs story. As an avid music lover, Friz Freleng was aware that he needed to KNOW the music of Brahms in order for this cartoon to be effective, and he definitely succeeded. All of the action & dancing are perfectly in sync with the music, thus providing a nice variation to the usual Three Little Pigs story.
My favorite highlights from "Pigs in a Polka" include the following (but watch the cartoon first before you read any further). With a New York accent, the Big Bad Wolf reads his Fantasiaesque introduction with elegant musical accompaniment. While Pig #3 is working hard at building his house, Pig #1 and Pig #2 frolic together and play their instruments, with Pig #2 having a dopey smile on his face as Pig #1 spins him around. The Wolf is quite funny during his opening Russian kick-dance down the road (with his outstretched arm signalling a turn). After the Wolf's gypsy dance, Pig #1 and Pig #2 hilariously dress up in similar getups with mischievous smiles on their faces! And later on, the Wolf pretends to be a poor old gypsy woman, but Pig #3 sees through his facade and, literally, changes his tune!
In closing, let me just state two oddities about "Pigs in a Polka." First, the ending of this cartoon is quite abrupt, leaving the audience hanging. And second, the Three Little Pigs all look like Porky, but they aren't!
My favorite highlights from "Pigs in a Polka" include the following (but watch the cartoon first before you read any further). With a New York accent, the Big Bad Wolf reads his Fantasiaesque introduction with elegant musical accompaniment. While Pig #3 is working hard at building his house, Pig #1 and Pig #2 frolic together and play their instruments, with Pig #2 having a dopey smile on his face as Pig #1 spins him around. The Wolf is quite funny during his opening Russian kick-dance down the road (with his outstretched arm signalling a turn). After the Wolf's gypsy dance, Pig #1 and Pig #2 hilariously dress up in similar getups with mischievous smiles on their faces! And later on, the Wolf pretends to be a poor old gypsy woman, but Pig #3 sees through his facade and, literally, changes his tune!
In closing, let me just state two oddities about "Pigs in a Polka." First, the ending of this cartoon is quite abrupt, leaving the audience hanging. And second, the Three Little Pigs all look like Porky, but they aren't!