Strife with Father is a 1950 Merrie Melodies short directed by Robert McKimson.
Title[]
The title is a play on the 1947 Warner Bros. film Life with Father, based on the 1939 stage play.
Plot[]
A buzzard egg is mysteriously delivered to two sparrows, Gwendolyn and Monte. The "upper crusty" and very proper English Sparrows are not accustomed to having a repulsively ugly (and incredibly stupid) little bird about, but Gwendolyn convinces her husband that the baby bird will grow into a "beautiful swan". Unfortunately, the little ugly bird grows into a very large ugly bird. Monte cannot even stand hearing the name of their "progeny", particularly when eating. But nonetheless, he takes Beaky out into the world to demonstrate the art of hunting for prey, such as barnyard fowl. Of course, Beaky, being incredibly shy and inept, repeatedly causes many grievous injuries to Monte, and it is all Monte can do to salvage what little self-respect remains.
Caricatures[]
- Ronald and Benita Colman - specifically their portrayals from The Jack Benny Program; "Not while I'm eating!" was a common reply when Benita spoke of Jack or another cast member. Monte's last line, "If I were king..." was also the name of a 1938 film starring Ronald Colman.
Availability[]
The Flame and the Arrow
Burt Lancaster Signature Collection
Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 2, Disc Two (restored with original titles)
Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 2, Disc Two (restored with original titles)
Streaming[]
Notes[]
- This short is the final classic-era appearance of Beaky Buzzard.
- This is the only Beaky Buzzard short that was directed by Robert McKimson, as "Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid" and "The Bashful Buzzard" were both directed by Bob Clampett and "The Lion's Busy" was directed by Friz Freleng.
- Although Freleng made Beaky a little smarter in his previous short, in this short, McKimson used his original characterization from "Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid" and "The Bashful Buzzard". This short was produced before "The Lion's Busy", as evidenced by its production and MPAA numbers.
- This is the first cartoon Rod Scribner worked on as an animator since "Birth of a Notion", as he had been suffering from tuberculosis and could barely work. He would remain in the McKimson unit until the temporary shutdown in 1953.
Gallery[]
References[]