There’s nothing better than an inventive animated film that makes the most out of simple elements. Director and Writer Shane Dioneda’s animated short “Space Race” isn’t just a great, inspired space adventure, but it really feels like something that would have come out of the age when ATOM Films was a presence on the web (with a dash of Aardman for good measure). I mean that as the utmost compliment.
Tag Archives: Animation
Every Bugs Bunny Ever: All This and Rabbit Stew (1941)
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.
Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.
All This and Rabbit Stew (1941)
Directed by Tex Avery
Written by Dave Monahan
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Virgil Ross
In the list of things that Warner Bros. wants you to forget about Looney Tunes, there’s “All This and Rabbit Stew.” Not only is it Tex Avery’s final short for Warner and Bugs Bunny, but it’s also one of the dreaded “Censored Eleven.”
It’s seventh in a list of animated shorts that have otherwise been banned or pulled from circulation due to sensitive content (racial, political, or otherwise). “All This and Rabbit Stew” has been banned since 1968 mainly for its depiction of black face and African American stereotypes that are just so offensive, that it’s almost impossible to get around. At least with something like “Swing Time” and “Hold that Ghost” you can simply move past it.
But with “All This and Rabbit Stew” it’s the absolute centerpiece.
The End (2023) [CINEJOY 2023]
Well if “The End” doesn’t look like material for a hilarious animated feature, I don’t know what does. “The End” is a hilarious and fun short animated film in the vein of “Looney Tunes” and “Shrek” in which the classic fairy tale is re-invented and de-constructed in to a short that’s teeming with potential for something much bigger. “The End” feels like a proof of concept for a feature length version, but if it isn’t, it works wonderfully as a clever and unique re-imagining of the classic fairy tale.
99¢ Pizza (2022) [CINEJOY 2023]
I don’t know if Director Lucas Ansel was attempting to mimic a dream, if so, he comes damn close to the general feeling of being in one. Created with some striking stop motion animation, “99¢ Pizza” is a bizarre short but sweet thriller that works as some really trippy animated fare.
Every Bugs Bunny Ever: The Heckling Hare (1941)
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.
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.”
The Bootleg Files: The Three Marx Brothers
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.
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Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt (1941)
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.
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.