Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Explained

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice is a series of Blu-ray discs from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment's Warner Archive division collecting various Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical animated short subjects from Warner Bros. Cartoons. According to Jerry Beck, the aim of this series is to release Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts that have been previously unavailable in remastered form to animation fans and collectors on the various DVD and Blu-ray sets, such as the Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Looney Tunes Platinum Collection, Looney Tunes Super Stars, and Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection sets. Roughly 400 shorts had yet to be released in said DVD or Blu-ray format before the release of this series, but the series also includes shorts that were previously released as bonus features on DVDs.

This is the first Looney Tunes Blu-ray to be released through Warner Archive, as opposed to the main home video division (second overall home media release after the Porky Pig 101 DVD set in 2017). Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 was announced on March 28, 2023[1] and released on May 30.[2] Keeping with tradition with other Golden Age of Animation releases by Warner Archive (such as Popeye the Sailor: The 1940s and Tex Avery Screwball Classics), Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 is a single-disc set with no bonus material. The set contains 20 cartoons that were previously unavailable on DVD or Blu-ray, presented uncut and digitally restored.

Animation historian and curator, Jerry Beck and Warner Archive President George Feltenstein indicated that strong sales of Volume 1 could result in future volumes, with more cartoons and multiple discs.[3]

On September 18, due to strong sales of Volume 1, Warner Archive announced Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 2 — which included 25 cartoons and was released on December 12, 2023.[4]

On January 23, 2024, Warner Archive announced Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 3, which was released on March 12.[5]

On July 30, 2024, Warner Archive announced they are working on Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4 with an intended release date of November 26.[6]

Volume 1

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1
Director:Chuck Jones
Friz Freleng
Arthur Davis
Robert McKimson
Frank Tashlin
Producer:Leon Schlesinger
Eddie Selzer
John W. Burton
Starring:Mel Blanc
Distributor:Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Country:United States
Language:English

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 was released on May 30, 2023. The set includes 20 cartoons- none of which have previously been released on DVD or Blu-ray before. They are all presented uncut and digitally restored.

Beanstalk Bunny and Catch as Cats Can were sourced from new 4K scans from the original camera negatives.[7] According to Jerry Beck, the set was delayed for almost a full year because the Library of Congress had difficulty shipping the camera negatives for Catch as Cats Can to the Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank. The other cartoons on this set had previously been restored for HBO Max streaming service in 2020[8] - with HBO removing many of them being earlier that same year.[9] However, for this release Warner Archive corrected many of the errors initially made by HBO Max, such as Photoshopped titles.

TitleCharactersYearDirectorSeries
1Beanstalk BunnyBugs, Daffy, Elmer1955Chuck JonesMM
2Catch as Cats CanSylvester1947Arthur DavisMM
3The Unruly HareBugs, Elmer1945Frank TashlinMM
4His Bitter HalfDaffy1950Friz FrelengMM
5Daffy DoodlesDaffy, Porky1946Robert McKimsonLT
6Cracked QuackDaffy, Porky1952Friz FrelengMM
7Little Orphan AiredaleCharlie, Porky1947Chuck JonesLT
8Hip Hip-Hurry!Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner1958Chuck JonesMM
9Hot-Rod and Reel!Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner1959Chuck JonesLT
10Greedy for TweetySylvester, Tweety, Granny, Hector1957Friz FrelengLT
11Stooge for a MouseSylvester, Hector1950Friz FrelengMM
12A Mouse DividedSylvester1953Friz FrelengMM
13A Fractured LeghornFoghorn1950Robert McKimsonMM
14Plop Goes the WeaselFoghorn, Barnyard1953Robert McKimsonLT
15Tale of Two MiceBabbit and Catstello1945Frank TashlinLT
16The Foxy Duckling1947Arthur DavisMM
17Two Gophers from TexasGoofy Gophers1948Arthur DavisMM
18Doggone CatsSylvester1947Arthur DavisMM
19What's Brewin', Bruin?The Three Bears1948Chuck JonesLT
20The Bee-Deviled BruinThe Three Bears1949Chuck JonesMM

