Deduce, You Say (1956) User Reviews

Dorlock Holmes, Porky Watkins and the Shropshire Slasher in a funny and affectionate take on Sherlock Holmes

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 11 June 2016]

'Deduce You Say' may not be among the best of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig's cartoons, but it still has many pleasures and as a fan of Sherlock Holmes this reviewer loved its fun and affectionate take on the characters and such.

It is agreed that 'Deduce You Say' loses its energy when the Shropshire Slasher shows up, and that the humour lacks the same timing, quality (the antics indeed are very predictable and not as funny as the rest of the cartoon) and bite of the material beforehand. Shropshire Slasher pales in comparison to Daffy and Porky in the humour stakes and is also not as threatening as he could have been, despite being set up so well when off-screen to be so, and while this reviewer had no problem with the animation the design of the Shropshire Slasher is pretty odd.

However, while very different to usual Chuck Jones animation standards and more angular (so it is understandable that the animation won't be to everybody's tastes) the animation is mostly very good, with great use of shadings, shadows and shapes, a hauntingly atmospheric noir-ish feel to it which is wholly appropriate for a cartoon putting its spin on Sherlock Holmes. Milt Franklyn has his usual characterful energy and orchestral lushness, while also having a chillingly effective gloominess at particularly the start.

Also am in agreement that Michael Maltese's script and the gags are top-notch here. There is some razor-sharp and hilarious writing here for a vast majority of 'Deduce You Say' and the final quip is very funny though not exactly new. The gags are well-animated and imaginative, and there is a great Conan-Doyle-like atmosphere in the story throughout while with shades (as you can guess though this is very atypical Looney Tunes and Chuck Jones, and some may find it somewhat too different) of the loony Looney Tunes style.

Pacing for a vast majority of 'Deduce You Say' is vibrant and crisp, if slackening when the villain shows up. Daffy is hilarious in the "Dorlock Holmes" role and Porky is wonderfully reserved as "Watkins". Mel Blanc does a brilliant job with the voices, considering Blanc's outstanding calibre as a voice actor one doesn't expect any less.

In conclusion, funny, affectionate and atmospheric. Not a classic, but very good though with a couple of things that bring it down a touch. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A send-up of the Basil Rathbone-Nigel Bruce series..

[TM_Rezzek · 7/10 · 18 September 2016]

7 out of 10, mainly because the design is excellent, as is the script. For those who have watched and enjoyed the series of 'Sherlock Holmes' movies made from 1939 - 1946 (all starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) then this animated short would be a 10/10. Daffy's prickly, know-it-all personality satirizes the Basil Rathbone interpretation of Holmes, and Porky Pig as 'Watkins' does pretty much what Nigel Bruce did in all the films--nothing. Though at one point a frustrated Daffy barks: "All right, Watkins--enough of your bumbling!" which is a reference to how Watson was portrayed as a clueless idiot by Bruce. And as a topper, writer Michael Maltese is able to insert the line "Elementary, my dear Watkins (Watson.)" in a perfect spot.

An awkward, angular cartoon which is saved by a great script

[phantom_tollbooth · 6/10 · 18 August 2008]

Chuck Jones's 'Deduce, You Say' is one of the least celebrated of his genre spoofs in which he cast Porky and Daffy in well known roles. Although it is an enjoyable cartoon, 'Deduce, You Say' is undoubtedly inferior to instant classics such as 'Robin Hood Daffy', 'Duck Dodgers in the 24th ½ Century' and 'Dripalong Daffy'. Although it boasts a magnificent script from Michael Maltese, Jones has opted for an angular, stylised look which doesn't quite work. The premise of having Daffy and Porky fill in for Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson ought to be comedy gold but the odd look of 'Deduce You Say' is detrimental. Also, Maltese's otherwise fantastic script suddenly flags when the main villain, the Shropshire Strangler, shows up. It suddenly goes from razor wit to predictable antics, only regaining its footing with the smart climactic quip. Despite its flaws, 'Deduce, You Say' is a fun piece which is significantly dwarfed by the solid gold classics it aspires to emulate.

