The Return of Mr. Hook (Cartoon, 1945)

The Return of Mr. Hook is a 1945 animated short from the "Mr. Hook" series, produced by Warner Bros. for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Directed by Robert McKimson in his directorial debut, this black-and-white cartoon runs about 4 minutes and features Mr. Hook, a sailor character voiced by Arthur Lake (known for playing Dagwood Bumstead in the "Blondie" films). Designed by Hank Ketcham (later of "Dennis the Menace" fame), Mr. Hook was created to promote war bonds among Navy personnel, distinguishing it from the instructional "Private Snafu" series.
The cartoon follows Seaman Hook, a cheerful, optimistic sailor with big post-war dreams. He fantasizes about rushing home after the war to marry his sweetheart and settle down, all thanks to the money he’s saved by investing in war bonds. The story kicks off with Hook sharing these plans with his fellow sailors, who are initially more interested in gambling away their pay. Hook’s enthusiasm for bonds—depicted with a mix of earnestness and cartoonish exaggeration—leads him to convince his crewmates of their value. In one scene, he imagines the luxuries his bonds will buy: a sharp new suit, a cozy home, and a wedding, complete with a blushing bride. The humor ramps up as his buddies, swayed by his pitch, line up to buy bonds themselves, with a few risqué wartime gags thrown in—like subtle nods to their pent-up desires after months at sea—that were safe for a military audience but edgier than typical civilian cartoons.
Visually, it’s a no-frills affair, shot in black-and-white to cut costs, unlike the Technicolor "Take Heed Mr. Tojo" from 1943. The animation, credited to talents like Cal Dalton and Arthur Davis, is snappy and expressive, with Carl Stalling’s lively score (including a rendition of Irving Berlin’s "Any Bonds Today?") driving the action. The short wraps up with a patriotic nudge: Hook’s success with bonds isn’t just personal gain—it’s a win for the war effort, a message hammered home with broad, playful strokes.
As a U.S. government work, it’s been in the public domain since release, making it a free-to-watch slice of wartime propaganda. It’s less about combat heroics (like "Take Heed Mr. Tojo") and more about financial discipline, delivered with a wink and a grin.