Chuck Jones. Prest-o Change-o. USA 1939
Here's a first, the first Chuck Jones directed Bugs Bunny short. Although again the bunny in question is still considered Happy and not Bugs proper, even though the 1950 recolor would give the rabbit a similar gray and white color scheme.
The rabbit, mostly silent save for a laughter still bringing to mind Woody Woodpecker, serves as the antagonist. Two curious dogs, on the run from the dog catcher, find refuge in the house of Sham-Fu the Magician. The rabbit was left over from an act, presumably. He torments the larger dog with tricks (the smaller one is targeted by Sham-Fu's magic wand wielding Indian Rope Trick).
The rabbit here uses magic, even the same scarf trick he used in Porky's Hare Hunt, as opposed to the usual slight of hand. I supposed the biggest change here is the rabbit's defeat.
Yes, the taller dog finally gets tired of the rabbit and beats him stupid. So we see the first time Bugs lost a fight.
Not bad, but the manic borderline bully as a character was wearing thin by this point.
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