Robert McKimson, Big Top Bunny, USA 1951
And we end, not only June Bugs 2022 but also the last Bug Bunny short of 1951.
Bugs gets a job at the circus, which doesn't sit with the show's current star Bruno the Slobokian Acrobatic Bear. Things escalate from there.
Okay, but Bruno is kinda of bland as a foil but Bugs holds his own.
I. Freleng, Ballot Box Bunny, USA 1951
Nearing the end of this month and we see another Yosemite Sam short. Sam is running for mayor, which doesn't bother Bugs. What does bother him is Sam's promise to rid the country of all rabbits. Bugs decides to throw his hat into the ring.
Good use of 3 and Bugs and Sam's campaign shenanigans wonderfully play out to a dark horse victory; even if the final gag is usually cut from most broadcasts.
I. Freleng, His Hare-Raising Tale, USA 1951
Another first, this time Bugs hosts his first clip show. We also met Bugs' nephew Clyde (unnamed here though).
The first segment is Baseball Bugs (1946) in which Bugs recalls his stint in the major leagues, which segues into his turn in Vaudeville in Stage Door Cartoon (1944). There was more money in boxing, however, and that brings us to Rabbit Punch (1948).
Bugs also talks about his time as a test pilot in Falling Hare (1943). When his nephew points out that Bugs has done everything but go to the Moon, Bugs corrects him with Haredevil Hare (1948).
Pretty good, and the framing wraparound is fine.
Robert McKimson, French Rarebit, USA 1951
Somewhat of a letdown when compared to the previous short, but still good.
Bugs ends up in Paris thanks to napping in the carrot patch. While strolling past all the sights Paris has to offer, Bugs ends up in the sights of chefs Louis and his rival Francois. Both men want Bugs for dinner.
Ok, but like I said, I found it a letdown. Louis and Francois are too similar both in temper and design. The ploys Bugs uses against them are good, with a few wonderful running gags.
Charles M. Jones, Rabbit Fire, USA, 1951
Arguably the best short Jones ever, or at least the best Bugs Bunny short. The first of the Hunters Trilogy and the first real change in Daffy Duck's personality.
Daffy leads Elmer to Bugs and tries to convince the hunter to shoot Bugs as it is clearly rabbit season.
Or is it duck season?
Wonderful and the verbal sparring between Bugs and Daffy is pure gold. Everything clicks on every level. Daffy found new life here too. Originally Daffy was just daffy, a screwball not unlike Bugs himself. Here? Greedy, conniving, and cowardly in equal measure, Daffy became the perfect foil for Bugs.
I. Freleng, The Fair-Haired Hare, USA, 1951
Yosemite Sam gets a slight resdesign, that's neat.
We open with Bugs just enjoying himself in his home, home being a hole in the ground as per custom. His enjoyment and song is interrupted when Yosemite Sam arrives and builds a cabin over Bugs' home. This causes some problems, taking it all the way to the highest court in the land (in a neat sight gag too). The ruling it that both fellows must share the property, and if one of them passes on the other gets the entire estate.
You can see where this is going. Good back and forth between Bugs and Sam, with Sam growing increasingly menacing yet failing to kill Bugs at the same time.
Charles M. Jones, Bunny Hugged, USA 1951
A slight remake of 1948's Rabbit Punch but different enough to be memorable.
The current champion of the world, the Crusher, is taking on challenger Ravishing Ronald, the De-natured Boy. Despite Ronald's best efforts and his good luck charm (Bugs), the Crusher makes mincemeat out of the challenger.
Not wishing to lose his meal ticket, Bugs enters the ring as the Masked Terror. In a straight physical fight, it's a no-contest, but Bugs then decides to use some strategy; including the single most genius way to pin a wrestler I've ever seen.
Seriously, I am shocked that no one has ever tried to pin someone to mat by using actual pins on their clothes.
