Character of the Week: Porky Pig

Porky Pig

Porky Pig first appeared in 1935 in the Warner Bros. cartoon “I Haven’t Got A Hat.”  He was originally paired with Beans the Cat, forming a partnership called Porky and Beans.  The partnership did not last, as the public had fallen for the cute stuttering pig right from the beginning.  Porky starred in 17 cartoons in 1936 and 16 in 1937, becoming Warner Bros.’ top performer.

Porky Pig’s voice was first done by Joe Dougherty, who himself had a stuttering problem.  In 1937, Mel Blanc became the voice behind the pig, and changed the way Porky Pig talked.  Instead of hearing him stutter all the time, it was usually heard at the beginning of his sentences.  Porky either finished the sentence by finally getting the word out, or he changed the troublesome word mid-sentence.  He might say something like “Good muh-muh-muh  (morning) and then change it to “eh Hello.”

In the early days, Porky Pig’s appearance and personality changed with each film.  At first, he was a chubby little naïve pig.  He later morphed into a fat adult pig, intelligent and capable of logical thinking in a cartoon world of absurd happenings.

In the late 1930’s, a character was introduced to the Porky Pig cartoons that would overshadow Porky Pig and become the next Warner Bros. star.  He was a black duck named Daffy Duck.  Once Daffy came along, Porky was used as a supporting character or sidekick to the zany duck.  Porky’s logical plans to thwart enemies complemented Daffy’s spontaneous actions, and made for a very funny team.

Although Porky Pig was seen as a co-star of Daffy, Bugs Bunny, and sometimes Sylvester the Cat, he still appeared in a few cartoons as the main character.  Porky Pig even received an Oscar nomination for his 1944 “The Swooner Crooner” theatrical short.  In the late 60s Porky starred in his own television show, “The Porky Pig Show,” until 1967.  And when his cartoons were sold to TV stations for syndication, he was seen on a regular basis.

Besides film and television, Porky Pig and the rest of the gang appeared in Dell Comics’ “Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies” comic books.  The comic book lasted 20 years, from 1942 to 1962!

Throughout the years, Porky continued to be in the movies, and compilations of his theatrical shorts were made into films such as 1986’s “Porky Pig In Hollywood.”  He also made a cameo appearance in 1988’s “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and was seen in the 1996 movie “Space Jam” with Michael Jordan and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang.

Porky Pig is one of the most beloved characters from the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes gang.  He has entertained children and adults for over 70 years, and shows no sign of disappearing.  He will forever be remembered for his trademark line “Th-th-th-that’s all folks!”

Porky Pig merchandise is not as prevalent as the other Looney Tunes characters’ memorabilia, but it does exist in the form of t-shirts, lunchboxes and other collectibles.  Check out our website for great cartoon movie posters and an adorable Porky Pig Bobblehead!