Foxy by Proxy

Awakened by a fox hunt, Bugs Bunny turns his attention to the dumbest dog and proceeds to play a series of tricks on him. Well, either the dog was just a plain old idiot, or he somehow became one upon meeting Bugs. Either way, Bugs plays some great - and even nasty - tricks on the guy. Once I saw the log, I knew what was going to happen, since that trick has appeared in other cartoons.

OK, so how many times can Bugs pull these gags on his enemies, none of whom really has a noticeable IQ level? Who cares? The point is that it's funny! "Foxy by Proxy" definitely is. I'm certainly not one to throw away Halloween costumes either.

Stubby indeed.

It's a shame that this classic Bugs Bunny short is not aired on TV much anymore. To me, it's one of Bugs' best films! With all issues about fox hunting set aside, this cartoon is extremely funny! Bugs starts out just wanting to tease a group of hunting dogs in the classic "Elmer Fudd/Looney Tunes" style. The main object of Bugs' trickery is a big, dopey looking hunting dog. This pooch is the classic cartoon "idiot" that Bugs really loves to pester and pester he does! However, this is one of the few times that Bugs' tricks actually backfire on him. The first time my son saw this cartoon, he was very shocked at the ending. A laughfest from start to finish!

Fox hunting hounds disturb Bugs' peace and quiet, so he decides to mess with them by dressing up as a fox. Now, honestly, this plan doesn't make a lick of sense because he's just endangering himself. Of course this is a cartoon and therefore doesn't have to make sense so we just go with it. Anyway, Bugs spends most of the short tormenting a fat dimwitted hound that is yet another in a long line of Looney Tunes characters inspired by Lennie from "Of Mice and Men." It's a funny short with many good gags and lines. The train gag is my favorite. Energetic music from Carl Stalling. Great voice work from Mel Blanc and Stan Freberg. The animation is beautiful with bright, rich colors and well-drawn characters and backgrounds. An unofficial remake of a Tex Avery short called Of Fox and Hounds but with enough charms of its own to make it feel fresh.

One of my personal favorites, as Bugs is awakened to the sound of a fox hunt, and decides to get in on the act. Best scene is the whole train-track scene, makes me howl with laughter however many times I see it. Non-stop action, with a surprise finish, as Bugs for once gets it in the end(literally).

Is Foxy By Proxy one of Bugs' very best? Probably not. Is it a great cartoon? I think so. Bugs is on top form, his persona and wisecracks are still as priceless as ever. The hound is one his stupidest foils, but incredibly endearing at the same time. The humour is imaginative and still hilarious. There are some great quotes here especially Bugs' "I've seen better heads on a glass of root beer!!!", and of the gags the best was the whole train track sequence which I just can't get enough of and it makes me bust a gut every time. The pacing is also crisp, and there is not a dull moment in the story. The animation is beautifully done, both characters are drawn very well and it is sumptuously coloured. The music as ever is full of incisive energy and lively orchestration. Mel Blanc does a wonderful job again with the voicing, how he managed to voice so many characters the way he did I don't know. In conclusion, very well recommended. 10/10 Bethany Cox