Volume 2

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 2
Director:Chuck Jones
Friz Freleng
Tex Avery
Robert McKimson
Frank Tashlin
Arthur Davis
Abe Levitow
Norman McCabe
Maurice Noble
Producer:Leon Schlesinger
Eddie Selzer
John W. Burton
Starring:Mel Blanc
Distributor:Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Country:United States
Language:English

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 2 was released on December 12, 2023. This set included 25 cartoons never before released on DVD or Blu-Ray - five more than on Volume 1.[10] In contrast to the previous volume, Volume 2 focuses more on miscellaneous "one-shot" cartoons and characters.

Like the previous volume, only two cartoons (Brother Brat and Ghost Wanted) were specifically restored for this release, while the other cartoons were previously restored for HBO Max and Me-TV, with Warner Archive correcting the Photoshopped titles (most notably on A Hound for Trouble).[11] In addition Cross Country Detours had its original opening title sequence restored, as opposed to the Blue Ribbon re-issue titles featured on previous releases.[12]

Volume 2 includes the following cartoons:

TitleCharactersYearDirectorSeries
1Behind the Meat-Ball1945Frank TashlinLT
2Brother BratPorky1944Frank TashlinLT
3Catty CorneredSylvester, Tweety, Rocky1953Friz FrelengMM
4Cross Country Detours1940Tex AveryMM
5Daffy's Southern ExposureDaffy1942Norman McCabeLT
6Ding Dog Daddy1942Friz FrelengMM
7The Eager Beaver1946Chuck JonesMM
8Fair and Worm-er1946Chuck JonesMM
9Fin'n Catty1943Chuck JonesMM
10From Hand to Mouse1944Chuck JonesLT
11Ghost Wanted1940Chuck JonesMM
12Greetings BaitWacky Worm1943Friz FrelengMM
13Hamateur NightProto-Elmer1939Tex AveryMM
14Hare-Breadth HurryBugs, Wile E.1963Chuck Jones, Maurice NobleLT
15A Hick, a Slick, and a Chick1948Arthur DavisMM
16Hiss and Make Up1943Friz FrelengMM
17A Hound for TroubleCharlie1951Chuck JonesMM
18I Wanna Be a Sailor1937Tex AveryMM
19The Leghorn Blows at MidnightFoghorn, Barnyard, Henery1950Robert McKimsonLT
20Lickety-SplatWile E. Coyote and the Road Runner1961Chuck Jones, Abe LevitowLT
21One Meat BrawlPorky, Barnyard1947Robert McKimsonMM
22The Penguin Parade1938Tex AveryMM
23Rabbit RampageBugs, Elmer (cameo)1955Chuck JonesLT
24The Rebel Without ClawsSylvester, Tweety1961Friz FrelengLT
25The Wacky WormWacky Worm1941Friz FrelengMM

Volume 3

Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 3
Director:Chuck Jones
Robert McKimson
Friz Freleng
Tex Avery
Arthur Davis
Gerry Chiniquy
Earl Duvall
Maurice Noble
Producer:Leon Schlesinger
Eddie Selzer
John W. Burton
Starring:Mel Blanc
Distributor:Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Country:United States
Language:English

Volume 3 was released on March 12, 2024.

Like the previous volumes only two cartoons were specifically restored for this release - Mexican Joyride and Riff Raffy Daffy - while all the other cartoons were previously restored for HBO Max and MeTV, with Warner Archive fixing most of the Photoshopped title cards. Riff Raffy Daffy was originally released on the DVD set but in an unrestored form. For this release Riff Raffy Daffy was given a brand-new transfer. Since the original separation exposure negatives are missing, critics noted that while Riff Raffy Daffy doesn't look as pristine as the other cartoons on the set, it still looks far superior than on previous releases.[13] Hobo Bobo also had its original opeining titles restored.

