The Dover Boys (1942)

[LimeyLassen]

This is so excellent. I'm giddy.

[Timblesink]

Notice how the bolts on the door in the room Dora's 'trapped' in are on her side... she could have unlocked the door at any point.

Women.

[gnikcohs]

A ground breaking cartoon stylistically that nearly got Chuck Jones fired. Go figure.

The toon parodies a series of books for boys, called The Rover Boys, and period melodramas (like the 1890s) where villains were dastardly cads, women pure as the driven snow, and heroes stout hearted fellows, and so on

[alucardnolifeking222]

I Hate Dick!

[SlimGamer05]

Those Pony YTP brought me here.

[EpicFunkey]

Confound those ponies.

[MrBassRabbit]

Almost seventy years, and this is still funny.

[murielsartre]

Yoohoo! Yoohoo! Yoohoo!

[bunnybunchan]

Oh god.. I'm so amused by the sound of the car. RUBBER DUCKY.

[Kartoonkid95]

HOW I LOVE HER...father's money.

[Concetta20]

"THEIR Fianceé"? XD

"THEY DRRRIVE ME TO DRINK!" XD

[wickedfeylady]

Dora is a badass

[soleyiu]

A gay outing in the park? I knew it!

[DylanHilldog]

KAHN!!!!

...

-found them!

[VaativonRagnas]

Dan Backslide. He may be a coward, bully, cad, and thief but he sure cares about the trees

[NamelessMod]

4 people are cowards, bullies, cats, and theives

[Exterioramoeba]

I love how this is still funny 70 years later.

[42prolly]

OH HOW I LOVE HER!

[liamnaruto]

apparetly yes it's parody of mystery novels in the 40's of a sereis of books i think

[dkupke]

"How I love her...father's money!"

Why do I get the feeling that accurately sums up the mindset of every boyfriend Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian has every had.

[AshCrafting]

We Need This Kind Of Comedy Back

[trainguy3985]

6:33 LOL!!!

[HyperShadic100]

Ah, the good old handbook of useful information. It teaches you how to plan to kidnap dear, rich, Dora Stanpipe; how to steal a runabout; and how to defeat your archnemiseises

[JDBW]

4:54 When committing GTA, yell your intentions at the top of your lungs, as well as the futility of anyone discovering your agenda.

[Greenday2004]

Dear rich Dora Stanpipe! How I love her!

Father's money.

[RiverofEgypt]

CON-

-FOUND THEM!

[KingRidley]

So what's the story with that guy who keeps interrupting the scenes?

Also this is probably the best Merrie Melodies I've ever seen, because of Dan Backslide.

[gnikcohs]

@KingRidley That guy is the running gag. He shows up a few times, who knows why, until the end, when he provides a surprise ending. A running gag character, usually someone pretty goofy, was a common gimmick used in a lot of Warner Bros cartoons. There was one in the Isle of Pingo Pongo who kept showing up and saying "N n n now boss?" and the narrator would say "not yet" until the end, when he would finally say "Yes now". There were many others.

[ohlookitsthatguy123]

i hate DICK

[davemadson]

1:11 A possible precursor of Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks?" LOL

[daregularperson]

@davemadson Silly walks have been around since cave paintings, basically! Before Dover Boys, Fleisher Popeye cartoons did it a lot, and before that even Vaudeville acts would play silly walks for humor!

[327Vex]

Dora is Moe

[LuwiigiMaster]

Ponies.

Now thumbs this comment up, since I said Ponies, which is the biggest fad since sliced bread. DO IT!

[dkupke]

"HOW I LOVE HER...father's money!"

Why do I have a feeling this very quote has been on the mind of every man Paris Hilton has ever dated?

[ickybonesss]

6:25 great still and smear combinations in here!

[MrKcspot]

This informational video leaves out the little known Dover boy, Ben.

[TheStrongBadMan]

Ha ha, he hates dick.

Wait.

[GlennMagusHarvey]

Well now I know the source of the sentence-mixed phrase "gay female trio".

[Ethenumber]

a funny cartoon! I'LL LIKE IT, NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!!!!!!!!!

[SubjectChronic]

NO 1 WILL EVER KNOW

[KingRidley]

@SubjectChronic too much work to type out the word "one," huh?

