Ensofter Overrated and overhyped

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

JohnHowardReid "Porky Pig" (voiced by Mel Blanc), "Patrick Henry" (voiced by John Litel), "Uncle Sam" (voiced by John Deering).Director: ROBERT McKIMSON. Supervision: CHARLES M. JONES. Screenplay: Dave Monahan, Robert Givens, Richard Hogan. Music director: Carl W. Stalling. Music arranger: Milt Franklyn. Producer: Leon Schlesinger. Color by Technicolor.Copyright 1 July 1939 by The Vitaphone Corp. Merrie Melodies. U.S. release: 1 July 1939. 1 reel. 9 minutes. COMMENT: Although Steve Schneider rates this as one of the best of the Porky Pigs, I'm afraid I would place it in the also-rans. Disregarding all the outdated pep talk from a James M. Flagg of an Uncle Sam, it's still pretty boring, both visually and also on the sound track. The illustrations look like the sort of crudely reverential cartoons you find in early 20th century schoolbooks. Worse still, there is not an ounce of imagination, wit or vitality evident at any stage of this potted history of the land of the free. It proves that even the Warner cartoon people can be far more blandly dull than Terrytoons at their worst when they go all serious.

hcshannonart I remember seeing this cartoon as a child and I have always enjoyed it. Porky is having trouble learning the Pledge of Allegiance, when he's about to give up, Uncle Sam himself shows up and gives him a history lesson. I like the semi-realistic portrayal of Uncle Sam and the historical figures, though it's nothing like later Looney Tunes and/or Chuck Jones' trademark style. Also, I'm surprised most people don't know that the "Under God" line is a later addition! It was always in heavy rotation around the 4th of July on various syndicated Looney Tunes packages, so I and lots of others my age are very familiar with it.

tavm I first saw this Porky Pig educational cartoon short on Buskin Bill's Storyland in the Bicentenial year of 1976. I later saw it after James Cagney's Yankee Doodle Dandy on a Saturday night on that same channel of WAFB-9, Baton Rouge, La. (possibly on the 4th of July). Having recently seen it on YouTube, I must marvel at how bright the colors are compared to the washed-out tones I remember from way back when. Great use of having Uncle Sam telling our stuttering hero about the American Revolution and subsequent events with wonderful realistic animation throughout to make their point. Highly recommended to any child who wonders why history is so important to learn.

Robert Reynolds With the amount of attention being currently given to the Pledge of Allegiance and when (or even whether) it should be said, this cartoon sets forth a very direct and basic value to those words that still holds over 60 years later. Allegiance should (actually I feel that it MUST) be given freely and by choice or its valueless. This cartoon, through effective use of rotoscoping (at least it looks like rotoscoping), is an enlightening look into the value of patriotism and makes some compelling arguments in its favor. Recommended.