Buckaroo Bugs

This cartoon -- directed by the great Bob Clampett -- is one of the best Bugs Bunny cartoons ever (IMO). In the "Western" storyline, our favorite hare is the Masked Marauder, stealing carrots from Victory Gardens (they had those in the Wild Wild West?!??) and being pursued by the not-so-bright Red Hot Rider (his horse is smarter than he is!). Bugs, as he does with Elmer, then proceeds to have fun tripping up this adversary. This classic cartoon dates from Clampett's -- and Warner's -- golden age of the 1940's, a time in which the wildly hilarious "Warner Style" reached it's peak. This one is a must for any Bugs Bunny fan.

Buckaroo Bugs is a thoroughly entertaining Bugs Bunny cartoon. My only problem was that Red while he is voiced brilliantly and has some nice juicy dialogue comes off weak and silly as a character. Buckaroo Bugs is entertaining for primarily a rootin' tootin' performance from my favourite rabbit(or wabbit as Elmer would say) if there ever was one. Bugs is well supported by some rapid razor sharp dialogue, wonderful visual gags, great animation and a corker of a score with the William Tell Overture played to perfect use. And Mel Blanc? What can I say about this truly talented guy? I know I keep going on about him, but he does deserve credit for bringing these truly wonderful toon characters to life and and being funny in the process. Overall, near-perfect as a cartoon, that is lots of fun. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Funny Bugs Bunny short, directed by Bob Clampett, that marked Bugs' official Looney Tunes debut. He had appeared up until this point as part of the Merrie Melodies series. It's also notable for being the final cartoon with an on-screen credit for Leon Schlesinger, who had sold his studio to Warner Bros. that year. It's a great cartoon with lots of wackiness and references to pop culture and topical events of the time, common traits of Bob Clampett's work. It's a western spoof with Bugs as a carrot thief called the Masked Marauder being pursued by "Brooklyn's famous fighting cowboy," Red Hot Ryder. Red Hot Ryder is a dimwit, of course, and Bugs outsmarts him at every turn. Many funny gags and lines, beautiful animation, and exciting music are what makes this one great. It's fun to watch Bugs in the earlier cartoons when he was more aggressive and, frankly, mean.

The big question in this story: "How long will this fair-weather fiend, the Masked Marauder, be allowed to roam at will, dragging in the mud the name of justice and decency?"

The answer: "Brooklyn's famous fighting cowboy, riding to right this wrong, rides 'Red Hot Ryder'!!"

Wow, those corny and ultra-dramatic lines are uttered to set up this Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes effort from 1944. Unfortunately, it might have been the high point of the cartoon.

Bugs was his normal cocky and humorous self but "Red Ryder" was so stupid-sounding he was annoying and not decidedly not funny. He sounded more like the "Lenny" (of Mice and Men") dopey characters that were in a few other Looney Tunes. I would prefer to see Bugs up against someone of equal intelligence, but that is rarely shown. Hearing "Which way did he go" Which way did he go?" a half dozen times in this retarded-sounding voice is more irritating than it is funny.

The beginning of this nine-minute cartoon was very good and the whole thing looked promising until "Red Hot Ryder" showed up. After that, there wasn't much to laugh about.

In this one, "The Masked Marauder" (Bugs Bunny) robs the "hero" Red Hot Ryder with a big magnet, taking his money, his bullets, and even the fillings in his teeth!!! He also takes his belt buckle and Red Hot is left standing there naked with but a leaf to cover his...ahem!!!

Clampett is one for pushing the envelope, but man, it's funny!!! If you need a great belly laugh, look to Clampett and Avery!!!