Dixieland Droppy is a 1954 Tex Avery MGM Cartoon starring Droopy.
A mysterious narrator tells the story of a dog named John Earl Pettybone (Droopy) and how he realized his dream of leading a Dixieland band in the Hollywood Bowl. Initially living in a shack in a junkyard, John ends up getting kicked out when the dump manager becomes irritated by his Dixieland music. Having nothing left but his Dixieland record, John traveled around town, trying to find a place to play his music: a malt shop, an organ grinder's gurney, an ice cream truck, and even a carousel, but each attempt results in him getting tossed out. When his record is eventually broken, John's Dixieland aspirations seemed to have come to an end, until he stumbles upon a flea circus featuring an all-flea Dixieland band, led by trumpet player Pee-Wee Runt. Realizing that fleas and dogs could make great music together, John swipes the fleas, only to end up being pursued by the flea circus owner. In the ensuing chase, he finds himself in a talent agent's office who is shocked to discover a dog that can produce Dixieland music without a band. His dream of going to the Hollywood Bowl achieved, John and his band of fleas awe audiences with John's mysterious music, with the narrator saying that Pee-Wee Runt would never reveal the secret, and he should know, for he is Pee-Wee Runt.
Tropes:
- Can't You Read the Sign?: While running from the flea circus owner, Pettybone ducks into a talent agent's office, which had a "No Dog Acts" sign hanging on the door, prompting the agent to ask if he could read before giving him till three to scram. He changes his mind upon seeing Pettybone seemingly playing Dixieland music without a band.
- Counting to Three: The circus owner, cornering Pettybone at one point, told him he had till three to hand over the fleas, with the owner saying "A-one, A-two", which ends up signaling the fleas to start playing. Later on, the talent agent said Pettybone had till three to Get Out! of his office, with him triggering the fleas in the same way.
- Flea Episode: Droopy, as Pettybone, picks up a flea Dixieland band from a flea circus. The fleas don't seem to be harming him, though.
- Letting the Air out of the Band: As Pettybone crosses over freshly paved tar, his pace slows down, as does the music from the flea Dixieland band.
- Mid-Battle Tea Break: Two instances.
- During the chase, John runs past a hospital and has to keep quiet, so he tip-toes as the flea band stops playing. Once they're out of the hospital zone, the chase and the music resume.
- After crossing over tar, Pettybone is too tired and needs to rest. He tells the band to "take five"; the fleas jump out and smoke some nearby discarded cigarettes while chatting before getting back to play as the chase resumes.
- Narrator All Along: The narrator closes that nobody ever solved the mystery of John Pettybone's Dixieland music, and nobody ever would, cause Peewee Runt was the only one who knew the secret and he would never tell.Narrator: For you see, he, that flea, Peewee...is me! See?
- No Animals Allowed: With good reason, dogs aren't allowed in the flea circus. It doesn't stop John though.Circus Owner: Hey, you! Come back here with my fleas!
- Organ Grinder: One of the places Pettybone tries to practice his conducting. The monkey starts dancing when the Dixieland music plays; then, he's the one who returns the record to Pettybone.
- Vinyl Shatters: Every time Pettybone gets kicked out, he manages to catch his record. The last time, he manages to catch it, only for him to then trip up and drop the record, which shatters to pieces.
