O que É que Há, Velhinho?

For my money, the penultimate of Bugs Bunny's career.

Bugs tells his life story over the phone to the Disassociated Press (a clue for what we're in for.) We follow the trace of his career from dancing school, vaudeville, unemployment, a break from "big vaudeville star" Elmer Fudd (!), a twist in the act that's a hit with the audience and puts them in the big time.

And finally, Hollywood. The bit where they sing the title song does it for me. But even then, they still have a joke on him at the end. See it yourself.

The Disassociated Press wants Bugs Bunny's life story. Got a pencil? "First," says Bugs, "I was born." He quickly learns he is different from the other children: he's a "rabbit in a human world." He grows up to accept repetitive chorus boy jobs in such Broadway revues as "Girl of the Golden Vest," "Wearing of the Grin" and "Rosie's Cheeks." His career hits the skids and he's living on a park bench before he's discovered by that great vaudeville star, Elmer Fudd. Their dual comedy act is a hit, which leads to film roles. Will Bugs Bunny ever have to look back?

The director of this picture, Robert McKimson, is rated low among cartoon fans, and I think rightly so. But this film is a delight, especially Bugs's and Elmer's swinging musical number, "What's Up, Doc?" Here is McKimson at his rare best.

Other treats include caricatures of Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby, (and Elmer's crack at their expense); and funny bits from Bugs's and Elmer's comedy act.

This cartoon is included in the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume One," Disc 1.

What's Up Doc has Bugs Bunny in Hollywood. Hard to fathom? Well, Bugs himself refers to this in the beginning, while he is conversing on the telephone with the press. He narrates his life story by saying how 'different' he was from others when he was born. Not only was he a bunny, but he was also a prodigy, playing the toddler piano like Mozart and then stepping it to Broadway. His 'meteoric' rise involves repetition of performances in various shows, which brings him fame and the moment he tries a one-act performance, his career takes a wrong turn. He becomes depressed and aloof till Elmer Fudd notices him and the two form an alliance.

'What's Up Doc?' has some sparkling moments- the 'talk, it's your nickel' joke, the 'first I was born' opening, the desperate attempts made the other struggling actors when Elmer enters and the ironic ending. 'Singin' in the Rain' may have been inspired by this short- however the film is a masterpiece. This short's main problem is that it's a short, so it does not really justify its title to a great extent. It tries to cover too much in its short run length- which proves to be a double edged sword for WUD?.

The animation however is quite superior, and the production is commendable. 'Duck Amuck's' animation is comparatively inferior, however the plot was apt for a short. A thirty minute film for What's up Doc? would do it more justice.

I read a number of reviews that found the film to be boring and unfunny; I found the film to be a brave and somewhat visionary attempt considering the year it was made. And Bugs Bunny is just adorable. My Rating: 8/10

This is a bit different from most Bugs Bunny cartoons: the life story of Bugs, from when he knew he was "a bit different" (the rest of the babies were humans and he was a rabbit) to his beginnings in the world of show business.

However, the latter doesn't pan out. Bugs is down on his luck and moping around on a park bench, when Elmer Fudd passes by and says, "Why are you hanging around with these guys? They'll never amount to anything." (They are Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby!)

Elmer gets him a job back in the theater. The vaudeville show opens in Peoria (where else?). It travels on to Buffalo and then New York City, but Bugs is getting bugged. He's tired of being Elmer's foil and getting pies shoved in his face, etc. He reverses the act and finishes with "What's up, doc?" It's a smash! Offers come in from everywhere and the two head off to Hollywood and Warner Brothers. The rest is history.

There are not a lot of laughs in here: very few, in fact, but it's fairly interesting. This is good for one viewing only, unless you're a big fan or a collector of BB cartoons, then it might be of historical significance.

Okay, now, I'm sick of hearing about how Robert McKimson doesn't match up with against the "great" Looney Tunes directors like Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and I've even read in a book written by one of the foremost cartoon critics, Leonard Maltin, that he doesn't even compare well against Art Davis! I'm not going to denigrate those other directors (well, maybe Davis), we come here to praise McKimson. Sure, he's had his stinkers, but so has everyone else mentioned. When anyone says he's not in the the same league as these others, just remember that those four are a few of the greatest names in cartoon history. As evidence for my case I call upon "A Lad in His Lamp", "Hillbilly Hare", "Walky Talky Hawky", "Devil May Hare", "Stupor Duck", and the list of great 'toons goes on. How about the creation of such characters as Foghorn Leghorn, Henery Hawk, Hippety Hopper, Sylvester Jr., Speedy Gonzales, and the Tasmanian Devil, amongst others.

In What's Up Doc? (yes, my little rant is over) we have another of those wonderful devices where a cartoon character tells us about his rise to stardom, and it's never been done better. (Quick Quiz: Name all of the stars in the park). The vaudeville scenes are highlighted by the duo of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd singing "What's Up Doc?". Although I'll admit that the joke at the end is a little tame, overall this is one of those memorable Warner Bros. cartoon from their golden age. Oh, and did I mention that this is directed by Robert McKimson?