What’s Up Doc? (1950)
Directed by Bob McKimson
Written by William Foster
Animation by JC Melendez
Music by Carl Stalling
And so it was: the birth of “What’s up, Doc?”
At least that’s how Bugs Bunny sees it. Although we know better, the big star known as Bugs prefers to think of it as a fluke that turned in to a successful shtick for a young Bugs Bunny. “What’s up, Doc?” is a pretty important short in the Bugs Bunny library even though pretty much all of his are just self contained stories with loose continuity. For example, the set up here is similar to “A Hare Grows in Manhattan” where Bugs even tells a different story of how he grew up and became a performer. Like Vaudeville, they all work within the confines of their frame work, and they’re just there as a reason to tell jokes and deliver some great gags.
But “What’s up Doc?” does have a good time trying to lend some reasoning to not only Bugs Bunny’s whole personality, but also tries to define his relationship with Elmer Fudd–voiced yet again by Arthur Q. Bryan. As explained in “What’s Up, Doc?” we learn that Bugs was once an up and comer who struggled to make it on stage, constantly performing in opening an opening chorus that sets the stage for the show. This is a recurring gag that shockingly never gets old. The writers decide to use it at least four times and it’s hysterical every time. For every show, Bugs pops up with other chorus singers belting “Oh we’re the boys of the chorus/We hope you like our show/We know you’re rooting for us/but now we have to go!”
Again, it’s repeated a few times ad hilarity before Bugs decides he’s had enough and quits the game. That is until he’s discovered by the famous comedian Elmer Fudd in a park. This is the set up for yet another hilarious gag as the writers perfectly lampoon the likes of Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, and Bing Crosby. Voiced brilliantly by Dave Barry and Richard Bickenbach, not only is the set up hysterical, but the way Fudd brushes past them dismissively is downright brilliant. Fudd eventually draws interest in Bugs begging him to be in his act, and this is the set up for another great repetitive gag. Except this gag sets the stage for the initial conflict.
Bugs becomes the butt of Fudd’s act which involves him coming on stage, telling a joke and hitting him with a pie. Eventually Bugs becomes tired of the act, and retaliates prompting revenge from Elmer who chases Bugs around with his rifle eliciting the classic “What’s Up, Doc?” which becomes an instant hit with the crowds.
Eventually Bugs breaks in to the song “What’s Up, Doc?” a song that I almost always sing along to whenever Bugs breaks in to the song and dance!
“E h h h h h . . .
What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’?
What’s up, Doc? Are you’re lookin’
For Bugs Bunny bunting…
Elmer’s gone a-hunting
Just to get a rabbit skin…
But now the rabbit’s gone again!
What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’?
Hey!…Look out!…Stop!
You’re gonna hurt someone
With that old shot-gun!
E h h h h . . . What’s up, Doc?”
Yes, “What’s Up, Doc!” has an origin as well as actual lyrics. I must have spent so many years singing along with Bugs and Elmer whenever they eventually got to this point of “Stage Door Cartoon” and it’s a neat addition. Not only does it lend a lot more substance to Bugs simple catchphrase, but it’s a great summary of Bugs and Elmer’s whole relationship and rivalry. Bugs has always been so much more than his catchphrases, and his song “What’s Up, Doc?” cements that idea. Bugs never really sang it again in full, but “What’s Up Doc?” is an interesting milestone in the series of shorts as the song is an interesting summary of Bugs the feels like it’s channeling Broadway.
Mainly though it hearkens to its Vaudevillian roots. “What’s Up, Doc?” is something different. It’s hysterical, it is quotable, and a very interesting turning point with the whole dynamic between Bugs and Elmer.
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