House Busters
- Studio
- TerryToon Cartoons
- Distributor
- 20th Century Fox
Synopsis
While trying to tear down an abandoned old house, contractors Heckle & Jeckle's efforts are hampered by an escaped convict (Spike The Dog), who is using the house as a hideout. The boys not only finish their job, they send the crook running back to prison.
Characters
Heckle, Jeckle, Spike The Dog
Credits
Directing
- Director
- Connie Rasinski
Producing
- Producer
- Paul Terry
Voices
- Voice
- Dayton Allen (Heckle, Jeckle), Roy Halee (Heckle, Jeckle)
Production notes
Heckle and Jeckle were two inseparable black magpies, identical in appearance but distinguishably different in personality. Though both were remarkably witty, Heckle spoke with a New York accent, while Jeckle's tone was much more refined. Together, they sought to con free meals and shelter out of the upper class, who in all honesty, presented little difficulty for the clever and mischievous birds.
The first TV appearance of Heckle and Jeckle was on CBS Cartoon Theatre and then thier very own The Heckle And Jeckle Cartoon Show, the very first prime time network animated cartoon series (appearing in 1956, years before The Flintstones). Dick Van Dyke was the host of the show, and he introduced the Heckle and Jeckle segments, along with those of Gandy Goose, by pretending to converse with the animated birds.
In 1979, the magpies appeared in their second show, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle. Once again, the two birds were on the lookout for a free ride, using their immense vocabularies and sharpened street smarts to get the best of people.
The high point of any Heckle and Jeckle cartoon was always the witty banter between the feathered friends. Instead of resorting to violence, the birds bested their foes by outwitting them, and while doing so, indulged in wry commentary that made their adversaries appear even more foolish.
The first TV appearance of Heckle and Jeckle was on CBS Cartoon Theatre and then thier very own The Heckle And Jeckle Cartoon Show, the very first prime time network animated cartoon series (appearing in 1956, years before The Flintstones). Dick Van Dyke was the host of the show, and he introduced the Heckle and Jeckle segments, along with those of Gandy Goose, by pretending to converse with the animated birds.
In 1979, the magpies appeared in their second show, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle. Once again, the two birds were on the lookout for a free ride, using their immense vocabularies and sharpened street smarts to get the best of people.
The high point of any Heckle and Jeckle cartoon was always the witty banter between the feathered friends. Instead of resorting to violence, the birds bested their foes by outwitting them, and while doing so, indulged in wry commentary that made their adversaries appear even more foolish.
Pictures
Reviews
House Busters
"House Busters" is probably the funniest cartoon Heckle & Jeckle ever made. A desperate criminal (a cartoon bulldog) has escaped from prison, and he hides out in an old empty house where nobody will think of looking for him. But Heckle & Jeckle have gone into the demolition business, and they're determined to wreck this same house. (Apparently someone has paid them to do it, though Heckle and Jeckle would probably destroy houses for free.)
Besides being quite funny, "House Busters" features a catchy song by Heckle & Jeckle. It starts out fairly simple — "Give us a house to wreck! We'll tear it down, by heck!" — and develops some excellent lyrics: "We'll pull out the pipes and tear down the walls, we'll chop the chimney till it falls." When the magpies finish singing and start wreaking mayhem, their song becomes a musical theme beneath the rest of the action and gags.
Heckle & Jeckle are in top form here, and this cartoon is definitely recommended even for people who don't usually like Heckle & Jeckle.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this a 10 ... or maybe 10 and a half.