Rabbit's Kin

One of McKimson's better Bugs episodes, as Bugs teaches a young bunny how to handle Pete Puma. The star of this episode though is Stan Freberg, as he was the one who voiced Pete. He gave Pete an 'over-the-top' voice, but perfectly matched what the character looked like. Good running gag about tea. 8/10.

Another merely so-so Robert McKimson short that can't hold it's own when held against other Looney Tunes shorts. This time Bugs Bunny foils Pete Puma after he tries to catch Bug's nephew, Shorty. I don't care for Pete Puma and I don't like whenever one of Bug's nephews show up. Really only one somewhat funny joke stretched out for too long. This cartoon is uncut on Disk 1 of the 'Loony Tunes Golden Collection' and also has a commentary track (with the voice of Pete Puma) as well as a music-only track. On a side note, Pete Puma in drag is more then a little bit disturbing to see. Also Pete Puma showed up again in that dreadful "Tiny Toons" show.

My Grade: c

"Shorty," a little rabbit, comes racing into Bugs' hole seeking shelter and help. A ferocious monster, according to the fast-talking little hare, is after him. Bugs figures it is "Pete Puma," and goes to investigate. Sure enough, it is, and Pete -with a funny voice - tells Bugs he's after a little rabbit who is going to eat. Bugs asks him, "Wouldn't you rather have a big rabbit?"

Bugs then torments the poor, dumb sap, which is how the orange puma is portrayed. I'll tell ya, this Puma was a funny guy. He dresses up as Shorty's mother, trying the lure the little one, and is hilarious. However, poor Pete isn't smart enough to pull off any ploy...and pays the price each time.

Puma's voice (by Stan Freberg) was probably the highlight of this so-so cartoon. Using English subtitles to translate the super-speed-voice little rabbit helped, too.

Priceless dialog: Bugs: "How many lumps you want?" Pete Puma: "Oh, better give me a lotta lumps. A *WHOLE* lotta lumps... (After realizing his mistake) No thanks, I'll do it myself."

Did you know that the character and voice of "Pete Puma" in the Warner Brothers cartoon "Rabbit's Kin" was based on Frank Fontaine's character of "Crazy Guggenheim." Pete's voice was provided by Stan Freberg. Freberg reprised this voice in another Warners cartoon (as Pete!) and in 1990 as Pete on "Tiny Toon Adventures."

Rabbit's Kin is an amusing if unexceptional Bugs Bunny cartoon. The storyline is mediocre mostly, Shorty is cute but he does have an irritating voice as well and the pacing was a little too quick. That said, it is amusing, with some amusing sight gags like Pete Pumas's semi-dance and some razor sharp dialogue. The animation is vibrant and colourful, and the character designs are excellent, and the music is lovely to the ears. Shorty aside, the characters are fine. Bugs is great here, a little underplayed compared to other times I have seen him, but Mel Blanc voices him marvellously. My favourite character though was Pete, he was absolutely hilarious and quite likable, with a scream/howl that you just love to imitate with a brilliant vocal performance from Stan Freberg. Overall, not absolutely superb, but definitely worth the watch. 7/10 Bethany Cox