Every Bugs Bunny Ever: The Heckling Hare (1941)

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

2023 marks the 85^th 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.

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever

The Heckling Hare (1941)
Directed by Tex Avery
Written by Michael Maltese
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Bob McKimson

So this is it, the penultimate Tex Avery/Warner Bros. animated short, before he’d move over to MGM and continue his iconic animation work. Avery’s animation at MGM is in a league of its own, and he really did bring a lot to the medium. During his time at Warner and Looney Tunes, he also managed to contribute a lot to Bugs Bunny and the Merrie Melodies cartoons in general. He’s easily one of the greatest animators, and this is the apparent production that led him to part ways with Leon Schlesinger after “All This and Rabbit Stew.”

Continue reading →

The Bootleg Files: The Three Marx Brothers

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 823: “The Three Marx Brothers” (segment for a proposed 1961 animated TV series inspired by the Marx Brothers).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: A rights clearance issue has kept this out of circulation for many years.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Maybe as part of a wider animation or Marx Brothers release.

By the end of the 1950s, a few efforts were put forth to reunite the Marx Brothers, who had not worked together as a team since “A Night in Casablanca” in 1946 – the trio were billed together for “Love Happy” in 1949, but that film was mostly centered on Harpo with Chico in a supporting role and Groucho making a few appearances without his brothers during the course of the story.
Continue reading →

Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt (1941)

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.

Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt (1941)
Directed by Friz Freleng
Written by Michael Maltese
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Gil Turner

Again, there’s a golden rule behind the dynamic of Bugs Bunny in that he works so much better when he’s the defender and not the bully. Earlier Bugs shorts pegged him as being something of an antagonist who pushes Elmer Fudd (and a few others) around. Here, Bugs Bunny is relying on his classic trope that would become a trademark of his. In “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt,” he’s merely hanging out, minding his business, and goes on the defensive when troubles comes banging at his door. “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt” delves in to the troublesome territory that would become somewhat recurring in future Bugs Bunny episodes.

Continue reading →

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse (2022)

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

“Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.”

Based on a best selling book by British author and illustrator Charles Mackesy, who co-wrote and co-directed the film version, “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and the Horse” is a beautiful short worthy of a young audience. It was released around the holidays in 2022, and while it does compliment the Christmas aesthetic, it works wonderfully as a genuine fable about empathy and innocence.

Continue reading →

An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It (2022)

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

Director Lachlan Pendragon’s “An Ostrich…” is probably one of the more inventive shorts about creating, the idea of a higher being, and what happens when our creations take on a life of their own. “An Ostrich…” utilizes interesting filmmaking mediums and a collaboration of two art forms to unfold a very self aware and entertaining meta-satire.

Continue reading →

Legion of Super-Heroes (2023) [Blu-ray/Digital]

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

It’s weird that after “Battle of the Super Sons” that DC and Warner would choose to adapt “Legion of Super Heroes” as their new feature. It feels like one of their least consequential animated movies in years. It doesn’t take place during the timeline of the Super Sons, and it rushes through the entire introduction of Supergirl. Plus, there seems to be a whole chunk of story missing as Superman seems to have a boom tube device that can warp in to the future to visit the Legion of Super Heroes. When did he get that? How exactly did he get that? Why did he assume Supergirl would have an easier time in the far future than she would in present Earth?

Continue reading →

Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Tortoise Beats Hare (1941)

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Felix Vasquez

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.

Tortoise Beats Hare (1941)
Directed by Tex Avery
Produced by Leon Schlesinger
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Charles McKimson

In “Tortoise Beats Hare,” Bugs is a bit of a bully once again. Maybe not so much a bully, but he does have a bone to pick which makes him kind of antagonistic. This time he kind of has a reason to be. Here, he’s forced in to taking part of the classic Aesop fable of “The Hare & The Tortoise.” And by the laws of the original short story, he has to lose. This, of course, doesn’t sit well with Bugs Bunny (now donning his white gloves), and he’s hell bent on beating Cecil the Tortoise. This is the first time we meet Cecil, a very unassuming and slow witted tortoise who is so much cleverer than Bugs assumes.

Continue reading →