. . . Animated Shorts Seers division (aka, The Looney Tuners) is when "Charlie Dog" stomps the Grapes of Wrath in front of the "San Carlo, Italy" spaghetti customer. It's obvious from the Broken English spoken by everyone involved here that this story is set in our USA Homeland, NOT a Roman-infested failed nation-state still smoldering from Gen. George S. Patton's infamous "March to the Sea" seven years earlier. Furthermore, a number of anachronistic elements--such as Charlie Dog's use of a 21st Century wine bottle sampling device--make it clear that A HOUND FOR TROUBLE is yet another in Warner Bros.' long series of warnings to We True Blue Loyal Patriotic Normal Average 99 Per Center Silent Majority Progressive Union Label Americans of (The Then) Far Future concerning our upcoming Calamities, Catastrophes, Cataclysms, and Apocalypti. The bodega patron is meant to represent us, and the unsanitary vandal Charlie Dog is standing in for none other than Red Commie KGB Chief Vlad "The Mad Russian" Putin's White House Sock-Puppet-in-Chief, Don Juan Rump. The scorned grapes symbolize that Racist out-dated moldy parchment from the 1700s, the current Deplorable U.S. Constitution (which states that Blacks are "three-fifths" of a person, and sets up an "Electoral College" allowing Putin's Pedophiliac Machine-gunning Racist Repug Party--aka, the GOOPERS--to rig and steal the U.S. Presidential Election from the candidate voted in by We the People every 16 years or so!). Warner Bros. uses A HOUND FOR TROUBLE to inform We of the Future that it is not only perfectly legal and proper, but urgently necessary to REPEAL AND REPLACE Putin's Suicide Pact U.S. Constitution from the 1700s with a simple, Common Sense Document written from scratch at a Constitutional Convention AFTER each and every one of Putin's Red Commie Fellow Traveling Quisling traitors with ANY connection to his Repug (GOOPER) Party is stripped of their U.S. Citizenship for High Treason, has all of their wealth, assets, corporations, bank accounts, gold, property, and weapons seized under U.S. Civil Forfeiture Laws to pay off the national debt that they've run up, and then are deported ASAP to that ice shelf which is drifting along the coast of Antarctica. IF they are so wedded to their Ancient, Racist, Moldy Constitution from the 1700s (so easily manipulated by Russian Hackers), then they are more than welcome to take it with them to that Antarctic Ice Shelf!
8 Reviews
The key scene in this warning to America from Warner Bros.' always prophetic . . .
oscaralbert22 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A Hound for Trouble is a funny cartoon starring Charlie Dog
tavm18 February 2021
While I've seen this cartoon before, it was a treat to watch this again on the On Moonlight Bay DVD just now. Charlie Dog lands in Italy to once again try to get a master. He eventually winds up at a restaurant. If you're familiar with this dog's personality, then you'll probably guess what happens here. Anyway, this was quite funny from beginning to end so that's a recommendation for A Hound for Trouble.
What This Place Needs Is A Floor Show!
trishjayp30 August 2006
Yes, this is definitely the best of the Charlie Dog cartoons.
First off, by today's standards, this cartoon is very politically incorrect. But, who cares? It's funny! There are always little throwaway touches that make Warner Bros. cartoons worth watching over and over - the sign in the restaurant window says "Televish inside", the scene with the fishermen is actually a copy of a Van Gogh painting (!), etc.
Of course, the pizzeria owner speaks in "Italian" that is really just the names of different foods, and then there is Charlie's song: as I said, quite politically incorrect, but just look at the expressions on his face. Chuck Jones was a Master.
Strangely enough, for years the local TV station in NYC that showed this cartoon would remove the entire scene with Charlie Dog and the customer. Thankfully, I was able to finally get an uncut copy.
And yes, the ending is a classic. This one is a definite must-see.
First off, by today's standards, this cartoon is very politically incorrect. But, who cares? It's funny! There are always little throwaway touches that make Warner Bros. cartoons worth watching over and over - the sign in the restaurant window says "Televish inside", the scene with the fishermen is actually a copy of a Van Gogh painting (!), etc.
Of course, the pizzeria owner speaks in "Italian" that is really just the names of different foods, and then there is Charlie's song: as I said, quite politically incorrect, but just look at the expressions on his face. Chuck Jones was a Master.
Strangely enough, for years the local TV station in NYC that showed this cartoon would remove the entire scene with Charlie Dog and the customer. Thankfully, I was able to finally get an uncut copy.
And yes, the ending is a classic. This one is a definite must-see.