I understand. Words sure is hard.

[Takeshi357]

Dan Hibiki---gah, I mean Dan Backslide must be some relation to BRIAN BLESSED!!!

[Stablesgt]

INAKAMOTO - See my comments earlier this year.

[inakamoto]

This is a parody of something, I just know it.

[daregularperson]

@inakamoto Perhaps a parody of "The Gay 90's", since that's the time in which the short takes place. That's the 1890's, not the 1990's.

[RandomDouche0421]

3:23 OK OK!!! YOU'RE STRAIGHT!!!! WE GET IT!!!!!

[RandomDouche0421]

At least now she's marrying only one guy instead of three guys....

[pteroid01]

...What on earth was up with the random old guy?

[mbabitt]

Quote, HELP! unquote.

[killette2]

5:20

I thought he was raping her at first.

[zedus456]

I didnt know the joker was in this cartoon

[Kiristovai]

Oh man, remember when cartoons were good? Oh gosh this had me in stitches...

[darkprince39]

best episode ever

[216KINGDAVID]

Dainty Dora Standpipe is cute. She knows that story.

[1x93cm]

amazing animation

[ps3hater221]

3:16

[MrFisherman17]

Unhand her Dan Backslide

says it over and over again lmao

[magmos]

@MrFisherman17 Hence the "Hey! We're getting in a rut!" comment.

[RyleyAshford]

I couldn't stand characters like Dora. Despite whatever amount of safety (or lack of danger) they were in, they continued screaming and thrashing and displaying innate helpless-bitch behavior common to stupid fucking women from the 50s.

The primary examples are the parody silent cartoon damsel from 2 Stupid Dogs, Jack Slater's daughter in Last Action Hero, and (of course) Dora goddamn Standpipe of the Dover Boys of P.U. Fuck y'all bitches, I want me a real woman.

[mljedi]

@RyleyAshford and hence, that is the joke.

[RyleyAshford]

@mljedi No shit. And it's a stupid, annoying joke.

[TheGeminiStudios]

@RyleyAshford Shows to me you don't appreciated comedy period. 

[RyleyAshford]

@TheGeminiStudios Dude, I get the rest of the 'toon. I really do. It's just that one part that bothers me. It's like... WORSE than the "helpless damsel in distress" because it displays a very annoying truth in real-life women: they suck.

[LordlyJeremy]

this was the cartoon that made modern cartoons possible.

[Kenko706]

The parodic nature of this short, (specifically referencing "The Rover Boys" but also other titles of the Boy's Novels of the early 20th Century) tend still to be a flawless tribute to those novels none of us actually gew up with-- but our great grandparents did.

And being hilarious don't hurt none neither.

[MisterSmiley91]

To me, this is the PERFECT animated short! It has great writing, great animation, clever jokes, and hilarious characters!

[LuwiigiMaster]

@MisterSmiley91 Kinda like a "certain" "other" "show", right? :P

[MisterSmiley91]

@LuwiigiMaster I'm not sure what you're talking about. There are several shows that are like that.

[MrBassRabbit]

@LuwiigiMaster Are you talking about MLP?

[Doomy23]

Dan Backslide is the greatest character in anything ever made.

[Regvarde]

-Kidnapper getting frisky

-chuck his ass across the room

[TechnologicsCo]

i wanna learn the sailor's shuffle

[Kremzeek217]

Random Hobo = Epic

[mp01juve]

Where's their other brother Ben ?

[Trevthehedgehog7]

@mp01juve I see what you did there...

[Ultralocothedragon]

Dan Backslide is the greatest villain of all time.

[Pivotchop]

@Ultralocothedragon Even if he is a parody of villians, he Is the best

[Darkluffy]

That sailor was a bro. He just walked in, got the girl and walked out.

[seedah]

he said gay

[Tasuret]

@raymhensley I think Dan Backslide is secretly the main character.

[toaofanimation]

I never thought I'd find this whole thing on Youtube. I have it on an old VHS tape somewhere, but I don't even have a VCR anymore, so... Yeah.

[onemidnightgone]

If Tom were alive today, he'd totally be a bro.

[bluenudibranch]

confound

these ponies.

