2023 marks the 85th Anniversary of Bug Bunny’s first animated appearance in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” Debuting originally as Happy Rabbit, Bugs eventually became one of the most iconic animated characters of all time. In honor of the landmark anniversary, we’re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We’re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too.
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Wabbit Twouble (1941)
Directed by Wobert Cwampett
Written by Dave Monahan
Music by Cawl W. Stawwing
Animation by Sid Suthewwand
With “Wabbit Twouble” we have what will come to be known as Fat Elmer Fudd. For some reason during the development of Elmer Fudd, his weight fluctuated between the thin hunter we know him as today, and an obese model. The latter overweight Elmer would only appear a three more times before becoming thin again, but it’s interesting to note how much his weight dips and rises between shorts every now and then. Maybe they just thought Bugs fighting an overweight man who looked like Curly from “The Three Stooges” would be funnier than his rhotacism? Apparently his physique was based on voice actor Arthur Q. Bryan’s own physique.
His inexplicable weight gain doesn’t add anything to his character as the short never really makes any direct reference to his weight. The only physical feature that becomes a joke is his distinctive red nose, which Bugs plays as a speed bag while tormenting Elmer. The short begins with the opening credits breaking the fourth wall as the names of the animators and director are comically written in Elmer Fudd’s signature rhotacism. So Robert Clampett is “Wobewt Cwampett,” and Carl Stalling is “Cawl Stawwing.” The aforementioned Clampett would step in to complete what was originally a short started by the now departed Tex Avery, and Clampett does a great job picking up where Avery left off.
“Wabbit Twouble” is kind of a variation on the earlier “Elmer’s Candid Camera,” where Elmer stumbles on to Bugs who takes it upon himself to torment Fudd. However, the shtick is less mean spirited this time around mainly because Bugs has another character to work off of in the form of a wild bear. This time Elmer appears at Jellostone National Park for “west and wewaxation.” He arrives on his old jalopy (to the conga tune) and looks for a chance to “wewax” at a camp ground. That camp ground so happens to be inhabited by Bugs Bunny. Bugs isn’t provoked, but he does find a chance to mess with Elmer, who is simply looking for some sleep.
While the short does start off kind of slow with Bugs’ gags, the comedy does pick up once they introduce a third element in the form of a black bear (also voiced by Blanc) looking to eat Elmer (while he and Bugs are fighting). The introduction of the black bear is a shockingly nice touch as he’s just as funny as Bugs and keeps the comedy moving at a rapid fire pace. Bugs stages a great gag involving glasses fooling Elmer in to thinking it’s night time, there’s the gag involving Elmer unclothing before bed time, and of course there’s the introduction of the bear. Bugs uses the opportunity to mess with Elmer even more as, at one point, he pretends to be the bear pawing at Elmer who is anxiously lying still on the ground.
It’s a funny bit of trickery typical of Bugs who is just hilarious here. True, the short does break the guideline of Bugs being more of a taunter than a protagonist, but the sight gags and fourth wall breaking land and land well. My favorite scene involves Elmer and the bear chasing one another in the woods, ducking behind trees and jumping back and forth between cover to the tune of The William Tell Overture. It’s surprising how at one point Bugs kind of takes a back seat to Elmer battling with the black bear.
It’s interesting that the black bear would never make another actual appearance again after “Wabbit Twouble,” playing more as a rare one and done villain for the Bugs Bunny shorts. As usual Bugs has a way of getting under his foils’ skins and drives Elmer to the point where he’s jailed for destroying Jellostone’s sign in anger (“A wistful wetweat!” Wubbish!”). The pièce de résistance is when Elmer celebrates “West and Wewaxation at Wast” behind bars, only to be greeted by Bugs and the Black Bear, both of whom promise more lunacy for the poor Fudd.
Clampett is one of my all time favorite Looney Tunes masterminds behind Chuck Jones, as he managed to help create some of my favorite shorts from Bugs’ massive library. Clampett would go on to direct a lot more Bugs Bunny shorts, and he does a good job filling the hole that Avery leaves behind for his tenure at MGM. The animation is still rich and the comedy compensates for the lack of motivation for Bugs.
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