The Wabbit Who Came to Supper

In this Friz Freeling directed cartoon short, Elmer stops trying to hunt for Bugs in the forest with his dogs after receiving a telegram telling that his Uncle Louie will give him three million dollars if Elmer stops harming animals-especially "wabbits". Well, when Bugs hears of this, you know he'll annoy the "fat boy" constantly! (Mr. Fudd was drawn on the heavyset side during this period)...If you love to see Bugs at his most obnoxious, this is the cartoon for you! Many gags are probably familiar to you if you've seen a ton of Warner Bros. cartoons. There's one scene when Bugs gets thrown out and he does a hysterical routine that has him breaking the fourth wall and saying, "This could get me the Academy Award!" On that note, I highly recommend The Wabbit Who Came to Supper.

It's still odd for me to watch these old Bugs Bunny cartoons and see an elongated Bugs and a huge Elmer Fudd. Nonetheless, that's what we get here as Elmer is racing through the forest with a shotgun after Bugs. By the way - what kind of hunting outfit is that: a bowler hat, reddish-pink shirt and green tie???!

Just as Bugs is about to get it, a telegram boy on a scooter arrives with a telegram for Elmer, stating that Uncle Louie is giving him three million dollars! But there is a "P.S." that says "You don't get one cent if hurt any animals, especially rabbits."

You just know Bugs, who is reading this over Elmer's shoulder, is going to make life miserable for him (at least in the next six minutes of this eight-minute cartoon). The rabbit wastes no time, either. By the time Elmer races home, the "wascally wabbit" is already in his shower! r Bugs knows a good thing when he sees it - blackmail, to get food and other goodies (or "I'll call Uncle Louie").

I almost felt sorry for the poor sap Fudd as Bugs puts on his "Academy Award" dramatic performance but, in the end, both guys wind up losers as the cartoon writers used the familiar "taxes" bit on the inheritance.

Overall, the humor was too dated and not really ready-for-prime time stuff (the 1950s) but the restoration job on this Golden Collection disc was tremendous. That artwork made Elmer's house look pretty impressive. He might have been a dumb dodo but he had nice- looking furnished house.

An 8? Come on. This one deserves a ten. Friz Freleng did a wonderful job. Elmer inherits $1,000,000 from his uncle, but he doesn't get the money if he harms Bugs who makes this concept just about impossible. Classic scene when Bugs is outside Elmer's door pretending to freeze to death? Bugs: You know, this scene ought to get me the academy award.

There is a slight psychedelic look to The Wabbit Who Came to Supper.

Elmer Fudd has to quit hunting for Bugs Bunny when he receives a telegram from his rich uncle Louie.

Uncle Louie will leave three million dollars to Elmer but he cannot harm an animal, especially rabbits.

Of course Bugs Bunny will take advantage gf the situation. He follows Elmer home and constantly riles Elmer Fudd.

It really is a case of how desperate is Elmer for the inheritance.

There is some frenetic animation. Elmer looks odd with his reddish shirt.

"The Wabbit Who Came to Supper" gives one the idea of milking a situation to the nth degree. When Elmer Fudd - looking like a walking heart attack (they were making him fat at this time so as to resemble his voice artist Arthur Q. Bryan) - receives a letter telling him that he'll inherit $3 million as long as he doesn't harm any animals, especially rabbits, Bugs Bunny (who overheard Elmer reading the telegram) promptly invades Elmer's house and does everything possible to annoy Elmer. How I would love to try that! It just goes to show why these cartoons were so great: they were never afraid to pull any wacky gag that they could think of. And this one has some great gags! So check it out. You're sure to love it.

And remember: don't go down there; it's dark!