[Zistheone2]

Does anyone understand Dick's description?: 1:26 - 1:35

[ShadowXII]

@Zistheone2 "Dick - a serious lad of eighteen summers, plus a winter in Florida, as related in 'The Dover Boys in the Everglades..."

'of x summers' is a fancy way of saying how old someone is. 'plus one winter' is a play on the wording of said phrasing.

[ATHF10]

OVER HERE!!!!

[ShadowXII]

Wow, I didn't expect the ending.

Cartoons were better in the 40's.

[BaronVonLaladedo]

its....pretty obvious their gay right?

[nightwishslave]

@BaronVonLaladedo Not Dan Backslide, he did make it quite clear he hates dick.

[BaronVonLaladedo]

@nightwishslave i never meant Dan, hes more human than the Dover Boys. Charles M. Jones must b on some serious stuff if he thinks that the Dover Boys can be considered straight. I mean, comon, Tom was smiling so widly when Dick told him to get into the trash can with him.

[gutiboy187]

dan backslide looks like a joker rip off lol

[zorokicksass60]

how does the little guy bike?

[magmos]

@zorokicksass60 Through the sheer power of dapperness his hat and suit provide him.

[Matthawk12]

Lets see if I get this...

Dover boys - protagonists that likes to play hide and seek (count 15000) with Dora.

Dora Standpipe - A damsel in distress that seems to be so tough, and doesn't even act like she needs help.

Dan Backslide - A hammy villain, turned to damsel when kidnapping Dora (though still getting the crap beaten out of)

Some weird old guy that comes out of nowhere - Some weird old guy that comes out of nowhere.

[thps48]

SCOUT IS SPY!

[CommandoDude]

The only good character in this is Dan Backslide. The Large Ham that he is.

[Falcovsleon21]

3:16 Alright everyone, all together now: "CONFOUND THOSE DOVER BOYS! OH HOW I HATE THEM! I HATE TOM! I HATE DICK! AND I HATE LARRY! THEY DRIVE ME TO DRINK!"

[Joe35983]

2:38 DO NOT WANT

[G33K1001]

I miss this kkind of cartoons

[Piroborian]

Gotta love how neither scouts give even a tiny fuck about what's happening.

[BattleButlerJeeves]

CONFOUND THOSE PONIES!

[bananasXgoneXwild]

I HATE DICK

[BenjiBloodshed]

Why's Tom look like he's always going to do something. I blame that constant grin on his face.

[ShinobiBoiX]

Original bros!

[InnerVenom123]

THEY DRIVE ME TO DRINK!!!!!

[Pe30Beat]

"How I hate "dick" =))

[MrPhantaze]

I miss finnish version. it's only in YTP(in ym country STP)

[Khaenz]

@MrPhantaze

I didn't know there was a finnish version. And you could ask the creator to give you his source...

[MrPhantaze]

@Khaenz He have left youtube. but i think, there's my pooper friends, who knows about it's source

[KaminaDies]

No one will ever know? That's like a murderer sneaking up on his Victim and screaming.

"I'M GOING TO SLASH YOUR THROAT, AND THE POLICE WILL NEVER FIND ME."

[iamfilleg]

What the hell did I just see?!

Anyhow. I favored it. :D

[weylin6]

Can someone explain the deal with the reoccurring lazy legged sailor man?

Is it a subtle inside-joke I'm missing, or is it just meant to be funny for being random?

[metallicakixtotalass]

P.S. - 3:42 "KHAAAAAN FOUND THEM!!!" ... OH NO, we must contact the Enterprise immediately!

[metallicakixtotalass]

I still have no damn clue how bronies reclaimed a meme from a Warner Bros. cartoon, of all things.

[Amnamnimnus]

So... She can android haul his ass and break his whole house, but not unlock 3 bathroom stall locks?

God I fucking love cartoons.

[samandy79]

That Dainty Dora is whooping Dan Backslide's AZZ!

[SuppleBrony]

If only more producers were able to create such great cartoons nowadays. I mean, most modern day animation is created only with young children in mind, and the creators don't care for the humour, or quality in general.

[Kriegsmarine0]

Back when cartoons were good and weren't controlled by soccer moms

[looker768]

Wait they share the same fiance?

[Happymartin254]

Did anyone notice Dan Backslide doing a part of the swastika at 3:32 ?

