Buckaroo Bugs

I'm wondering how the Devil they got this cartoon past the censors. Of course,the seldom shown ALL THIS AND RABBIT STEW also had Bugs stripping a hunter nude,but at least that one was hiding behind a bush.

You might notice that the most obvious things a magnet can steal--- Red Hot Ryder's GUNS--mysteriously disappear just before the magnet goes to town on him---on both occasions.

I'd love to see the magnet scenes in slow-motion camera.

Ryder DID get to use the "Whoa,Horsie!" bit a few years before Yosemite Sam made it his own special gag.

And remember--Ryder yelling WHOA! As they fall into The Grand Canyon;as if he could somehow defy the law of gravity.

The big question in this story: "How long will this fair-weather fiend, the Masked Marauder, be allowed to roam at will, dragging in the mud the name of justice and decency?"

The answer: "Brooklyn's famous fighting cowboy, riding to right this wrong, rides 'Red Hot Ryder'!!"

Wow, those corny and ultra-dramatic lines are uttered to set up this Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes effort from 1944. Unfortunately, it might have been the high point of the cartoon.

Bugs was his normal cocky and humorous self but "Red Ryder" was so stupid-sounding he was annoying and not decidedly not funny. He sounded more like the "Lenny" (of Mice and Men") dopey characters that were in a few other Looney Tunes. I would prefer to see Bugs up against someone of equal intelligence, but that is rarely shown. Hearing "Which way did he go" Which way did he go?" a half dozen times in this retarded-sounding voice is more irritating than it is funny.

The beginning of this nine-minute cartoon was very good and the whole thing looked promising until "Red Hot Ryder" showed up. After that, there wasn't much to laugh about.

In this one, "The Masked Marauder" (Bugs Bunny) robs the "hero" Red Hot Ryder with a big magnet, taking his money, his bullets, and even the fillings in his teeth!!! He also takes his belt buckle and Red Hot is left standing there naked with but a leaf to cover his...ahem!!!

Clampett is one for pushing the envelope, but man, it's funny!!! If you need a great belly laugh, look to Clampett and Avery!!!

Bugs is particularly cruel in this one. The Red Hot Ryder is a dolt and is one a mission which is valid. When our rabbit gets his hands on him, the lights go out quickly. Bugs is the master of every situation but he uses his superiority for basic cruelty. Interesting use of his talents as he torments this poor guy.

When the West was won, pioneers settle down to make their homes. However one such town is ravaged by the Masked Marauder, a thief who robs the gardens of their carrots. One man is called in to stop the thief – the Red Hot Ryder. However will he be enough to stop Bugs?

The weakness in this cartoon is the normal one in average Bugs cartoons – lack of a really good foil, in fact Bugs himself describes Red Hot Ryder as `a fugitive from the funny papers'. However despite the slightly dopey sidekick, Bugs doing his usual stuff is more than enough to make the cartoon funny. He totally confuses Red and it is very funny to watch.

Red is OK but he isn't up to the standard of the other cowboy character (who I expected to be in this) and all he does is be a bit silly and dopey. It speaks volumes that I actually laughed more at his horse than I did at his antics. Bugs is on good form though and he keeps everything moving really well.

Overall this is further proof that Bugs is best with a strong sidekick but that he can make a cartoon work even without one. Very funny short with Bugs' usual wit and attitude.