Big House Bunny

Of course, Bugs is one of the few characters who manages to always win in the end. To escape hunters, he tunnels his way out of danger, right into a prison year where Yosemite Sam (Schultz) is waiting for him. Soon he is unfairly incarcerated. What transpires are a series of tricks played on the guard as our bunny remains aloof. Quite good, actually.

Bugs Bunny is on the run from hunters during rabbit season. He digs and ends up inside Sing Sing Prison. Prison guard Sam Schultz assumes him to be a prisoner. It is a constant battle as Bugs keeps escaping.

Sam Schultz is basically Yosemite Sam in design. He does act slightly differently like not shooting guns randomly. I like the two battling characters, but I expected a hulking prisoner as the third. I do wonder if Sam shouldn't be thrown into prison right after hitting the Warden. The stool pigeon joke is kinda funny, but I did take a beat to get it. I'm also not sure which crime is his serving.

Friz Freleng's 'Big House Bunny' benefits greatly from a good script by Tedd Pierce. Despite a couple of nonsensical jokes (hey, how'd he get out of there? And how did that noose get round his neck?), Pierce's writing takes the action in some unpredictable directions and punctuates it with some amusing wisecracks. Running away from some hunters who are distinctly more threatening than Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny takes refuge in Sing Song prison where he is immediately victimised by Sam Schulz (Yosemite Sam). Inevitably, Bugs turns the tables on Sam resulting in prisoner and free man switching places. Particularly memorable in the barrage of gags are the ball and chain in the cannon joke and the highly unusual climactic visual pun. While these old-rivalry-in-a-new-setting cartoons can sometimes prove tedious, Tedd Pierce's inventive writing ensures 'Big House Bunny' rises above the average efforts.

Bugs tunnels into a prison yard and the guard (Yosemite) Sam Schulz believes him to be a prisoner. Now, what would any other bunny do? They'd probably just tunnel back out. But not Bugs, he uses his expert skills of lying, tricks and conviction to enrage Sam to boiling point.

In one classic Duck Season/Rabbit Season moment, Bugs is locked in a cell by Sam but claims that Sam is actually the one locked up. Sam angrily forces a switching of places. It's so funny, but he quickly realizes he's been duped.

The escalating anarchy soon causes Sam his job and before you know he's the one breaking rocks in the yard. Classic stuff!

When Bugs Bunny accidentally tunnels into Sing Sing prison, gard Yosemite Sam mistakes him for a prisoner and wacky hijinks ensue. A lot of humorous gags are in this 7 minute short, such as Bugs tricking Sam into locking himself up, as well as numerous others. This short is further proof (as if we needed any) that Robert McKimson was so very mediocre as both this and 'Big Top Bunny' were written by Tedd Peirce, however this short was directed by Fritz Freleng and the difference really shows. As this short is infinitely more funny.The interaction between Bugs and Sam is great as well. This funny cartoon is on Disk 1 of the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1"

My Grade: A