Volume 3 contains the following cartoons:[14]

TitleCharactersYearDirectorSeries
1A Feud There WasProto-Elmer1938Tex AveryMM
2China JonesDaffy, Porky1959Robert McKimsonLT
3Cinderella Meets FellaProto-Elmer1938Tex AveryMM
4Dumb PatrolBugs, Sam1964Gerry ChiniquyLT
5Egghead Rides AgainEgghead1937Tex AveryMM
6Elmer's Pet RabbitBugs, Elmer1941Chuck JonesMM
7Hobo Bobo1947Robert McKimsonMM
8Honeymoon Hotel1934Earl DuvallMM
9Hop, Skip and a Chump1942Friz FrelengMM
10I Only Have Eyes for You1937Tex AveryMM
11Mexican JoyrideDaffy1947Arthur DavisLT
12The Mouse on 57th Street1961Chuck JonesMM
13Mr. and Mrs. Is the NameBuddy1935Friz FrelengMM
14Of Rice and HenFoghorn, Barnyard, Prissy1953Robert McKimsonLT
15Pre-Hysterical HareBugs, Elmer1958Robert McKimsonLT
16Punch Trunk1953Chuck JonesLT
17Quentin Quail1946Chuck JonesMM
18Riff Raffy DaffyDaffy, Porky1948Arthur DavisLT
19Saddle Silly1941Chuck JonesMM
20Sheep AhoyRalph and Sam1954Chuck JonesMM
21The Sheepish Wolf1942Friz FrelengMM
22There Auto Be a Law1953Robert McKimsonLT
23Tugboat GrannySylvester, Tweety, Granny1956Friz FrelengMM
24War and PiecesWile E. Coyote and the Road Runner1964Chuck Jones, Maurice NobleLT
25Wet HareBugs, Blacque Jacque1962Robert McKimsonLT

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Millard . Tim . 3 April 2023 . Warner Archive May Part 1 Release Announcement: Border Incident, Clash By Night, Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 1 . 10 June 2023 . The Extras.
  2. Web site: Miller III . Randy . 15 May 2023 . Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 Blu-ray . 10 June 2023 . Blu-Ray.com.
  3. Web site: Millard . Tim . 23 May 2023 . Looney Tunes Review & Collector's Choice Vol. 1 Preview . 10 June 2023 . The Extras.
  4. Web site: September 18, 2023 . Warner Archive Announcement . Facebook.
  5. Web site: Millard III . Tim . Warner Archive February & Early March Release Announcement . The Extras.TV . Otaku . 23 January 2024. 23 January 2024.
  6. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/NGRxAxz1txUScfVB/ . Facebook . Warner Archive . 30 July 2024.
  7. Web site: Beck . Jerry . 10 April 2023 . Looney Tunes Collectors Choice Vol. 1 . 10 June 2023 . Cartoon Research.
  8. Web site: Komorowski . Thad . 16 May 2023 . Thad K Reviews "Looney Tunes Collectors Choice" Vol. 1 . 10 June 2023 . Cartoon Research.
  9. Web site: Spangler . Todd . HBO Max Removes 256 'Looney Tunes' Shorts, Three Seasons of 'The Flintstones' . . January 3, 2023 . 10 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Miller III . Randy . Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 2 Blu-ray Review . Blu-Ray.com . December 13, 2023 . 19 December 2023.
  11. Web site: Komorowski . Thad . Thad K Reviews "Looney Tunes Collectors Choice" Vol. 2 . Cartoon Research . December 11, 2023 . 19 December 2023.
  12. Web site: Millard . Tim . 12 December 2023 . Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Vol. 2 Blu-Ray Preview . 19 December 2023 . The Extras . Otaku Media.
  13. Web site: Komorowski . Thad . Thad K. Reviews Looney Tunes: Collector's Choice Vol. 3 . cartoonresearch.com . Cartoon Research . 22 February 2024. 9 April 2024.
  14. Web site: COMING TO BLU-RAY FROM THE WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION ON MARCH 12th: LOONEY TUNES COLLECTOR'S CHOICE VOL. 3 . Warner Archive Collection . Facebook . 23 January 2024 . 23 January 2024.