TheLittleSongbird Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.Chuck Jones is one of the greatest geniuses in animation history, or at least to me and many others. 'Old Glory' is a different effort for him, being focused more on history and education rather than wit and humour (fans of the Jones and Looney Tunes that they're familiar with will be disappointed). It's a pretty decent one too and an interesting look at what he was capable of in his early days before he found his style. It is fair to say though that Jones did go on much better things when his cartoons became much funnier, wittier, more inventively animated and iconic characters introduced and made household names.'Old Glory' does have segments that are agreed on the brief side and end rather abruptly.Porky is likable enough but a bit bland (with all of the featured supporting historical characters and Uncle Sam making more of an impression), while the story tends to be episodic.However, the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant, complete with some great expressions for particularly the rabbit.Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.Despite it lacking Jones' usual wit and humour, 'Old Glory' offers a very interesting glimpse at American history, doing it in a way that's educational and makes some good points without laying it on too thick. Any patriotism feels neither too preachy or tacky. The supporting characters are fun to spot and the voice acting is good.Overall, not one to be seen for humour's sake but well-made and interesting. 7/10 Bethany Cox

tavm I first saw this Porky Pig educational cartoon short on Buskin Bill's Storyland in the Bicentenial year of 1976. I later saw it after James Cagney's Yankee Doodle Dandy on a Saturday night on that same channel of WAFB-9, Baton Rouge, La. (possibly on the 4th of July). Having recently seen it on YouTube, I must marvel at how bright the colors are compared to the washed-out tones I remember from way back when. Great use of having Uncle Sam telling our stuttering hero about the American Revolution and subsequent events with wonderful realistic animation throughout to make their point. Highly recommended to any child who wonders why history is so important to learn.

slymusic Directed by Chuck Jones, "Old Glory" is a wonderful Warner Bros. cartoon starring our favorite pig Porky. This cartoon is quite unique for one very simple reason: there is absolutely no humor! Porky is a schoolboy who struggles to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and eventually gives up when his speech impairment gets the best of him. But just then, Uncle Sam appears and, through a series of flashbacks, calmly and gently instructs Porky about a little American history so that he may understand why it is important to learn the Pledge of Allegiance. Porky learns a fair amount concerning the Revolutionary War days, and with a fantastic music score by Carl Stalling, the most memorable and exciting flashback sequence is that of Paul Revere warning his fellow colonists of the British army's approach. By the end of this short, Porky wises up and, with a little stuttering, successfully recites the Pledge of Allegiance.If I only had one concern about "Old Glory," it's the fact that this cartoon attempts to capsulate the history of the United States of America within a brief nine minutes; Uncle Sam's talk about the Americans' migration to the West is especially brief and ends quite abruptly. Nevertheless, "Old Glory" is undoubtedly a memorable film that really touches Porky's heart as he learns about American history. Part of the charm and brilliance of this cartoon is the presence of such important Americans as Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, George Washington, and a statue of Abraham Lincoln. Equally astonishing are the authentically reproduced signatures of John Hancock (for the Declaration of American Independence) and George Washington (for the Constitution of the United States).

movieman_kev Porky Pig learns why the Pledge of Alligence is important when he has a dream of Uncle Sam who tells him about the founding fathers in this educational short. You can practically hear the liberals of today groaning and bitching at the mere prospect of even thinking about watching this short, but it is very well put together and makes one proud to be an American so it accomplishes what it's intended porpoise was. Hell, I still think this short should be shown in classrooms, but that will in all likelihood never happen due to the loony Left 9th Circuit of Appeals in California, although Michael A. Newdow might be happy to get the pre-1954 version of the Pledge back (I strongly doubt that he'd stop at that though). This animated short can be seen on Disc 3 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2 and also features an optional commentary by Jerry Bech & Inker and Painter Martha Sigall My Grade: A