You Don't Know What You're Doin'! 1931

"You Don't Know What You're Doin'!" (1931): A Jazz Age Mishap In the early days of animation, Warner Bros.' Merrie Melodies series was a hotbed of innovation, and "You Don't Know What You're Doin'!" is a prime example of their early experimentation. Released on October 21, 1931, this short film stars the recurring character Piggy, a pig with a penchant for causing trouble.   The plot is simple yet hilarious: Piggy takes his girlfriend Fluffy to a jazz club, where he proceeds to mock the trumpet soloist and then takes the stage himself. Armed with a saxophone, he plays a corny rendition of "Silver Threads Among the Gold," much to the amusement of the audience. Led by a trio of drunken dogs, the crowd heckles Piggy with the titular song, but he remains blissfully unaware of his lack of talent.   One of the drunken dogs, perhaps a prototype of the later Looney Tunes character Goopy Geer, joins Piggy on stage and the two engage in a drunken duet. The chaos escalates as Piggy steals a bottle of bootleg hooch and the two stumble out of the club, causing mayhem wherever they go.   "You Don't Know What You're Doin'!" is a delightful blend of humor, music, and animation. The animation style, while simple by today's standards, is still charming and effective. The jazz score, performed by the Abe Lyman Orchestra, is energetic and perfectly captures the spirit of the Jazz Age. This short film is a testament to the creativity and innovation of early animation. It's a fun and silly watch that will appeal to both children and adults. If you're a fan of classic animation or simply looking for a good laugh, "You Don't Know What You're Doin'!" is definitely worth checking out.