¿Que Hay De Nuevo, Viejo?

Okay, now, I'm sick of hearing about how Robert McKimson doesn't match up with against the "great" Looney Tunes directors like Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and I've even read in a book written by one of the foremost cartoon critics, Leonard Maltin, that he doesn't even compare well against Art Davis! I'm not going to denigrate those other directors (well, maybe Davis), we come here to praise McKimson. Sure, he's had his stinkers, but so has everyone else mentioned. When anyone says he's not in the the same league as these others, just remember that those four are a few of the greatest names in cartoon history. As evidence for my case I call upon "A Lad in His Lamp", "Hillbilly Hare", "Walky Talky Hawky", "Devil May Hare", "Stupor Duck", and the list of great 'toons goes on. How about the creation of such characters as Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk, Hippety Hopper, Sylvester Jr., Speedy Gonzales, and the Tasmanian Devil, amongst others.

In What's Up Doc? (yes, my little rant is over) we have another of those wonderful devices where a cartoon character tells us about his rise to stardom, and it's never been done better. (Quick Quiz: Name all of the stars in the park). The vaudeville scenes are highlighted by the duo of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd singing "What's Up Doc?". Although I'll admit that the joke at the end is a little tame, overall this is one of those memorable Warner Bros. cartoon from their golden age. Oh, and did I mention that this is directed by Robert McKimson?

The Disassociated Press wants Bugs Bunny's life story. Got a pencil? "First," says Bugs, "I was born." He quickly learns he is different from the other children: he's a "rabbit in a human world." He grows up to accept repetitive chorus boy jobs in such Broadway revues as "Girl of the Golden Vest," "Wearing of the Grin" and "Rosie's Cheeks." His career hits the skids and he's living on a park bench before he's discovered by that great vaudeville star, Elmer Fudd. Their dual comedy act is a hit, which leads to film roles. Will Bugs Bunny ever have to look back?

The director of this picture, Robert McKimson, is rated low among cartoon fans, and I think rightly so. But this film is a delight, especially Bugs's and Elmer's swinging musical number, "What's Up, Doc?" Here is McKimson at his rare best.

Other treats include caricatures of Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby, (and Elmer's crack at their expense); and funny bits from Bugs's and Elmer's comedy act.

This cartoon is included in the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume One," Disc 1.

Before Hollywood biographies centered on drug abuse and such things, "What's Up Doc?" portrayed Bugs Bunny telling his life story from childhood - "I knew I was different, and then it hit me: I was a rabbit in a human world." - up to his career in entertainment. However, it seems like there's a little less in this cartoon than the Looney Tunes cartoons usually showed. But I'd say that it's strength lies in its portrayal of the lack of employment in Hollywood (which I've heard is actually around 95%), and how it forces individuals into self-degrading work. I always get the feeling that whenever the Termite Terrace crowd made cartoons spoofing Tinseltown, they were probably basing the cartoons on their personal experiences. Maybe I can't prove that, but I just get that feeling.

So, it's not the greatest cartoon, but worth seeing. I don't know whether or not you're rooting for me, so now I have to go.

This is a bit different from most Bugs Bunny cartoons: the life story of Bugs, from when he knew he was "a bit different" (the rest of the babies were humans and he was a rabbit) to his beginnings in the world of show business.

However, the latter doesn't pan out. Bugs is down on his luck and moping around on a park bench, when Elmer Fudd passes by and says, "Why are you hanging around with these guys? They'll never amount to anything." (They are Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby!)

Elmer gets him a job back in the theater. The vaudeville show opens in Peoria (where else?). It travels on to Buffalo and then New York City, but Bugs is getting bugged. He's tired of being Elmer's foil and getting pies shoved in his face, etc. He reverses the act and finishes with "What's up, doc?" It's a smash! Offers come in from everywhere and the two head off to Hollywood and Warner Brothers. The rest is history.

There are not a lot of laughs in here: very few, in fact, but it's fairly interesting. This is good for one viewing only, unless you're a big fan or a collector of BB cartoons, then it might be of historical significance.

In this short, Bugs tells the story of his life from the day he was born right up until his discovery in Hollywood and subsequent stardom. It isn't really funny as Bugs doesn't have anyone to work with for most of the cartoon. There are a couple of scenes with Elmer Fudd but he doesn't do or say much. And the running joke with the chorus dancers in the tuxedos wasn't all that amusing. I was also a bit annoyed at the end because not only is it not funny but it isn't true.

I've seen better Bugs cartoons than this. Though I must say the title song is very cool (used in many of 'Rabbit/Duck season' cartoons with Bugs, Daffy and Elmer). It just seems weird using it without having Daffy anywhere in sight.