O Caso do Coelho Desaparecido

Case of the Missing Hare (1942)

*** (out of 4)

Magician Ala Bahma is in the forest hanging up posters for his upcoming show and he crosses paths with Bugs Bunny. After throwing a pie into his face, Bugs decides to go to the show and cause the magician some trouble.

While this film is far from a classic it still contains enough good moments to where fans of Bugs will enjoy watching it. As you'd expect the animation quality is extremely high and that beautiful color is on full display throughout. Ala Bahma appeared in several shorts and I honestly never found him to be the greatest of villains. The entertainment factor certainly comes from Bugs with one of the highlights dealing with swords.

When a--hole magician Ala Bahma nails a poster over Bugs Bunny's tree-hole (since when does Bugs live in a tree?) and subsequently shoves a pie in Bugs's face, Bugs decides that it means war. So, Ala Bahma's show that night becomes a venue for Bugs to make a mess of everything. Whether it's the carrot, the swords, or the end, this is a magic show unlike any other. Why can't we all do this more?! So, maybe "Case of the Missing Hare" isn't the best Looney Tunes/Merry Melodies cartoon ever, but it's still a real pleasure. Bugs always knows how to turn the power structure on its head, even when dressed like a little kid. Really funny.

He dood it alright.

TIDBIT - Hey, all you up-and-coming magicians: it's not a good idea to get a bunny mad at you.

In "Case of the Missing Hare", Bugs Bunny takes matters in hand when vile magician Ala Bama (as mystical as the same-named state) plasters posters for his show all over Bugs' woodland home and gets plastered himself with a blackberry pie. Of course you realize, this means war!

That night at the theatre, the magician finds himself embarrassed, humiliated, clobbered and otherwise cut down to size by the vengeful Bugs as Ala tries to pres-ti-digi-toot (or pull) a rabbit out of his hat and fails...several times.

Director Jones and writer Pierce create a case for all magicians to stick with working with more docile animals...like tigers or lions, maybe. And as always, Mel Blanc's voices make it all the funnier.

Ten stars and a RED LIGHT for this nut "Case".

This is pretty much one of those cartoons where someone crosses our famous rabbit. This is a mistake because once you confront this guy, he'll get ya! Here a famous magician wants to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but that rabbit is Bugs, and he's not interested. What happens is a series of events that drive the magician crazy. It's not bad, but there is nothing that stands out.

Ala Bahma, the world renown magician is performing at Bijou Theater, amidst a lot of fanfare. (Billboards announcing this event are everywhere.) It turns out the slob magician is the one posting all the notices. He makes the mistake of posting on on a tree in which Bugs is occupying. (That's the first time I've seen Bugs living in a tree. What's with that?)

Anyway, Bugs gives the guy lip and the portly one throws a blackberry pie in the rabbit's face. It is then we hear the famous words, outside of "What's up, doc?" of a BB cartoon: "Of course, this means war!"

Unfortunately, the war isn't much. It would have been 5-10 years later in the Looney Tunes cartoons but these early 1940s ones weren't very wild. They were very tame - too tame - compared to the 1950s editions. In other words, not a lot happens here.

Also, what's with all the big kisses on the lips? It seems to be another trait of the period, along with the corny humor. I see it here several times and in other cartoons of the early '40s? Kissing your opponent on the lips.....was that supposed to be funny?