The Shooting of Dan McGoo

"The Shooting of Dan McGoo" (1945)
Previous	The Screwy Truant (January 13th, 1945)
Next	Jerky Turkey (April 7th, 1945)
Air Date	March 3rd, 1945
Certificate Number	9866
Runtime	8 min
Starring	Dan McGoo (Droopy) Wolf Lou (Red)
Crew
Voices	Tex Avery Frank Graham Sara Berner Imogene Lynn Patrick McGeehan
Director	Tex Avery
Writer	Heck Allen Robert W. Service (poem)
Producer	Fred Quimby
Animated by	Ed Love Preston Blair Ray Abrams Walt Clinton (credited on original print)
Music	Scott Bradley

The Shooting of Dan McGoo is a 1945 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer animated short directed by Tex Avery for MGM.

Plot

This starts off as an adaptation of Robert W. Service's poem The Shooting of Dan McGrew.

The story begins in Coldernell, Alaska - Population 320 and getting smaller—a wild, rough town where gold is king and gambling, drinking and shooting each other are the major activities. Droopy is Dangerous Dan McGoo, a lone gambler, whose only love is the girl they call "Lou", played by Red.

Wolf drags himself into the Malamute Saloon from the 50-below cold. As Lou performs on stage, Wolf becomes obsessed with her and decides to take her for his own. He fires his guns randomly, scaring people away as he takes Lou outside. Dan McGoo is there to stop him. Wolf turns out the lights and shots are fired. When the lights come back on Wolf is dead and Dan McGoo is victorious.

Lou gives Dan McGoo a kiss out of gratitude, resulting in McGoo going wild.

Voices

• Tex Avery - Dan McGoo (Droopy)
• Frank Graham - Narrator, Wolf, Bartender
• Sara Berner - Lou (Red)
• Imogene Lynn - Lou (singing)
• Bill Thompson - Droopy (one line; stock; reused from Big Heel-Watha (Buck of the Month))
• Patrick McGeehan - Piano Player (stock; reused from What's Buzzin' Buzzard?)
• Pinto Colvig - Wolf howls (stock; reused from Red Hot Riding Hood)

Censorship

The cartoon was edited for a 1951 re-release, removing two cigarette-related gags from the film and the original opening titles.

Gallery

Title Card

"What a repulsive way to make a living."

Dan Mcgoo: "Hello, all you happy taxpayers."

Lou: "Hello, boys."

Awoooo!!!!!!

"You might as well move on, doc. I don't move from here all through the picture."

"I think the dealer is crooked."

A man with a foot in the grave.

"The drinks are on the house, boys."

Straight whisky

"This stuff's been cut."

"What do you want for ten cents? Gasoline?"

"T'aint funny, Mcgoo"

"And now introducing..."

"...that little Army Charmer..."

"...that Navy Baby..."

"...that Marine Queen..."

"...the lady that's known as Lou!"

"Beat it, boys. Ya botha me."

"Put your arms around me, Wolfy. Hold me tight."

"Awoooo"

"Won't you roll those eyes?"

"When you look at me..."

"...my heart begins to float."

"Then it starts bouncing like a PT boat."

"I never knew any wolf like you."

"Put your arms around me, daddy. Hold me tight."

"Just huddle up and cuddle up with all your might."

"Won't you roll those eyes?"

"Eyes that I just idolize."

"When you look at me, my heart begins to leep."

"Then it starts jumping like an Army jeep."

"I never knew any sailor, soldier..."

"...or marine..."

"...or any wolf like YOOOOUUUUUUU!"

"You're my gal, now, baby."

"And I'll murdah the bum that don't like it."

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Let's take this game outside.

"You and me's gettin' outta here, sugah."

"That's what you think, brother."

Bang! Bang!

"Thanks a million, Danny wanny."

Awwooooooo!!!

"You know what?... I'm happy."

Cultural References

• Wolf's line, "'T'ain't funny, McGoo" is a reference to the catchphrase "'T'ain't funny, McGee" from the radio show Fibber McGee and Molly.
• The name of the mortician, Rig R. Mortis, is a pun on rigor mortis.
• The name of the village can be seen on a sign that reads "Coldernell", a play on the words "colder than hell."