[Xtheemowolf]

4:54 Because everyone shouts that they are going to steal something. It's the manly way to do it

[sonic7122]

4:54 "I'LL STEAL IT! NOONE WILL EVER KNOW!"

I like how he shouts his plans.

[Predatorfan666]

6:53

WTF Peeping Tom.

[FSinWCR]

Unhand her, Dan Backslide!

Unhand her, Dan Backslide!

Unhand her, Dan Backslide!

Hey, we're gettin' in a rut.

[WatanukiProductions]

This is probably my all time favorite of the "Merrie Melodies". The humor is so quick and so subtle but drawn and written so clearly that even as a child I appreciated it as a cut above most classic cartoons. I still cackle like a mad man when the damsel in distress beats the ever loving shit out of Dan Backslide whilst desperately crying for help.

[PJRandallChevik]

CONFOUND THOSE DOVER BOYS!!!!

[MrTurpasauna]

"A gay outing at the park has been planned by the merry trio"

[Killhu1]

i love the way he moved his eyebrows at 4:51 its halarious !!!!

[rawrmemaul]

WTF no PETALS AT 2:25!!

[eliteguy94]

-mfw I'm only here because ponies

Heh, that was cool.

[mightyshockwave]

"I HATE DICK!"

...

[lordkremlore]

I love how Chuck Jones exaggerated the melodramatic tone in his cartoons, and suddenly would create it to be absolutely bonkers. He was one of the best of Termite Terrace.

[LibertyPrimeINC]

Brilliant Genius

[Jamick98Geass]

A runabout.....I'll STEAL IT! NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!

[Jamick98Geass]

5:36 You would be surprised the amount of times I would need help doing that.

[MarioZoneAlt69]

At 6:32 She actually says "Help! Dick!"

[cccartoons]

@MarioZoneAlt69 Thanks. I fixed it.

[Marrino460]

whos the one that disliket? NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!

[TheMantyke]

I HATE DICK

[dAMMDb]

WTF is wrong with Dora? I eman she could unlokc the fuckign door from the inside...

[magmos]

@dAMMDb Thank you, for missing the joke.

[GotAJarOfDirt23]

"Quote HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL­LLLLPPPPPPPPPPP end quote"

[ShadowSoldior]

Unhand her, Dan Backslide!

[IJustWatchEm71]

Pause it at 7:30, just as Tom comes zooming past.

My God...It's Beavis' dad! Heh heh, mmm, heh heh...

[KatlikeRider]

Woah woah woah, wait a tic....

She was the fiance of ALL THREE of them?

I'm surprised no one saw her going out with a seaman coming (heh)

[LandSharkProductions]

Wait, how is the bike moving if Dick isn't pedaling it?

[ShadowSoldior]

@LandSharkProductions The power of Dick is immense (Hurr).

[chstens]

Uh... What just happened?

[piegavin]

2:30 FUCK THE POLICE

[sexhaie]

CONFOUND THEM DOVER PONIES, THEY DRIVE ME TO DRINK

[sexhaie]

anyone wanna fill me in on the jewish looking gentleman and why everyone freezes whenever he walks by?

[InnerVenom123]

She has serious commitment to hide and seek.

[jaydedjen110]

THEY DRIVE ME TO DRINK!

[LandSharkProductions]

That random old guy who keeps popping up WILL HAUNT MY NIGHTMARES FOREVER.

[StormriderShift]

a GAY outing at the park has been planned

[ECRGames]

@StormriderShift

In older meanings the term gay can also mean happy...

[StormriderShift]

@ECRGames I know, I'm just pointing out that it sounds funny in modern day context

[IndyX]

Note to all; never kidnap a lass who can GOD-GRIP a tree.

[penguindig5]

a runabout I'L STEAL IT NOONE WILL EVER KNOW

[GSParasite]

how did i know the oddball sailor man would get the girl

[ChibiHoboProductions]

And to think, I thought BoBoBo was zany.

[Alkiller]

A runabout?! I'LL STEALL IT!!!! NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!!!

[agile52]

Confound those Dover Boys.

[krissthebliss]

that guy was trollin!

[TuhRoll]

@krissthebliss

Lol you're hilarious, how do you even come up with things like that xD

[Raymiles2]

Thank god those simpering tossers didn't get the girl