Bully for Bugs

Charles M. Jones, Bully for Bugs, USA 1953

If not the best short Jones ever did, certainly one of the best. Supposedly created when producer Eddie Selzer barged into the production offices and loudly declared that bullfighting wasn't funny. Figuring that Eddie hadn't been right yet, Michael Maltese fired off this yarn.

Bugs, in route to the Carrot Festival in Coachella Valley, takes a wrong turn and ends up in the middle of a bullfighting ring. He'd ask the matador, but the fancy dressed fellow split when facing down his opponent, Toro. 

Toro proceeds to mess with Bugs. This doesn't end well for him. 

Wonderful; seriously, if you can only watch one of Jones's shorts this should be considered. 

Hare Trimmed

 Friz Freleng, Hare Trimmed, USA 1953

Now this one is a bit better. The first time Bugs, Sam, and Granny teamed up too. 

Yosemite Sam is in a good mood. Seems local widow (Granny) just inherited a million bucks. He thinks it's a shame such a rich woman should be without companionship so vows to marry that money, er, woman. 

Bugs overhears this and vows to stop him. Scout's honor and all that. 

A classic, and for good reason. Bugs and Sam play off each other perfectly, and even Granny is no slouch.

Southern Fried Rabbit

 Friz Freleng, Southern Fried Rabbit, USA 1953

The first Sam cartoon of the 1953, and yeesh. 

Bugs is having a poor crop of carrots this year, but when reading of a bumper crop in Alabama he decides Dixie is the place he wants to be. Pity he's shot at by Colonel Sam. When reminded that the Civil War ended 90 years ago, Sam snaps back that "he ain't no clock watcher!"

Can Bugs outfit the gray and the bold? Can he do it without resorting to blackface?

Yeah, this one didn't age well. Even by the standards of 1953 this is asking a bit much. 

Upswept Hare

Robert McKimson, Upswept Hare, USA 1953

Much better, and the first Elmer showing of the year. 

 Bugs is napping in his lair when Elmer digs him up by accident. He was looking for a rare desert flower that happened to be growing nearby. Taking back to Elmer's penthouse, Bugs assumes it's a mirage, at last Elmer whips out the double barrel shotgun. 

A decent contrast with the previous episode, with Bugs and Elmer competing in various challenges although Bugs outclasses Elmer in every event. 

Forward March Hare

Charles M. Jones, Forward March Hare, USA 1953

We now enter 1953 and Bugs got his letter from the draft board. 

Well, technically he got B. Bonny but eh, close enough. So, heart filled with pride he saunters down to the induction center. Assigned to basic training, his sergeant quickly becomes the bane of his existence and likewise Bugs torments him equally, with the poor slob losing a stripe every time Bugs fouls up.  

It's...ok? For Jones this honestly feels like a letdown. Bugs is a bit dim. The mayhem he causes is pure accidental, which isn't nearly as funny as deliberate actions. Plus the sarge just doesn't stack up, coming across as more dim than menacing. Seriously, how does he not notice his new recruit is a rabbit? Bugs isn't exactly being subtle. 

Some gags work, but the ending one is just weak, with Bugs being even dumber than Elmer. No mean feat that. 

Hare Lift

 Friz Freleng, Hare Lift USA 1952

And thus we end 1952 with the return of Yosemite Sam.

Bugs is relaxing in his home when someone parks the world's biggest airplane over it. Bugs manages to escape and opts to take the nickel tour. While he sits at the controls, bank robber Sam (who just cleaned out the Last National Bank), mistakes him for a pilot and has him fly away. 

Can Bugs land? Will Sam get away with his ill gotten gain?

Darn good, even if the ending gag was reused from Falling Hare. 

Rabbit's Kin

 Robert McKimson, Rabbit's Kin, USA 1952

And now a new foe, and one that isn't voiced by Mel Blanc!

Yeah, here is the first appearance of Pete Puma. Voiced by Stan Freberg, more as a parody of Frank Fontaine's yokel character. 

Bugs is about and about the woods one day when he runs into Shorty (Mel Blanc again), a fellow rabbit who is in quite the jam. Seems the smaller rabbit is being pursued by the aforementioned Pete. 

Bugs proceeds to wreck Pete's day. 

Pretty darn good but Pete is a bit lacking in the menace of Sam or Elmer. He's dim, but not quite enough to be pitiable. The tea/coffee lumps gag is great though and has a good payoff too.