Mr. Hook


Mr. Hook is the title character of a series of predominantly black-and-white American animated cartoon shorts produced between 1943 and 1945 during World War II for the US Navy. The series ran for 4 shorts and was mainly produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons with the first by Walter Lantz Productions, being produced in full color. The character was designed by Hank Ketcham. Unlike the earlier Private Snafu series, which was created as an instructional film series, Mr. Hook was created exclusively as propaganda to encourage Navy personnel to purchase war bonds.

Films

Take Heed Mr. Tojo

Directed by James Culhane and the only Hook cartoon by Walter Lantz Productions, Take Heed Mr. Tojo takes place in 1953, and we see Mr. Hook talking to his son about his time in the navy, and how War bonds saved him from Japanese airplanes. Hook was voiced by George O'Hanlon, and it was the only time he voiced him for the series.

The Return of Mr. Hook

As the first short directed by Robert McKimson, we see Hook once again in his navy years, and he discusses to his Navy friends to what he'll do if he saved war bonds For his trip back home, such as new clothes, a home and a wedding for his marriage. From this point foreword, Mr. Hook is voice by Arthur Lake.

Tokyo Woes

Directed by Bob Clampett, the short parodies the Tokyo Rose radio broadcast in Japan, and it shows Mr. Hook shooting a giant bullet to Japan after Tokyo Rose criticized the usefulness of war bonds. The anthropomorphic war bond from the bullet later returns to Mr. Hook after the war to pay him for his bonds.

The Good Egg

Directed by Chuck Jones, Mr. Hook is woken up while a little angel and devil of himself argue whether he should spend or save his war bonds before he returns home. The angel soon won the argument and tells Hook to save his bonds until he climbs back into cities.