Pernalonga e o Pé de Feijão

Everyone knows that when a cartoon stars Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd, that it's going to be crazy. In "Beanstalk Bunny", Daffy (as Jack) trades a cow for some beans, which he promptly throws away. Immediately, the beans turn into a beanstalk and Daffy starts climbing it, only to discover that Bugs got caught in it. Obsessed with the "goodies" up above, Daffy kicks Bugs off and continues climbing, but Bugs quickly follows him up. Once they reach the sky, Elmer is the giant. When Bugs and Daffy each claim that the other is Jack, Elmer decides that he'll grind both their bones to make his bread. But Bugs manages to free himself and Daffy. Most of the rest of the cartoon is Elmer chasing the two of them through his castle.

This was probably the only time when Bugs and Daffy had to cooperate (sort of). As always, Daffy is greedy while Bugs is the rationalist, and at the end, we learn how to make a living in the giant's world. Maybe it's not the best Looney Tunes cartoon ever, but Chuck Jones, Mel Blanc and that whole creative team always were able to create something worthy. Fabulous.

When he feels robbed by a `cow for beans' deal, Daffy discards his beans only to find they create a giant beanstalk. Daffy climbs it to find that Bugs is already halfway up it (his bed got caught as it grew) but he is damned if he will share the gold that surely awaits him. However when Daffy finds a giant Elmer Fudd he is all too keen for Bugs to be involved (especially in the crushing of the bones to make the bread!).

Despite his claims that there has never been a rabbit in the story of Jack & The Beanstalk (clearly forgetting his own cartoon version) Bugs gets involved here after Daffy drops his bed down the stalk. The film is pretty amusing as Bugs and Daffy semi-work together to try and evade the giant Fudd. Some of the gags don't work but the majority of them are pretty slick and amusing.

The characters are not as good as they should be though and they are lucky that the energy in the material covers it. Bugs is not as tricky as he should be and his comedy here is more physical than anything else. Daffy is OK if you like the greedy, more recent personae - however I much prefer the crazy little black duck. Fudd is the least like himself - his giant size somewhat taking away from his usual bumbling character.

Overall this is an OK short that is enjoyable due to the energetic script and the presence of three of Warner Brother's biggest characters (literally in the case of Fudd here!). It isn't as sharp as it could have been but it is still worth seeing.

'Beanstalk Bunny' has the distinction of pulling together several standard Looney Tunes conventions, most of these distinct to director Chuck Jones:

The unique skewering of a classic fairy tale story already done by rote dozens of times by other studios.

Casting Daffy Duck in a stock starring role, his being aware of playing the part, and failing spectacularly.

Elmer as a potentially dangerous adversary who gets easily stalled and confused by Bugs' persuasive power of speech.

Jones' having Bugs content to mind his own business until external forces prod him to action.

Jones' oft-used staging a scene behind glass, where character acting makes dialog unnecessary.

Jones' tendency to put small characters in outsize surroundings, seen throughout his career, from the maudlin 'Tom Thumb in Trouble' to the bizarre 'I Was a Teenage Thumb'

All that, and a hilarious cartoon. How does Daffy come up with 'Aloysius'?

This cartoon is one of the better ones using all three that Warner Brothers did-almost as good as the hunting trilogy. The scene where Daffy and Bugs await their fate at the hands of Elmer is priceless! Daffy is his typical insufferable self and the ending is perfect for both Bugs and Daffy. This airs fairly often on Cartoon Network. Recommended

This is a classic. As a child of the 1 1/2 hour "Bugs Bunny / Road-Runner Show" on Saturday mornings, I grew up with this humor and it has served me well. Even as a young adult studying law, students would mumble the line "He's Jack." when called upon by bewildered professors.

Moments to savor:

*the expression on Bugs' face as his head cranes back into his pillow when Daffy screams at him while in bed on the beanstalk.

*the entire scene with Bugs and Daffy under glass.

*the final chase and Bugs' ingenious solution to Elmer.

Great lines:

*"I'll guess I'll have to open up with a pair of Jacks."

*"He's Jack."

*"You could've stood up for your rights, you know? You milksop!"