Rocket Racket (1962)
A hungry alligator, a gullible woodpecker, and a rocket that spells trouble in this classic 1962 animated short.
Rocket Racket - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Jack Hannah
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation
- Runtime: 6m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 23, 1962 (United States)
- Production Companies: Walter Lantz Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Rocket Racket - Plot
Gabby Gator lives in the Okeedokee Swamp. Wally's watching one of those "cook" shows on TV about how to prepare a bird for dinner. Gabby's starving so bad that he licks the TV screen, but that doesn't help. He sends a telegram to Woody: his country needs him. Woody needs to try out the new "Atlas (But Not Least) Space Rocket." Woody arrives, suitcase in hand, ready for anything- except being an alligator's dinner...
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Rocket Racket - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jack Hannah
Main Cast
- Daws Butler
- Grace Stafford
Writers
- Tedd Pierce
- Bill Danch
Producers
- Walter Lantz
Rocket Racket - FAQs
What is Rocket Racket about?
Rocket Racket follows the hungry Gabby Gator, who hatches a devious plan to make Woody Woodpecker his next meal. He lures Woody to the Okeedokee Swamp under the pretense of testing a new space rocket. Woody arrives eager and unsuspecting, not realizing he's on the menu rather than a mission.
Is Rocket Racket a Woody Woodpecker cartoon?
Yes! Rocket Racket is a classic Woody Woodpecker animated short produced by Walter Lantz Productions. It features the iconic peckerwood alongside recurring antagonist Gabby Gator, and was directed by Jack Hannah, a veteran of the Woody Woodpecker series known for his sharp comic timing.
How does Gabby Gator trick Woody in this short?
Gabby Gator, desperate with hunger after watching a cooking show on TV, sends Woody a fake telegram claiming his country needs him to test the new Atlas space rocket. Woody shows up suitcase in hand, completely oblivious that the real plan is to serve him as dinner rather than launch him into orbit.
Who voiced the characters in Rocket Racket?
Daws Butler brought Gabby Gator to life with his signature Southern drawl, while Grace Stafford voiced Woody Woodpecker. Stafford was the real-life wife of creator Walter Lantz and served as Woody's voice actress for decades, giving the character his unmistakable energetic personality.
Who directed Rocket Racket?
Jack Hannah directed Rocket Racket. Hannah was a prolific animation director who worked extensively with Walter Lantz Productions on the Woody Woodpecker series. He had previously directed cartoons at Disney before joining Lantz, bringing a polished comedic sensibility to the shorts.
When was Rocket Racket released?
Rocket Racket hit theaters on April 23, 1962, in the United States. It was part of the long-running Woody Woodpecker theatrical short series produced by Walter Lantz Productions, which delighted audiences for decades with its slapstick humor and colorful animation.
Who produced Rocket Racket?
Walter Lantz produced Rocket Racket through his studio, Walter Lantz Productions. Lantz was the creative force behind Woody Woodpecker and one of animation's most enduring figures. He received an Honorary Academy Award in 1979 for his contributions to the art of animation.
What are similar cartoons to Rocket Racket?
If you enjoy Rocket Racket's classic cartoon humor, you'll likely love The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (1981), Dexter's Laboratory (1995), and Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur (2011). For newer animated fun, check out The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021) and Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp (2024).
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