Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies filmography (1929–39)

Identification numbers

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons were each assigned identification numbers that would appear directly on title cards shown at the beginning of each short. These numbers included cartoon studio production numbers, Vitaphone release numbers, Blue Ribbon re-release numbers, and MPAA certificate numbers. Not all of these types of numbers were listed in the title cards of every cartoon and the numbering schemes were sometimes inconsistent. For example, until 1943 cartoons listed Vitaphone release numbers but not cartoon studio production numbers. These release numbers, in turn, increased to 9999 but then restarted at 1. Complicating matters was the Warner Bros. Blue Ribbon re-release program, in which some cartoons were re-released in theaters with new title cards that often removed original production credits and substituted production or release numbers with new re-release numbers. In many cases, the Blue Ribbon releases are the only available prints of a cartoon, making it challenging to discern these cartoons' correct original production information.

In the list below, Blue Ribbon re-release numbers are noted with "BR" and Vitaphone release numbers are noted with "VP".

1929

Bosko, the Talk-Ink Kid, a 1929 live-action short film produced to sell a series of Bosko cartoons, was never released to theaters, and therefore not seen by a wide audience until 71 years later on Cartoon Network's television special Toonheads: The Lost Cartoons on March 12, 2000, although in an edited form. The film was produced in May 1929, directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising. In the film, a cartoonist (portrayed in live action by Rudolph Ising) draws Bosko, who comes to life. Bosko speaks, sings, dances and plays the piano before the cartoonist sucks him into his ink pen and pours him back into the inkwell. Bosko pops out of the bottle and promises to return.

The full cartoon is present on disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1 as a special feature.

1930

All cartoons are Looney Tunes starring Bosko and are all directed by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising. All cartoons are scored by Frank Marsales. None of the primary characters of Looney Tunes would appear until 1935, and would appear in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons until 1968.

1931

This year marks the debut of the Merrie Melodies series. All Merrie Melodies cartoons are directed by Rudolf Ising, and all Looney Tunes cartoons after The Tree's Knees are directed by Hugh Harman. The cartoons star Bosko, Foxy, Piggy, and other characters. All the cartoons are scored by Frank Marsales. Two cartoons were animated by children's author Dr. Seuss, though they were not released under either the Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies banners.

1932

All cartoons are directed by Hugh Harman or Rudolf Ising. All cartoons are scored by Frank Marsales.

1933

All cartoons up until Buddy's Day Out are scored by Frank Marsales.

1934

This year marks the beginning of production of color WB cartoons. For this year, most would still be in black and white up until Rhythm in the Bow. Also, starting with Honeymoon Hotel, the "I Think You're Ducky" theme was shortened.

1935

All Merrie Melodies cartoons are in 2-strip Technicolor (except where noted).

1936

This year, the Merrie Melodies series adopts the Merrily We Roll Along theme song starting with Boulevardier from the Bronx. The Merrie Melodies series also begins using "target" opening and closing titles this year starting with I Wanna Play House, minus the "zooming" WB shield.

1937

Starting this year, the Looney Tunes series adopts The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down theme song starting with Rover's Rival.

1939

This year starting with Porky and Teabiscuit the opening credits will change a little for both Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. Warner Bros. will be above the shield instead of VITAPHONE. Below the shield will have present instead of presents.