A Feather in His Hare

Bugs Bunny is, yet again, at war with an inexperienced first- and, not surprisingly, last-timer. The character of the Last of the Mohicans is purposely annoying and whiny, but he has some good lines. Bugs as always is a one-man comedy cast, the eternal wise-guy who flawlessly outwits his foe. The animation still has to improve, but is of high standard nonetheless. It might seem unfamiliar because of the early date. The story is original, and the way the Mohican talks is funny. His elaborate plots are quite creative - definitely more so than Elmer Fudd. All that guy has is a rifle. Not to say he's not a fantastic, beautiful and amazing character. Heaps better than the Mohican. But this cartoon presents nothing unique, nothing new. Just plain old Bugs-outwitting-antagonist fare. The beginning and ending are great, so I recommend this cartoon.

Watching "A Feather in His Hare", I got the feeling that it was probably out of circulation due to its racist portrayal of Native Americans. In this case, a goofy Indian hunt-um rabbit-um (that stilted version of American Indian grammar should be offensive enough); guess which one he finds! From there, the cartoon consists of scene after scene of Bugs Bunny making mincemeat out of the Indian (who, incidentally, talks more like a Jewish comedian).

I guess that as long as we understand that, yes, this cartoon is racist, we can enjoy the gags that it portrays. As for the end...well, that's what we associate rabbits with.

When a bespectacled indian goes rabbit hunting and happens across Bugs Bunny, it can only make for a bad experience for the hunter.

Indeed, in "A Feather in His Hare", Bugs (Blanc) does make life miserable for the same noble brave (also Blanc) again and again. By use of "Here is the Rabbit" signs, moving stakes, summertime snowballs ('cause it's too cold to make them in the winter), tomahawk scalp massages and freshly-made pottery. Until at last the indian declares he is the Last of the Mohicans! But even then, Bugs delivers a crushing blow.

As directed by Jones, Bugs makes such tomfoolery subtle yet hilarious. Even then, it's hard to be subtle with declarations like, "Oh, Prunella!". Try it sometime.

Ten stars and a full feather headdress for "A Feather in His Hare". Er...UGH!

The world would indeed be a better place if we could just watch these simple, entertaining cartoons without the self-righteous breast-beatings of those who cry "racist" every time some ethnic group is lampooned. We are all sick to death of hearing that word and sicker still to see it applied to cartoons, especially cartoons as good as this one.

Don't go on a guilt trip when you watch this beautifully animated farce. Just enjoy it as the jokes come flying at you fast and furious. The Warner animators, always under ridiculously intense pressure by the money boys upstairs to get more and more footage out per week, were quick to learn that faster action and great jokes were the way to go. And they rarely misfired. This one is no exception.

It is readily available on video and is one every age group can enjoy. And if the humorless commissars wag their disapproving fingers at you for watching just happily ignore them.

A real gem of a cartoon from the terrific animators at Warners.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

Chuck Jones deserved, and still does deserve, his status as one of animation's most legendary, greatest and most important directors/animators. He may have lacked the outrageousness and wild wackiness of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, but the visual imagination, wit and what he did with some of the best-known and most iconic characters ever were just as special. He has definitely done far superior cartoons than 'A Feather in His Hare', but it is an enjoyable cartoon and indicative enough of why Jones was revered as much as he was and still is.

Sure, the story is typical, formulaic Bugs Bunny fare and there are a couple of jokes that don't completely land. Regarding the Indian he is a stereotype and not the most subtle of ones, but compared to the stereotypes (racial and other) in the worst of the Censored 11 (i.e. 'Angel Puss') and some of Van Beuren's output ('Plan Dumb', 'Laundry Blues', 'Dixie Days') it is nowhere near as blatant or as offensive as those.

Bugs is true to character and demonstrative of why he is one of my favourite animated characters and one of animation's most iconic. The Indian is a fun foil and has some very amusing antics and lines.

As pretty much always for Jones, 'A Feather in His Hare' is beautifully animated. It's fluid in movement, crisp in shading, vibrant and atmospheric in colour and very meticulous in detail. Jones does direct very solidly.

Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it. The use of pre-existing music is inspired.

Gags are never less than very amusing, the best of them hilarious, and are timed inventively. The dialogue is suitably witty. Another master in his field, Mel Blanc's voice work is typically bravura and immensely versatile, this is a good if not the best representation of why Blanc was one of the greatest voice actors who ever lived.

Overall, very good though Jones and Bugs are not at their very best. 8/10 Bethany Cox