Broom-Stick Bunny

This 1956 "Looney Tunes" cartoon short called "Broom-Stick Bunny" is one fun entertaining and clever cartoon that's always a joy when watched. It involves "Halloween" time with Witch Hazel being at her castle and she wants nothing more than to stay ugly, well Bugs is going to her place to trick or treat, and once she finds out he's a real bunny the episode becomes a chase and twist of fighting between pretty looks and staying ugly! The cartoon is funny as the Magic Mirror is the telling tale of the story as wanting to be ugly backfires for the witch! Nice cartoon with a twist!

For Witch Hazel (who's all gleeful cackling and flying hairpins) there's nothing more satisfying than being reassured (by the Genie in the magic mirror) that she is, indeed, the ugliest one of all.

Yep. There's no bigger compliment than that for this snaggle-toothed old hag.

And, so (on Halloween night) when an even uglier little witch comes a-knocking at her door (hollering out "Trick or Treat!") you can be darn certain that old Witch Hazel is gonna do everything within the wickedness of her power to reclaim, once again, that crown of supreme ugliness for herself.

Anyway - (IMO) - "Broom-Stick Bunny" may have been a "Bugs Bunny" cartoon, first and foremost - But, with that aside - It was, without question, Witch Hazel (and all of her hysterical histrionics) that stole the show here, over, and over again.

Broom-Stick Bunny (1956)

*** (out of 4)

Witch Hazel is at home on Halloween proud as can be since she's the ugliest woman around. Then there's a knock at the door where another ugly witch is but it turns out to be Bugs Bunny in an outfit. The real witch then decides she needs some rabbit to complete her next meal. This is a pretty good entry with Bugs being at the top of his game and Hazel being a pretty good villain. I'm sure the film could have thrown in more homages to other "scary" type of films but that's just a small issue. Bugs gets a lot of good lines but the real charm of the film belongs to Hazel are her dire need of being ugly. The twist ending is a very nice one and gets the biggest laugh of the film.

Witch Hazel is simply delighted to be the ugliest witch ever as told to her by her magic mirror. That is until Bugs Bunny shows up trick-or-treating. The mirror mistaking the rabbit's mask for his real face soon rescinds the title that he gave Hazel as ugliest and bestows it on Bugs. Which of course infuriates Hazel to no end. This is another great Looney Tunes short, and while I was never the biggest fan of Witch Hazel, this is one of the best cartoons with her in it. This animated short can be seen on Disc 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2. It also features an optional commentary by legendary voice actress June Foray who seems to remember quite a lot. Plus, the short has a musical score and effects only track as well.

My Grade: B+

Witch Hazel is having some insecurity issues about getting prettier as she grows older and asks her magic mirror if she is still the ugliest witch of them all. The mirror reassures her that she is. That is until a trick-or-treating Bugs Bunny (dressed as a witch) shows up at her house. The mirror then tells Hazel that Bugs is uglier, which just doesn't sit well with our favorite witch. Colorful animation, if a little sketchy for my tastes. Lively music from Milt Franklyn. Wonderful voice work from legends June Foray and Mel Blanc. It's a very funny short with great characters. Probably my favorite Witch Hazel cartoon.