The Draft Horse


The Draft Horse is a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. The short was released on May 9, 1942.
The title is a pun on draft horse and the draft.

Plot

A farm horse sees a poster that says the U.S. Army needs horses. The horse goes to the recruiting station and tries to volunteer, but is eventually rejected, labeled "44-F". Leaving the station dejected, he wanders into a wargames situation, and the flying bullets frighten him so much he makes a dash for home. At the end, he is serving the war effort in another way, knitting "V for Victory campaign and the victory-freedom sign|V for Victory]" sweaters for the boys overseas.

Music cues

The short uses multiple music cues for several scenes. This includes:
  • "We Did It Before " - Played during the opening credits and at the end. Also played when the sergeant looks down the horse's throat
  • "Here [We Go Round the Mulberry Bush]" - Sung by Horse as "This Is the Way We Plow the Field".
  • "Light Cavalry Overture" - Played when the horse sees the army billboard.
  • "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean" - Played when the horse kisses the farmer goodbye.
  • "William Tell Overture" - Played when the horse runs off to enlist. Also played during the sham battle. Also played when the horse races home.
  • "Battle Music No. 9" - Played when the horse play-acts battle scenes in the recruiting office. Played again when the horse play-acts battle scenes a second time.
  • "Taps" - Hummed by the horse, causing the sergeant to cry.
  • "It Had to Be You" - Played when the horse performs the striptease.
  • "The Old Grey Mare" - Played when the horse removes his harness and gets brushed.
  • "You're in [the Army Now (song)|You're in the Army Now]" - Played during the eye test.