My Bunny Lies Over the Sea

Bugs Bunny is going to the LaBrea Tar Pits in LA and takes another wrong turn at Albuquerque. He ends up somewhere in Scotland. He spots a Scotsman playing bagpipe and thinks that it is a monster attacking an old lady. He grabs the bagpipe and destroys it. Bugs is surprised that the old lady is actually a man with no pants. He slaps a barrel on the Scotsman. The two gets off on the wrong foot and the Scotsman challenges Bugs Bunny to a game of golf.

The first half is a lot of jokes at the expense of Scotland and its people. Some of them hit a bit differently today. The kilt as a skirt is a weak joke nowadays. There is an allusion to the Scots being cheap. The second half golfing works a lot better in modern terms. It would have been more specific for them to go to St Andrews. This is fine for Bugs.

In perhaps Bugs's first reference to that "wrong turn at Albequerque," he instead finds himself in Scotland where he encounters a Scottish bagpipe player (whom he mistakenly presumes is an old lady being attacked by a monster - if that makes sense to you). After Bugs unknowingly destroys the Scotsman's bagpipes, he decides to settle the dispute by challenging the rabbit to a game of golf. Wackiness ensues.

Although nothing above the ordinary, this is still a pretty amusing Bugs Bunny short. The interplay between him and the Scotsman at the beginning is funny (particularly Bugs's portrayal of a Scottish landowner). As are several of the tricks Bugs plays on him when on the links. As far as characterization is concerned, Bugs is his usual tricky self (but no more) while the Scotsman is the stereotypical foreigner complete with a deliberately funny Scottish accent. With no other characters to speak of, this may be one of Bugs's most simplistic cartoons ever (not to be confused with "worst" mind you). The surprise ending is pretty funny too as it finally gives the Scotsman a fair come-uppance.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this short is its animation. Despite being released in 1948, the cartoon both looks and sounds more like a 1950s short. By contrast, later shorts like High Diving Hare and Rebel Rabbit look and feel more like 1940s shorts. This just goes to show how ahead of his time Chuck Jones really was as his less cinematic style of animation was in the 70s and 80s imitated by almost every cartoonist in one way or another.

Overall, this is a fairly average Bugs Bunny cartoon. But understand that an average Bugs cartoon is still better than a top cartoon with most other cartoon characters. That alone makes it well worth watching.

Classic Bugs short, directed by the great Chuck Jones, has Bugs tunneling to Scotland after making one of his infamous wrong turns at Albuquerque. He tackles with angry Scotsman Angus MacRory, resulting in a funny golf match between the two. Many good gags in this one and some fun lines from Bugs and Angus. The animation is bright and colorful with well-drawn characters and backgrounds. The music is lively and upbeat. Wonderful voice work from the incomparable Mel Blanc. I would say most Bugs fans will like it as much as I do but, judging by some of the reviews here, that's not the case. Oh well, can't please everybody I guess. I thought it was good.

Bugs Bunny takes the wrong turn at Albuquerque and ends up tunneling into Scotland (!). There he immediately attacks a horrible monster engulfing a defenseless old lady. Only it turns out the "monster" is a set of bagpipes and the "old lady" is a man in a kilt. Bugs thinks this is indecent (despite his own predilection for drag) and throws a barrel over the Scotsman. This is too much, and the angry Scot tries to blow out Bugs's brains. Soon the two opponents settle the matter more civilly - with a game of golf. Bugs's golfing strategy leaves most of his scruples buried under a divot. The infuriated Scotsman suggests one more contest, again underestimating the quick-witted bunny.

A fine series of gags and strong characterizations make this another winner from Chuck Jones, Michael Maltese and company. "McGrory," as Bugs dubs him at one point, gives a series of priceless reactions to the befuddling Bugs. Love that final gag!

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

I wouldn't put My Bunny Lies Over the Sea among the best of the Looney Tunes canon, but it was an enjoyable and entertaining cartoon. Even with its predictable game of golf and I wouldn't have minded it being a minute or so longer as well.That said, it goes at a cracking pace, has some fine sight gags and dialogue, beautiful crisp animation and an energetic music score. Also Mel Blanc as he always does does a fantastic job with all the voices. Bugs is still the witty and likable rabbit that I fell in love with, and the support characters work well too. I loved the title too, almost poetic like a love song.Overall, an entertaining cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox