Warner Archives has announced today the September 19th release for Porky Pig 101 – a unique 5-disc DVD set that collects 99 black-and-white Looney Tunes (and two Technicolor Merrie Melodies) starring Warner Bros. first cartoon superstar.
The set includes cartoons dating from 1935 (with Porky’s first appearance in Friz Freleng’s I Haven’t Got A Hat) through 1943 (in Frank Tashlin’s Porky Pig’s Feat), presented in original release order. There is audio commentary on key cartoons from animation historians Greg Ford, Michael Barrier, Jerry Beck, Mark Kausler, among others.
The retail price is $47.99. In anticipation of high consumer demand, initial copies of Porky Pig 101, ordered via the Warner Archives website, will be traditionally manufactured using replicated (pressed) discs.
The collection provides a unique look at the evolution of the Warner Brothers cartoon, its humor and artistry, and the maturation of budding animators and directors Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Chuck Jones, Ub Iwerks, Frank Tashlin – as well as utility players like Jack King, Norm McCabe, Ben Hardaway, Cal Dalton and Cal Howard.
Five years in the making – this set contains dozens of cartoons new to video, never before committed to DVD. Cartoons not seen on TV in decades. Support of this collection will signal to the company that fans of classic animated films still wish to buy collections on physical home media. It’s success will fuel further, more ambitious projects.
Porky Pig 101 also contains several bonus features. Porky Pig, however, appears pants-less in most of the shorts. For more information about this set- visit WarnerArchive.com.
