Wideo Wabbit

Everyone knows what happens when Elmer Fudd hunts Bugs Bunny, but "Wideo Wabbit" throws in a new twist: the hunt is the plot of a TV show. Of course, once Bugs realizes what's going on, he promptly starts doing his usual stuff. To a hilarious extent, I might add.

We get to see parodies of famous 1950s shows: "You Beat Your Wife", for instance. While we in the 21st century might not get all the references, the antics themselves are a hoot. And besides, who doesn't like to see TV spoofed? It brings to mind the fact that present-day TV seems to be dominated by reality shows, talking heads, and the cult of celebrity. When I see how they give Bugs an electric shock to get him out of his rabbit hole, it reminds me of the degrading things that people do to themselves or other people on reality shows.

But I digress. I really liked this cartoon, and you probably will too.

As a lifelong fan of Looney Tunes and who particularly enjoys the pairing of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd (Bugs is also to me one of Looney Tunes' greatest creations), while 'Wideo Wabbit' is not one of the best of either it is still very enjoyable stuff.

The animation in 'Wideo Wabbit' is colourful, with colours that are never flat but never overly-saturated, simple but elegant backgrounds and Bugs and Elmer are well designed and move easily. The one sore spot is the floor manager, whose character design is a little rushed and this reviewer does have to agree about the weirdness of the animation on the jacket.

Carl Stalling, my favourite of the Looney Tunes composers, provides a very vibrantly orchestrated and rhythmically energetic (the energy never stops too) music score, that synchronises with the action superbly and Stalling also had the strongest ability of composing music that not just fitted but enhanced the action (which the music in 'Wideo Wabbit' does). 'Wideo Wabbit' is a very funny cartoon if not a hilarious one. It's not laugh-a-minute, are slightly slower in timing than is characteristic and there are fewer gags than there tends to be.

With this being said the gags do work, they are well timed because they don't come across as tired or dull and they are very well animated. The ending makes for a fitting, touchingly nostalgic and laugh-out-loud funny end to the cartoon. Even better are Bugs' impersonations, the Groucho Marx gag is priceless but the dead-on "Liverace" impersonation is perhaps 'Wideo Wabbit's' highlight. The dialogue is typically razor sharp and witty, the best lines coming from Bugs, and there is a constant sense of nostalgia in recognising all the references and remembering the shows and stars mentioned.

The story here is fun and again lovingly nostalgic, though there are other Looney Tunes cartoons with slightly tighter pacing and slightly more going on. Bugs is vintage Bugs and a joy to watch, while Elmer is an amusing and easy-to-root-for foil. The only weakness character wise is the floor manager, a character who is not very funny and is forgettable at best. Mel Blanc does a fantastic job, and Arthur Q. Bryan is rock solid as well.

Overall, good and enjoyable cartoon but Bugs and Elmer, solo and together, have done better. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Bob McKimson's late-50s TV show spoofs, written by Tedd Pierce, generally have not weathered time too well. Scarcely anyone living today can recall the sources of such cartoons as "China Jones," "People Are Bunny" (unless you can remember Art Linkletter's House Party), or "Boston Quackie." But if you're old enough to remember when Groucho Marx, Art Carney and Liberace were still alive, the present cartoon can be a nifty laugh riot.

Elmer is host of QTTV's "The Sportsman's Hour"; how his speech impediment could allow him to become famous as a TV host really isn't supposed to bother us. Bugs answers the channel's want-ad for a rabbit, soon realizing he's being taken for a ride. The hunter chases him all through sets for other programs, like the fondly remembered Walter Cronkite show "You Are There," as well as Groucho's "You Bet Your Life," and Liberace.

Director McKimson allows voice artist Daws Bulter to do imitations of some of the celebrities under whose guise Bugs appears; and I'm not all that certain I approve of anyone other than Blanc having this privilege.

But "Wideo Wabbit" stands comfortably alongside McKimson's "Honey-Mousers" trilogy as Warner TV spoofs that can delight and withstand repeated viewings. McKimson's almost at the end of his last fertile period, and the first two "Honeymousers" films really show the creative energy burning off him and his new animation unit.

Bugs Bunny answers an ad in the paper for rabbits interested in working on television he responds but finds himself not sure what his project is. He discovers too late that he is to be the demonstration subject on Elmer Fudd's hunting hour tv show. The show gets out of control when Fudd has to hunt Bugs through the other television studios.

The plot here is no more than an excuse to let Bugs run through the studios of some famous (of the time) television shows and do impersonations as he outwits Fudd. He does it well and people like Groucho Marx will always be well known, even if some of the others are not. Despite that, the antics they get up to are still funny and Bugs is as tricky as he always is.

Bugs is good and Elmer is a good partner for him, they usually seem to work well together. The character of the studio floor manager is a bit weird - was it just my eyes or was his jacket badly animated? It looked like the grid lines stayed still on the screen and his jacket moved through them.

Overall this is a good cartoon that does just what you want it to do - Bugs conning Fudd and ultimately outsmarting him!

Bugs Bunny envisions himself being a television star when he sees an ad in the newspaper that reads, "Wanted: Rabbit For Personal Appearance On TV; Opportunity for Career in TV. Apply in Person."

Unfortunately, he's going to be used as the prey for Elmer Fudd's "The Sportsman Hour," who offers handy hunting hints. This week's topic just happens to be how to track down and shoot a live rabbit!

After a few shots, Bugs runs for cover, followed by Elmer yelling, "Come back here , you wetched wabbit, you're wecking my pwogwam!" (BTW, the politically-correct English subtitles always correct the pronunciations.)

The best parts are Bugs imitation other people in other studios, such as Groucho Marx in his program "You Bet Your Life." Except in this cartoon, it's "You Beat Your Wife." Wow, at least the PC police didn't edit the cartoon, just the subtitles.

As a little kid growing up about this time, I can still recall all the TV programs mentioned here, like "You Asked For It," "You Were There" and "The Liberace Show."

Overall, this was more nostalgic than funny, to be honest. I enjoyed it, but there aren't a lot of laughs.