Duck Dodgers in the 24th Century is a 1953 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. The cartoon was released on July 25, 1953, and stars Daffy Duck as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant, and Marvin the Martian as his opponent. This cartoon marked the first of many appearances of the Duck Dodgers character. Marvin the Martian had been introduced as an unnamed villain in Warner's cartoon Haredevil Hare, playing opposite Bugs Bunny. He was later given the title 'Commander, Flying Saucer X-2' in 1951's The Hasty Hare. The Duck Dodgers cartoon is an extended parody of the pulp magazine, newspaper comic strip, and comic book character Buck Rogers, and his longtime run of space adventures, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. In 1994, Duck Dodgers was voted #4 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field. Because he was such a fan of the short in particular, Star Wars creator George Lucas requested that the short be shown before the original Star Wars film during its initial run in theaters. In 2004 at the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention, it was retrospectively nominated for a Retro Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation—Short Form.
Plot
The story begins with Duck Dodgers being tasked with locating the uncharted "Planet X", the only known remaining source for the rare element Eludium Phosdex, "the shaving cream atom". After a few small mishaps, Dodgers and his assistant, the "Eager Young Space Cadet" set off by rocket. Once in flight, Dodgers plots an enormously complicated and inefficient course to Planet X, whereas the Cadet suggests a much simpler route, following a path of nearby planets bearing the letters of the alphabet. After scoffing at the idea, Dodgers suddenly comes up with the same idea and takes credit for it. The ship then flies past various lettered planets and eventually arrives on Planet X. Dodgers immediately claims the planet in the name of the Earth, but is quickly greeted by Marvin the Martian, who claims it in the name of Mars. The two engage in a battle of wits, with Dodgers getting shot multiple times in the face and disintegrated once. This battle continues through most of the film, until finally Dodgers deploys his "secret weapon" - a set of explosives that surround Marvin's ship. Marvin deploys the same type of weapon against Dodgers's ship. When the two simultaneously detonate their weapons, the planet is completely destroyed, save for one small chunk. Dodgers pushes Marvin off this chunk and once again claims it in his own name. Seen hanging from a root below him are the Cadet and Marvin. The film closes with the Cadet saying "Big deal."
The cartoon was directed by Chuck Jones, with the story by Michael Maltese, voices by Mel Blanc, and original music by Carl Stalling. The animation was credited to Lloyd Vaughan, Ken Harris and Ben Washam, with Harry Love receiving a credit for effects animation. The distinctive layouts were designed by Maurice Noble and the backgrounds produced by Phil DeGuard. Uncredited are Stalling's quotations of "Powerhouse" and "Egyptian Barn Dance", by Raymond Scott.
This cartoon is available on Disc 2 of Volume 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection and on Disc 2 of the Blu-raybox set, with the cartoon restored in high definition, as well as Disc 1 of The Essential Daffy Duck.
In the Season One episode of the 1990s hit science fiction TV seriesBabylon 5 entitled Midnight on the Firing Line, the head of security Michael Garibaldi invites the Minbari ambassador Delenn to his quarters with him, where they share popcorn and a night of watching Duck Dodgers, although the comedy is lost on her. Daffy Duck is Michael Garibaldi's favorite cartoon character.
