The Walter Lantz Cartune Encyclopedia: 1948

The Mad Hatter Release Date: 2/16/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Webb Smith Animation: Ken O'Brien and Fred Moore Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-2 A Woody Woodpecker cartoon Working title: Top Hat First onscreen credits for Ken O'Brien and Fred Moore at Lantz Prior to securing a contract with United Artists, the original production number of this short was G-1. Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 10 (DVD; Columbia House)

Banquet Busters Release Date: 3/3/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Webb Smith Animation: Ken O'Brien and Fred Moore Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-3 A Woody Woodpecker cartoon, featuring Andy Panda Last onscreen credit for Webb Smith at Lantz Video availability: Woody Woodpecker Favorites (Reissue print; DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (Reissue print; DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 2 (DVD; Columbia House) Walter Lantz Presents: Woody Woodpecker: Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 (VHS; Universal/MCA) Walter Lantz Presents: Woody Woodpecker: Collector's Edition (Laserdisc; Universal/MCA)

Kiddie Koncert Release Date: 4/21/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Jack Cosgriff Animation: Ed Love and Sidney Pillet Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-4 A Musical Miniature, featuring Wally Walrus Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 9 (DVD; Columbia House)

Wacky-Bye Baby Release Date: 5/2/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Jack Cosgriff Animation: Les Kline and Pat Matthews Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-6 A Woody Woodpecker cartoon Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 9 (DVD; Columbia House) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends: The Screwdriver (VHS; Goodtimes) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 2 (VHS; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 2 (Laserdisc; Universal/MCA)

Pixie Picnic Release Date: 5/28/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Jack Cosgriff Animation: Verne Harding and Fred Moore Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Featuring The Overture To La Gazza Ladra (The Theiving Magpie) By Rossini Notes: Production Number: UA-1 The final Musical Miniature cartoon Last onscreen credit for Fred Moore at Lantz Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 2 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 4 (DVD; Columbia House)

Wet Blanket Policy Release Date: 8/27/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Heck Allen Animation: Les Kline and Ken O'Brien Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish "Woody Woodpecker" Sung By: Gloria Wood and Harry Babbit Notes: Production Number: UA-9 A Woody Woodpecker cartoon The first appearance of Buzz Buzzard. First onscreen credit for Heck Allen at Lantz The first cartoon to feature The Woody Woodpecker Song. The Woody Woodpecker Song became a huge hit in June 1948 (selling over 250,000 records within ten days of release). In response to the tune's popularity, Lantz rushed the song into this cartoon (which was released in August 1948). This explains why the action and music don't really match up for the first minute or so into the film. The Woody Woodpecker Song was originally recorded by Kay Kyser and his Orchestra. The vocals were provided by Gloria Wood and Harry Babbit, who also provide the vocals for the version heard in this cartoon. This cartoon has the honor of being the only cartoon short ever to be nominated for an Oscar for "Best Song" (for The Woody Woodpecker Song). Hidden Gag: Look for an ad for Walter Lantz's funnies at the beginning of this one. Video availability: Woody Woodpecker Favorites (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 8 (Edited TV print; DVD; Columbia House) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 1 (Reissue print; VHS; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 1 (Reissue print; Laserdisc; Universal/MCA)

Playful Pelican Release Date: 10/8/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Jack Cosgriff Animation: Ed Love and Ken O'Brien Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-8 An Andy Panda cartoon Last onscreen credits for Jack Cosgriff and Ken O'Brien at Lantz Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 11 (TV print; DVD; Columbia House)

Dog Tax Dodgers Release Date: 11/26/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Heck Allen Animation: Verne Harding and Pat Matthews Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-10 An Andy Panda cartoon Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 2 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 10 (DVD; Columbia House) Walter Lantz Presents: Man's Best Friend (VHS; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 3 (VHS; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and His Friends, Vol. 3 (Laserdisc; Universal/MCA)

Wild and Woody! Release Date: 12/31/48 Direction: Dick Lundy Story: Ben Hardaway and Heck Allen Animation: Ed Love and Pat Matthews Music: Darrell Calker Backgrounds: Fred Brunish Notes: Production Number: UA-11 A Woody Woodpecker cartoon Last onscreen credit for Pat Matthews at Lantz Hairy James is a spoof of Harry James, the popular swing trumpeter and bandleader. Video availability: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA) Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 9 (Edited TV print; DVD; Columbia House) Walter Lantz Presents: Wild and Woody (VHS; Universal/MCA)