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What Price Porky

Name: What Price Porky
Director: Robert Clampett
Released: 1938
Duration: 7 min

Representation Score

0.5/10

Minimal

1938

Approved

Director

Robert Clampett

Runtime

7 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This 1938 short is a kinetic example of Golden Age animation, prioritizing slapstick violence and rhythmic gags over character depth. The narrative centers on a territorial war between chickens and ducks over corn, using manic pacing to drive the conflict. While the film excels as a comedic vehicle for Robert Clampett's signature irreverent style, it lacks engagement with diverse identities. Characters function as combat archetypes rather than individuals with social identities. Ultimately, the film remains a closed loop of resource competition. It does not challenge social hierarchies or provide representation for diverse human experiences.

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Category Breakdown

Does What Price Porky have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film features anthropomorphic animal combat exclusively. There are no depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does What Price Porky portray gender?

Limited

The characters are animals, so there is no exploration of gender roles or masculinity/femininity. Power dynamics are based on species rather than gender.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What Price Porky?

Minimal

The setting is a homogeneous rural farm. The characters lack racial or ethnic diversity, focusing instead on a unified group of animals.

How does What Price Porky represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story uses standard slapstick clichés centered on resource competition. It does not address systemic critiques of religion, capitalism, or Western institutions.

Does What Price Porky include disability representation?

Minimal

No characters are shown with visible or invisible disabilities. Physical comedy relies on cartoon physics rather than the lived experiences of disabled individuals.

Present on Screen

High-energy slapstick combat and rhythmic gag construction.
Effective use of manic pacing and cartoon physics.

Limited or Absent

Lack of complex character development or social commentary.
Absence of diverse representation or identities.

Official Synopsis

Porky tries to feed his chickens, but some ducks steal the corn he puts out, then declare war. The battle rages, with the ducks against the chickens, sometimes in wing-to-wing combat, but also aerial attacks, and Porky finally turning the tide with his machine gun improvised from a wringer washer and a bag of corn. But the ducks still get the last laugh.

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