Daffy Holmes

[Michael_Elliott · 12 April 2009]

Deduce, You Say (1954)

*** (out of 4)

Nice spoof of Sherlock Holmes has Dorlock Homes (Daffy Duck) and Watkins (Porky Pig) trying to locate the Shropshire Slasher, who just happens to be looking for them as well. If you're a fan of the Universal Holmes series then I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this short, which actually manages to pay nice homage to the earlier series but it also works perfectly well as a cartoon. The animation by Jones is brilliant, especially all the dark colors that are in the bar that the film takes place in. Both Daffy and Porky are at the top of their game and the villain also manages to get some very good laughs. The final joke with a famous line from the Holmes films are also priceless.

Amusing takeoff on Holmes and Watson

[llltdesq · 9/10 · 12 October 2000]

This cartoon, while not as funny as Boobs in the Woods, most certainly has its moments. Pay attention to the drink orders in the pub and watch Porky in his scenes. Daffy is even more of a twit here than normal, but that's part of his charm. The cartoon is an affectionate takeoff on the Sherlock Holmes stories with an achingly bad last line. All in all, a very enjoyable effort. Well worth watching, although I'm not sure Sir Arthur or many Baker Street Irregulars would be as amused as I am.

An awkward cartoon which is saved by a great script*

[Mightyzebra · 8/10 · 8 November 2008]

I enjoyed this Looney Tune very much - especially as Porky and Daffy were partners here. Daffy Duck is "Dorlock Holmes" and Porky is Watkins, his assistant. You have probably guessed already what this episode is about even if you did not know what happens beforehand. I didn't know what would happen - which is why it was such a great surprise for me that Daffy Duck was Sherlock Holmes! The way he has an unintelligent character here is something annoying that could have been changed, but in some aspects he was smart. As Watkins says at the beginning of the episode (which I think Watson himself says in the book), "I discovered he was a very observant person". Someone here said in his/her review that Daffy Duck has 0 intelligence as Sherlock Holmes but this is not true.

Dorlock Holmes has to track down the criminal Shropshire Slasher and so he and Watkins set off. The Shropshire Slasher that the pair find is not who they expect to find...

I recommend this episode to people who like Daffy when he is less intelligent than Porky, people who want to see Porky and Daffy as partners rather than enemies and people who love Looney Tunes in general. Enjoy "Deduce You Say"! :-)

P.S The last line is the funniest - so wait patiently for it.

*Sorry to use your summary magicunicorn, but I agree with you so much that I had to use it (almost to the word) as well. ;-)

For elementary students, my dear Watson (and for other age groups, too)

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 8 June 2005]

Usually, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are enemies, but here, they're partners. Daffy plays Dorlock Holmes and Porky is Watson. The two are investigating crimes committed by someone known as "The Shropshire Slasher". When they finally meet the Shropshire Slasher, Daffy tries to overpower him, but always gets overpowered. Porky, on the other hand, knows exactly what to do every time. When the Shropshire Slasher's mother arrives, Daffy accuses her of selling flowers illegally, and...well, let's just say that was biggest mistake of his life.

I don't know how the Looney Tunes creative team was able to come up with something every time, but they did it again. Let's face it, those men were geniuses.

"You may be big . . . "

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 5 January 2016]

" . . . but I am small!" Daffy Duck (as Dorlock Homes) challenges Scotland Yard's Public Enemy Number One, the hulking Shropshire Slasher. More than ably assisted by his pipe-smoking sidekick Dr. Watkins (played in DEDUCE, YOU SAY by Porky Pig), Dorlock shares a wealth of Bon Mots here. "I'm brown as a nut, and fit as a lath" (perhaps meaning to say "fit as a lathe") Daffy reveals midway through this Looney Tune. "You Ruddy Coastermongers," Dorlock addresses the denizens of Henry the Eighth's Fifths Pub (featuring "Selzer Water," most likely in honor of this animated short's producer, Edward S.). As Dr. Watkins observes, he and Dorlock are "in for a rum go" before this episode concludes. And well they should be, masquerading as indigenous English types after venturing thousands of miles away from America's friendly confines. If this pair were trying to apprehend a Wreaker of Havoc on U.S. soil who'd subsequently fled to Britain (such as Sweeney Todd, Edward Scissorhands, Captain Jack Sparrow, or the Mad Hatter), their dogged pursuit of a suspect might be hailed as patriotic if foolhardy. However, Daffy's bravado seems totally misplaced here, no matter how elementary his schooling.