Charlie Dog's Last And Best Cartoon
MartyD82-127 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
After stowing away on a ship, Charlie Dog winds up in Venice to (once again) look for a master. Unfortunately for him, this means not only dealing with people who don't want a dog, but people who can't even understand his English (ironically, they themselves are just speaking English with an Italian accent). He spots a restaurant and decides that would be the most logical place to find a master. Unfortunately, the restaurant owner appears to think otherwise.
It's quite a shame Chuck Jones canned Charlie after this cartoon (excluding his brief cameo in 1958's Dog Tales) because this was probably his best cartoon yet. The set up is a nice break from Charlie's usual "waiting desperately in the city for a master" routine. And the way he interacts with the restaurant owner is great. Especially funny is the way Charlie just "Settles in" before the owner even realizes he's there, as well as his failed attempt at sucking up to the owner by taking over the restaurant while he's at lunch. Brilliant punchline at the end, too (and Charlie's response to the owner finally giving in definitely tells us something about his character).
Overall, this cartoon is a fine farewell to what is arguably one of the more underrated characters in the Termite Terrace. Definitely worth seeking out!
It's quite a shame Chuck Jones canned Charlie after this cartoon (excluding his brief cameo in 1958's Dog Tales) because this was probably his best cartoon yet. The set up is a nice break from Charlie's usual "waiting desperately in the city for a master" routine. And the way he interacts with the restaurant owner is great. Especially funny is the way Charlie just "Settles in" before the owner even realizes he's there, as well as his failed attempt at sucking up to the owner by taking over the restaurant while he's at lunch. Brilliant punchline at the end, too (and Charlie's response to the owner finally giving in definitely tells us something about his character).
Overall, this cartoon is a fine farewell to what is arguably one of the more underrated characters in the Termite Terrace. Definitely worth seeking out!
This features a minor character in the last and best of the handful of shorts starring him
llltdesq13 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is a short featuring Charlie the dog produced by Warner Brothers. There will be spoilers ahead:
Charlie the dog was featured in four or five shorts, with him being the star of this one. This was the last short of the handful made with him and it's probably the best of them. Charlie wants, above all else, a home and master. Charlie's attempts to ingratiate himself to prospective masters are the principal reason he can't find one. He's crude, obnoxious and annoying-and this are his good points.
The short opens with the unloading of a cargo ship. Charlie is first seen in a deck chair after a crate is moved. The captain, clearly familiar with Charlie (and not pleasantly so) once again kicks Charlie off his ship and Charlie sets about to find a master. Charlie runs into trouble immediately, as he is in Italy and no one seems to speak English. He goes up to one man finally and asks him if he can "capiche" English, only to have the man rage at him in heavily accented English, calling him a "green-ahorn" as he stomps away.
Charlie spots a restaurant (the signs here are hilarious) and decides having a restaurant owner for a master would be great. The owner has other feelings on the matter and Charlie winds up out again. The man leaves his place briefly and Charlie seizes the opportunity to "endear" himself by waiting on a customer in his absence, an experience the poor customer will never forget, even after a decade and more of therapy.
The owner comes back and screams at Charlie for chasing away his customer and is "treated" to Charlie's idea of a floor show. The owner surrenders and says he'll be Charlie's master, promising to take him home. The ending is great, so I won't spoil it here.
This short is available as an extra on the On Moonlight Bay DVD and is well worth watching. Most recommended.
Charlie the dog was featured in four or five shorts, with him being the star of this one. This was the last short of the handful made with him and it's probably the best of them. Charlie wants, above all else, a home and master. Charlie's attempts to ingratiate himself to prospective masters are the principal reason he can't find one. He's crude, obnoxious and annoying-and this are his good points.
The short opens with the unloading of a cargo ship. Charlie is first seen in a deck chair after a crate is moved. The captain, clearly familiar with Charlie (and not pleasantly so) once again kicks Charlie off his ship and Charlie sets about to find a master. Charlie runs into trouble immediately, as he is in Italy and no one seems to speak English. He goes up to one man finally and asks him if he can "capiche" English, only to have the man rage at him in heavily accented English, calling him a "green-ahorn" as he stomps away.
Charlie spots a restaurant (the signs here are hilarious) and decides having a restaurant owner for a master would be great. The owner has other feelings on the matter and Charlie winds up out again. The man leaves his place briefly and Charlie seizes the opportunity to "endear" himself by waiting on a customer in his absence, an experience the poor customer will never forget, even after a decade and more of therapy.
