''Beep Prepared'' is a 1961

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...

Merrie Melodies ''Merrie Melodies'' is an American animated comedy short film series distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was part of the ''Looney Tunes'' franchise and featured many of the same characters. Originally running from August 2, 1931, to Septem ...

'' American theatrical cartoon short directed by

Chuck Jones Charles Martin Jones (September 21, 1912 – February 22, 2002) was an American animator, painter, voice actor and filmmaker, best known for his work with Warner Bros. Cartoons on the ''Looney Tunes'' and ''Merrie Melodies'' series of shorts. He ...

and designer

Maurice Noble Maurice James Noble (May 1, 1911 – May 18, 2001) was an American animation production designer, background artist and layout designer whose contributions to the industry spanned more than 60 years. He was a long-time associate and right-hand ma ...

. The short was released on November 11, 1961, and stars

Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner are a duo of cartoon characters from the ''Looney Tunes'' and ''Merrie Melodies'' series of animated cartoons, first appearing in 1949 in the theatrical short '' Fast and Furry-ous''. In each film, the cunning, d ...

. The title is a play on the

Boy Scouts of America Scouting America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest List of youth organizations, youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth, including nearly 200,000 female participants. Founded as the Boy Sco ...

motto " Be Prepared".

Plot

In the pursuit of the elusive Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote encounters a series of mishaps and failed attempts to capture his swift quarry. Following a momentary suspension in mid-air, Wile E. plummets to the canyon floor and the cartoon's titles are displayed on the dust cloud raised by his impact. Undeterred by this setback, Wile E. endeavors to ensnare the Road Runner by deploying a trip mechanism using his own leg, only to suffer the consequence of one foot being flattened by a passing delivery truck. Employing higher ground and a bow and arrow, he aims to immobilize the bird, yet inadvertently inflicts injury upon himself when the bow recoils. Further endeavors involve futile attempts to ensnare the Road Runner within a manhole, which the bird effortlessly circumvents using a portable hole, leading to Wile E.'s descent to a riverbank below. Subsequent efforts include the utilization of a malfunctioning rocket-powered flying suit, an ill-fated box of

ACME Acme is Ancient Greek (ἀκμή; English transliteration: ''akmē'') for "the peak", "zenith" or "prime". It may refer to: Arts, entertainment and games * ''Acme'' (album), an album by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion * Acme and Septimius, a fic ...

Iron Bird Seed, and a misguided utilization of magnetism, which culminates in a collision with an oncoming train. Additional endeavors, such as a spring-loaded pavement block and a pair of malfunctioning machine guns, yield similar outcomes of misfortune and injury for Wile E. Concluding his pursuit with an ACME Rocket-Sled Kit, Wile E. is propelled into the cosmos prematurely, resulting in an explosive demise as he transforms into a Sagittarius-style constellation.

Awards

''Beep Prepared'' was nominated for an

Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film The Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film is an award given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) as part of the annual Academy Awards, or Oscars, since the 5th Academy Awards (with different names), covering the year ...

, the only Coyote/Road Runner installment to achieve this recognition.

Crew

*Co-Director and Layouts:

*Story by John Dunn,

*Animation: Bob Bransford, Tom Ray,

Ken Harris Karyl Ross "Ken" Harris (July 31, 1898 – March 24, 1982) was an American animator best known for his work at Warner Bros. Cartoons under the supervision of director Chuck Jones. Life and career Ken Harris was born in Tulare County, Califor ...

, Richard Thompson *Backgrounds: Philip DeGuard *Effects Animation: Harry Love *Film Editor: Treg Brown *Music:

Milt Franklyn Milton J. Franklyn (born Milton Julius Frumkin; September 16, 1897 – April 24, 1962) was an American musical composer and arranger who worked on the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated cartoons, working alongside and later succeeding Carl Sta ...

*Produced by David H. DePatie *Directed by

References

External links

* {{Chuck Jones Merrie Melodies short films Warner Bros. Cartoons animated short films Short films directed by Chuck Jones Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner films Films scored by Milt Franklyn Films directed by Maurice Noble 1960s Warner Bros. animated short films American animated short films Films with screenplays by John Dunn (animator) Films produced by David H. DePatie 1961 animated short films Films with screenplays by Chuck Jones