Un lapin à Manhattan

Now a big star living in the wealthy suburbs of LA with the other movie stars, Bugs is approached by the press to print his autobiography. Bugs tells the story of how he was born in humble surroundings in the Lower East Side, in particular an interaction with a group of dogs when he was a young man.

This film opens well, with a knowing star expose of Bugs in his `real life ` personae as film star, having been in so many cartoons. We take the chance to hear his life story, although in reality this only serves to set up a scene between Bugs and a big rough East Side bulldog. The action is typical for Bugs cartoons and is pretty enjoyable, the film never really makes great use of it being in New York – only really using general buildings as opposed to landmarks but this isn't a real problem.

Bugs is his usual self and is funny for it. The bulldog is not one of his strongest foils but is a strong character and works well with Bugs to create funny scenes throughout the film. The film has plenty of nice jokes; including one about dogs and `A tree grows in Brooklyn' which I've seen before in a Pepe Le Phew film!

Overall an enjoyable short that Bugs fans will like as it delivers all that we love him for!

The sycophantic newsreel reporter Lola Beverly wants Bugs Bunny's life story. The great Hollywood star tells of his humble beginnings in the tenements of Manhattan. We see poor Bugs terrorized by a gang of canine toughs led by a bullying bulldog who smokes a cigar and wears a derby and a turtleneck sweater. He's subjected to a cruel "dog pile on the rabbit," but our wily Bugs soon turns the tables on these toughs. Bugs subjects his main tormenter to pies in his face; a confusing performance in front of an Egyptian cigarette billboard; a fall from the top of a building; and an embarrassing entanglement in a series of clotheslines. Bugs Bunny finds his real saviors are Betty Smith and a book title calculated to win the heart of any New York bow-wow.

Bugs Bunny sings "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" and Carl Stalling provides memorable music for the Egyptian billboard scene in this fine short from Friz Freleng and his team. My favorite gag: the bulldog's method for getting through his gang after they've blocked the alleyway from Bugs. The renowned rabbit relates his life story again in "What's Up Doc?" (1950).

This cartoon is available on the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume Three," Disc 1.

To fellow reviewers here: the title is there only because this is a play-on-words of the 1945 classic movie and best-selling book, "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." So, Bugs growing up in Manhattan despite a Brooklyn accent is meaningless....not to be taken literally. It's all about fooling with the title name and nothing more. (Yes, Bugs IS from Brooklyn!)

The story is told in flashback as some Hollywood celebrity magazine interviewer is visiting Bugs' digs and asking about publishing his life story. Bugs quickly dons a robe and sunglasses and plays the "star" to the hilt, and relays his story about growing up in New York City.

Funny "bits" include Baby Bugs popping out of a flower plant holder sucking a carrot with a nipple on the end of it; the "He went that way" sign on electronic ticker-tape-type message board; the elevator zig-zagging up the skyscraper; Bugs doing his Egyptian dance, and finally, the plug for "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" book.

More than the cartoon story, I enjoyed the artwork in here. Many of the Manahattan buildings and streets were beautifully painted. One shot has the Stork Club will the the striped canapé with yellow, red and brown buildings next to it. I froze the frame it looked an Edward Hopper painting - just magnificent artwork.

In his first before-he-was-famous story (followed by "What's Up, Doc?"), Bugs Bunny tells a never-seen reporter of how he grew up in New York City and had to defend himself against a gang of tough dogs. Not surprisingly, the wascawwy wabbit makes mincemeat out of the dastardly canines no matter what the situation.

I would actually say that it's a little strange that they have Bugs grow up in Manhattan. After all, he's partly famous for his Brooklyn-Bronx accent; it's part of what gives him his edge. Then again, maybe I shouldn't dwell on that. The point is that this is a really cool classic cartoon. Definitely worth seeing.

I wonder what was with the accent that Bugs put on at the beginning of the interview.

I have seen one or two episodes of Bugs Bunny where he is interviewed by press about his background history/career and I think this is the first one made. I enjoyed this episode very much so, Bugs Bunny as a young rabbit in Manhattan was a sweet character when dancing and he does a good job of avoiding his pursuers as well as he does in most of his episodes (except here Elmer is not pursuing Bugs in a wood, it is a stray dog pursuing Bugs in New York City). There are quite a few good jokes in this episode, the animation is all right and the idea is one that is clever and original (even if I myself have already seen a few episode on the same premise).

The cartoon opens with a very strange woman interviewer saying that they will meet the Hollywood Star Bugs Bunny. They first encounter him in his burrow (right next to palm trees and a SWIMMING POOL) and he has to dress into clothes that are not pyjamas for the interviewer. He then tells about his young life in Manhattan...

I recommend this episode to people who like Bugs Bunny and to people who like Looney Tunes in general. Enjoy "A Hare Grows in Manhattan"! :-)