The owner comes back and screams at Charlie for chasing away his customer and is "treated" to Charlie's idea of a floor show. The owner surrenders and says he'll be Charlie's master, promising to take him home. The ending is great, so I won't spoil it here.
This short is available as an extra on the On Moonlight Bay DVD and is well worth watching. Most recommended.
Always disturbed by this short
jwin19676 July 2012
Never thought this cartoon was funny! Since the first time I ever saw this one as a kid, I thought it was out and out mean! I don't remember the character from other cartoons, so I'm not too familiar with him. I don't see anything funny about cruelty. Don't get me wrong; I love comedy, but I fail to see this one as funny. I just don't see how the ending makes for humor. I never have. I've always loved Looney Tunes, but this one I have always hated. The rest of this one isn't so bad, but the ending ruined it for me. I don't want to seem stuffy, but a cartoon that is meant to be funny, should not end on such a cruel note. It serves to give the impression that it is fine to treat others badly, and even laugh at it.
Awaiting More Charlie Dog on Volume 5
andrewkolody4 March 2007
This was very funny. I love him holding the attention of those on the sidewalk in his cartoons and later holding up the leaning tower of Piza in this short. I hope WB includes more of these cartoons from the late 40's through the 50's which are among their funniest thanks in a huge part to Michaels Maltese's stories, Chuck's timing and Mel's characterizations. Maybe I am biased as I grew up on Maltese-cartoons being 43 years old, but I find that his sense of humour far surpasses the novelty and slapstick style of early cartoons. I hope that volume 5 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection will contain some more of obscure characters. This is not to say that Bugs and Daffy should take a back seat to them, I just think the tunes from the early days have been well represented in the first 4 volumes and it is time to lets enjoy the wit, timing and voice of three legends from the 40's and 50's.
Charlie Dog in Italy
TheLittleSongbird27 May 2018
Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna and Barbera and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Actually appreciate it even more now through young adult eyes, thanks to broader knowledge and more interest in animation styles and various studios and directors.
Chuck Jones deserved, and still does deserve, his status as one of animation's most legendary, greatest and most important directors/animators. He may have lacked the outrageousness and wild wackiness of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, but the visual imagination, wit and what he did with some of the best-known and most iconic characters ever were just as special. All of his Charlie Dog cartoons are well worth watching and more. 'Dog Gone South' and especially 'A Hound for Trouble' are especially wonderful.
'A Hound for Trouble' is once again a perfect demonstration of Charlie being a charismatic and funny character (who in his outings with Porky always stole the show from under him) and begs the question of why his stint as a character was so short-lived.
He is brilliantly supported by the supporting characters. Mel Blanc as always does a fantastic job with the voice work, showing an unparalleled ability to bring individuality to multiple characters.
The animation is as always bright and colourful, with lots of smooth movement, imaginative detail in the gags and rich and meticulous detail in the backgrounds. Carl Stalling's music score is as ever high in energy, liveliness, character, lushness and whimsy, and not only is dynamic and fits effortlessly with the action but enhances everything.
What's more, 'A Hound for Trouble' is enormously entertaining, with the typical wild looniness, razor-sharp wit and sardonic bite constantly shining in the dialogue. Plus there are some beautifully timed and animated and imaginative sight gags, that contain enough surprises and a non-stop lively pace. The highlight is the hilarious ending.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Chuck Jones deserved, and still does deserve, his status as one of animation's most legendary, greatest and most important directors/animators. He may have lacked the outrageousness and wild wackiness of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, but the visual imagination, wit and what he did with some of the best-known and most iconic characters ever were just as special. All of his Charlie Dog cartoons are well worth watching and more. 'Dog Gone South' and especially 'A Hound for Trouble' are especially wonderful.
'A Hound for Trouble' is once again a perfect demonstration of Charlie being a charismatic and funny character (who in his outings with Porky always stole the show from under him) and begs the question of why his stint as a character was so short-lived.
He is brilliantly supported by the supporting characters. Mel Blanc as always does a fantastic job with the voice work, showing an unparalleled ability to bring individuality to multiple characters.
The animation is as always bright and colourful, with lots of smooth movement, imaginative detail in the gags and rich and meticulous detail in the backgrounds. Carl Stalling's music score is as ever high in energy, liveliness, character, lushness and whimsy, and not only is dynamic and fits effortlessly with the action but enhances everything.
What's more, 'A Hound for Trouble' is enormously entertaining, with the typical wild looniness, razor-sharp wit and sardonic bite constantly shining in the dialogue. Plus there are some beautifully timed and animated and imaginative sight gags, that contain enough surprises and a non-stop lively pace. The highlight is the hilarious ending.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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