Red Riding Hoodwinked

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 are 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".

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.

Succession

References

• Friedwald, Will and Jerry Beck. "The Warner Brothers Cartoons." Scarecrow Press Inc., Metuchen, N.J., 1981. ISBN 0-8108-1396-3.

External links

• Red Riding Hoodwinked at the Internet Movie Database
• Nuance and Suggestion in the Tweety and Sylvester Series - Written by Kevin McCorry