Sherlock Holmes

[rbverhoef · 6/10 · 6 May 2004]

This is a pretty amusing cartoon with Daffy Duck as a detective named Dorlock Holmes and is little helper is Porky Pig as Watkins, both with the voice of Mel Blanc. Of course set in London they investigate a case that involves the Shropshire Slasher. Although Daffy thinks he is the smart detective he makes mistakes over and over again. Porky seems the more suitable man for the job.

This Looney Tunes take on Sherlock Holmes and Watkins is a pretty funny one, although it not very memorable. It has some nice moments, especially Porky Pig made me laugh quite some times. 'Deduce, You Say' is worth watching but not much more than that.

Deduce, You Say is another legendary heroes spoof from Daffy and Porky

[tavm · 7/10 · 7 January 2008]

This is another Daffy Duck-Porky Pig cartoon short directed by Chuck Jones in which the two leads portray legendary folk heroes. In this one the duck is Dorlock Holmes and the pig is Watkins. They're on the search for the Shropshire Slasher. Daffy, as usual, has trouble taking him in while Porky manages to convince him to turn himself over especially after Daffy insults the Slasher's mother. Not hilarious but has many very amusing bits like the times when Daffy loses his beak after tripping on the stairs or some of the clues he takes. Notice in the credits the director actually is credited as "Chuck Jones" and not his previous "Charles M. Jones". This was on disc 2 of The Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Vol. 1.

A Stupid Sherlock

[ccthemovieman-1 · 4/10 · 25 February 2007]

Being a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, I was pumped when I saw this cartoon is a parody of him. Daffy Duck is "Dorlock Homes," who recalls one of his cases: "The Case of the Shropshire Slasher." His assistant, "Dr. Watkins," is played by Porky Pig. First off, the drawings of London and its streets are magnificent. Kudos to the artist(s).

Unfortunately, the rest of the cartoon didn't live up to that anticipated gem I was expecting. Instead of clever material about a clever detective, it was just stupid with zero cleverness. Basil Rathbone would roll over in his grave watching this, but Nigel Bruce might like it.

Elementary, it's an average short

[movieman_kev · 23 November 2004]

A fairly silly take-off on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Daffy Duck playing a bombastic shrill Sherlock, and Porky Pig as a calm and reserved Watson. A few good laughs, but not enough to elevate it above most Looney Tune shorts. A few grown inducing play on words, but I like that type of humour, so this short was just alright by me. Not my favorite, but nor the worst Tune that I've seen. Don't misunderstand me as the worst Looney Tune is still a million times better then 'The Simpsons" has been in the last handful of years. This cartoon is on Disk 2 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1"

My Grade: C+

"Eh, r-re-really, Homes, you, you never cease to amaze me."

[slymusic · 8 June 2009]

"Deduce, You Say" is a fine Daffy Duck/Porky Pig cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. Daffy and Porky work together in different ways, depending on who is directing the cartoon. But under the helm of Chuck Jones, Daffy is a brash, cocky, loudmouthed blowhard who believes he is the best at what he is given to do, usually resulting in him not being effective at all and getting the stuffing beat out of him. Porky, on the other hand, keeps his cool and simply observes Daffy making the biggest ass out of himself. In this case, Daffy is Dorlock Homes and Porky is his assistant Watkins, and together they must locate the Shropshire Slasher and place him behind bars. They find him inside a tavern, where we see a handful of well-drawn seedy-looking oddballs.

Here are my favorite sequences from "Deduce, You Say". I love the very opening panning shot of the darkened streets of London, accompanied by some wonderfully gloomy music by Milt Franklyn. When Dorlock enters the tavern he falls bill first onto the floor. The telegram deliveryman appears to be dead when he falls over into Dorlock's threshold, but he merely gets up and, in a humorous Cockney voice, tells Dorlock to have that one step fixed.

Upon recently watching "Deduce, You Say", I was reminded of the great comedian Shemp Howard (best known as one of the Three Stooges) when Dorlock (Daffy) tries to be wildly physical with the big, burly Shropshire Slasher. In a fair number of films, Shemp would often perform a hilarious fighter's dance when confronted with an adversary, but of course, Shemp himself would always be the recipient of the first punch!