Tumble Weed Greed
Tumble Weed Greed is a Woody Woodpecker cartoon that was released in theaters on June 1, 1969.[1] It is notable for being the first appearance of Buzz Buzzard in a cartoon since 1955 Bunco Busters. He also would appear in the following cartoon.
| Tumble Weed Greed | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul J. Smith |
| Produced by | Walter Lantz |
| Story by | Homer Brightman |
| Starring | Grace Stafford Dal McKennon |
| Music by | Walter Greene |
| Animation by | Al Coe Les Kline |
| Color process | Technicolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal International |
Release date | June 1, 1969 |
Running time | 6 minutes |
| Language | English |
In addition to Grace Stafford, who provides Woody's voice, Dal McKennon provided Buzz's voice.
Summary
Buzz Buzzard's Benny's Beanery is not in the greatest situation, as there are no customers. Buzz then watches TV to see a contest, whose contestant is Woody Woodpecker. Woody is given the prize-winning question, to say who built the Ark. Woody doesn't know the answer and says No, but the host misinterprets as he says Noah and gives him the prize, which is a new car, a trip to West and one-thousand dollars. Once Buzz hears this, he builds a plan.
Next scene, we see Woody driving his new car in the forest-desert transition. Buzz pokes out of a stone, and puts his plan into action, posing as a hitchhiker, and Woody allows him to ride. Buzz asks Woody for a cigarette, but since Woody doesn't smoke, he doesn't have one. Buzz innocently whistles and starts beating the car, pretending it's a tire with a hole. He advises Woody to stop and take a look, but as Woody does that, Buzz drives off, with Woody running after him.
Now at the desert, Woody disguises himself as a lady, who successfully foils Buzz. The buzzard offers her a ride, but he is left behind, as Woody laughs at him. Next scene, Buzz's plan involves him doing a fake fall, and Woody passes straight ahead of him. Woody notices him and goes back and forth, hitting Buzz a few times. Woody finally offers the buzzard a ride, but before he could sit, Woody runs the car at high speed and into the horizon.
Buzz's next plan involves using a switch-controlled plaque to stop Woody. Once the woodpecker stops, Buzz Buzzard demands Woody's cash. Just then, a train whistle is heard, and Buzz is hit by a train. Buzz is also run over by Woody's car. The buzzard's next plan has him dig a big hole and place in the road a sign that reads STOP HOLE IN ROAD. Hearing the woodpecker coming, Buzz jumps in the hole. Woody sees the advice and not believing it, Woody covers the hole (with Buzz Buzzard inside) and continues his trip.
The buzzard's next plan has an electric beam, which will activate a spring with a glove box, knocking down the woodpecker. As Woody comes, Buzz activates the trap, and hides himself to see his plan executed. However, Woody goes through with no problem, as the trap apparently failed to work. Buzz goes to check this in person, only to be a victim of his own execution.
Next, in an old shack, Buzz Buzzard puts a sign that says FREE BOX LUNCH. Woody passes by, but quickly goes back once he see the sign (as he was hungry at the time), and enters the place. He is received by a man with glasses and a big orange beard (actually Buzz Buzzard disguised). The man gives Woody the free box lunch. Buzz takes off his disguise and hides in Woody's car. Meanwhile, in the house, Woody found only a lollipop with a flag in the box. Woody didn't like this and goes away in his car. He then tells the audience that he has the feeling of being followed. Just then, Buzz pops out from the car's back and threatens to shoot Woody if he doesn't hand over the money. As Buzz Buzzard counts – one, two three, the woodpecker then sees that his car has a Seat Ejector and activates it, sending Buzz into the sky in the last minute. Once there, he's hit by an airplane and dragged away. Woody ends this short with his laugh and drives away toward the horizon.
References
- Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 157–158. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7.