Un lapin à Manhattan

Bugs Bunny now a big star in LA tells gossip columnist Lola Beverly of his humble beginnings growing up in New York in particular facing a gang of street tough dogs. Of course outwitting these canine ruffians is no problem for young Bugs. This short is fairly humorous if nothing special, Bugs doesn't even have to use his razor sharp wit in this one as the dogs are pretty much on the dumb side. That being said, it was STILL a Bugs cartoon and I find myself entertained by every short of his just because of that (unless the shorts happens to be directed by Robert McKimson). This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 set.

My Grade: B-

To fellow reviewers here: the title is there only because this is a play-on-words of the 1945 classic movie and best-selling book, "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." So, Bugs growing up in Manhattan despite a Brooklyn accent is meaningless....not to be taken literally. It's all about fooling with the title name and nothing more. (Yes, Bugs IS from Brooklyn!)

The story is told in flashback as some Hollywood celebrity magazine interviewer is visiting Bugs' digs and asking about publishing his life story. Bugs quickly dons a robe and sunglasses and plays the "star" to the hilt, and relays his story about growing up in New York City.

Funny "bits" include Baby Bugs popping out of a flower plant holder sucking a carrot with a nipple on the end of it; the "He went that way" sign on electronic ticker-tape-type message board; the elevator zig-zagging up the skyscraper; Bugs doing his Egyptian dance, and finally, the plug for "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" book.

More than the cartoon story, I enjoyed the artwork in here. Many of the Manahattan buildings and streets were beautifully painted. One shot has the Stork Club will the the striped canapé with yellow, red and brown buildings next to it. I froze the frame it looked an Edward Hopper painting - just magnificent artwork.

I have seen one or two episodes of Bugs Bunny where he is interviewed by press about his background history/career and I think this is the first one made. I enjoyed this episode very much so, Bugs Bunny as a young rabbit in Manhattan was a sweet character when dancing and he does a good job of avoiding his pursuers as well as he does in most of his episodes (except here Elmer is not pursuing Bugs in a wood, it is a stray dog pursuing Bugs in New York City). There are quite a few good jokes in this episode, the animation is all right and the idea is one that is clever and original (even if I myself have already seen a few episode on the same premise).

The cartoon opens with a very strange woman interviewer saying that they will meet the Hollywood Star Bugs Bunny. They first encounter him in his burrow (right next to palm trees and a SWIMMING POOL) and he has to dress into clothes that are not pyjamas for the interviewer. He then tells about his young life in Manhattan...

I recommend this episode to people who like Bugs Bunny and to people who like Looney Tunes in general. Enjoy "A Hare Grows in Manhattan"! :-)

The sycophantic newsreel reporter Lola Beverly wants Bugs Bunny's life story. The great Hollywood star tells of his humble beginnings in the tenements of Manhattan. We see poor Bugs terrorized by a gang of canine toughs led by a bullying bulldog who smokes a cigar and wears a derby and a turtleneck sweater. He's subjected to a cruel "dog pile on the rabbit," but our wily Bugs soon turns the tables on these toughs. Bugs subjects his main tormenter to pies in his face; a confusing performance in front of an Egyptian cigarette billboard; a fall from the top of a building; and an embarrassing entanglement in a series of clotheslines. Bugs Bunny finds his real saviors are Betty Smith and a book title calculated to win the heart of any New York bow-wow.

Bugs Bunny sings "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" and Carl Stalling provides memorable music for the Egyptian billboard scene in this fine short from Friz Freleng and his team. My favorite gag: the bulldog's method for getting through his gang after they've blocked the alleyway from Bugs. The renowned rabbit relates his life story again in "What's Up Doc?" (1950).

This cartoon is available on the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume Three," Disc 1.

Have always been a huge fan of Bugs Bunny, so would see anything with him in. Not all his cartoons are great, with a few of his later efforts being quite bad, but his best cartoons are masterpieces and some of the best cartoons ever made.

'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' may not be among his best, Manhattan itself could have been used more and same with the premise of Bugs being a film star which began the cartoon so promisingly. While the whole stuff with the bulldog is clever and lots of fun it is somewhat typical of a chase cartoon and not hugely surprising or innovative story-wise and just seemed a tad disconnected.

Because 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' is so much fun throughout the length, any reservations about the story and Manhattan and the film star premise not quite living to their full potential don't feel like huge problems. The animation is truly beautiful here, the painterly buildings and landscapes are particularly striking while the colours are gorgeously vibrant, the backgrounds meticulous in detail and the drawing crisp and smooth.

Carl Stalling's music score shines as bright as a twinkling star as always, no other Looney Tunes/Merry Melodies wrote music so consistently great without putting a foot wrong. Orchestration is lush, rhythms are rich in character and energy and it not only adds to everything so well the impact of scenes are enhanced to a greater level by Stalling's music. It is especially fitting agreed in the Egyptian billboard, the ascending elevator ride and Bugs' hopping on all fours.

The writing is razor sharp, fresh and deliciously witty, and the gags are beautifully timed, clever and at their best hilarious. Hard to pick a favourite line or gag because there isn't a clunky line or misfiring gag among them. Pacing never gets dull or chaotic, Bugs has everything that makes him such a great character in the first place and the bulldog is good fun with strong chemistry with Bugs. Mel Blanc can be counted on to give great, or even better than that, voice work and be a large part of a cartoon's success, no disappointments here, he's superb.

In conclusion, hugely enjoyable cartoon if not among Bugs' best. 9/10 Bethany Cox