Outpost (1944 film)

Outpost is an animated short film, directed by Chuck Jones and first released in August, 1944. It is part of the Private Snafu series. As in all the Snafu films, the voice of Private Snafu is performed by Mel Blanc.

Plot
A narrator informs viewers that the United States maintain far-flung military outposts, manned by diligent sentinels. The film then introduces an outpost on a tiny Pacific island, where under its single palm tree lies the local sentinel, Snafu. His only companion is a local bird. Snafu loudly complains about his 249 days on the island, and a message coming over the radio informs him that his 249th request for a transfer has been denied.

Snafu and this bird get to sleep and dream about girls. Their dreams get mixed up and irate Snafu wakes up, threatening to break the bird for insubordination. The dejected bird locates a floating can of food, marked Pickled Fish with Rice". On the bottom it says "Imperial Japanese Navy." Snafu is not interested in the bird's finding, and the bird buries it. When American authorities learn about the can, the bird digs it up and Snafu reports its Japanese markings.

The report of Snafu concerning the can leads to American bombers annihilating a Japanese fleet. The day ends with Snafu and his bird sharing their tiny beach, lamenting his lack of involvement in the war. He is unaware of his own role in the Japanese defeat.

Analysis
This is considered a transitional film in the series, with Snafu successfully able to complete a mission despite his discomfort and being unaware of the importance of the task.