Porky's Movie Mystery is a 1939 theatrical Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Bob Clampett and starring Porky Pig as Mr. Motto, a parody of Mr. Moto. Originally drawn in black and white, it was colorized in 1967.
For weeks, Hollywood has been terrorized by a black clad phantom who has been ruining pictures and frightening stars. As the police struggle to find the mysterious phantom, the audience learns that he's actually the Invisible Man, who, angry over being dropped after starring in a single picture, intends to make sure Hollywood never makes another film. Unable to catch him, the police call upon Mr. Motto, who is vacationing on a tiny island. Upon learning of the situation, Mr. Motto flies back home and begins his search for the phantom. When the invisible phantom learns that Motto's after him, he uses his invisibility to ambush him, with Motto's mastery of Ju Jitsu the only thing that can save him. Even after he's subdued, however, the true identity of the invisible man in still surprising.
Tropes appearing in this cartoon:
- Added Alliterative Appeal: When describing his rampage, the Invisible Man declares he'll "crack every camera, wreck every reel, smash every set, and scare every star out of Hollywood!".
- Big Shadow, Little Creature: In the scene where a nervous Frankenstein's Monster is being grilled by the police, the shadow of the interrogating officer looms large, but then the camera pans over to a shrimpy little man standing on a stool.
- Busman's Holiday: Even though he's on vacation, Mr. Motto is called back home to catch the phantom.
- Evil Laugh: The phantom has a pretty spooky one.
- Evil Wears Black: The phantom wears a black garb, complete with a black hat.
- "Far Side" Island: Where Mr. Motto is spending his vacation.
- Frankenstein's Monster: Is being interrogated at the police station.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Thanks to his invisibility, the Invisible Man is able to hideout in his old dressing room with no one being the wiser.
- If I Can't Have You…: Angry that he was dropped after starring in one picture, the Invisible Man decides that Hollywood will never make another film.
- Invisible Stomach, Visible Food: After revealing himself, the Invisible Man eats an apple. Thanks to Cartoon Physics, the chewed-up apple reassembles itself in his stomach, where it remains for the rest of the scene.
- Nobody Here but Us Statues: To hide from Mr. Motto, the invisible man removes his his black cloak and stands in front of a poster.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed:
- The news of the Hollywood Phantom are being reported by Walter Windshield, a parody of gossip columnist Walter Winchell.
- When Mr. Motto hits the Invisible Man with a visibility formula, he's revealed to be a caricature of comedian Hugh Herbert.
- Rapid-Fire Nail Biting: Frankenstein's Monster nervously bites his fingernails like a typewriter while being interrogated.
