Late '40s McKimson Bugs Bunny Options

[RobEB]

3. A non BR comment: has anyone noticed, for a few cartoons in the late 40's, the McKimson unit was drawing BB with what I call a hard edge? See, for example, 'Greyhounded Hare', 'Rebel Rabbit' (2 very unmemorable cartoons)...there are a coupleof others, as well.

This was actually in the excellent Blue Ribbon thread, but I felt my reply belonged in a new thread.

Steve, I wish to (respectfully) take issue with you about McKimson's Bugs cartoons from this era. This is my very favorite incarnation of Bugs! I love the squat design (also apparent in McKimson's Daffy Duck from around the same time) which perfectly compliments the rabbit's personality. Besides REBEL RABBIT, and THE GREYHOUNDED HARE (two cartoons which I certainly remember) there's HURDY-GURDY HARE, THE WINDBLOWN HARE, A LAD IN HIS LAMP, HOT CROSS BUNNY, and others. To me, this was the epitome of what Bugs was all about, brash, resourceful, never at a loss.

And, for me anyway, he was never more appealing.

[Ray Pointer]

3. A non BR comment: has anyone noticed, for a few cartoons in the late 40's, the McKimson unit was drawing BB with what I call a hard edge? See, for example, 'Greyhounded Hare', 'Rebel Rabbit' (2 very unmemorable cartoons)...there are a coupleof others, as well.

This was actually in the excellent Blue Ribbon thread, but I felt my reply belonged in a new thread.

Steve, I wish to (respectfully) take issue with you about McKimson's Bugs cartoons from this era. This is my very favorite incarnation of Bugs! I love the squat design (also apparent in McKimson's Daffy Duck from around the same time) which perfectly compliments the rabbit's personality. Besides REBEL RABBIT, and THE GREYHOUNDED HARE (two cartoons which I certainly remember) there's HURDY-GURDY HARE, THE WINDBLOWN HARE, A LAD IN HIS LAMP, HOT CROSS BUNNY, and others. To me, this was the epitome of what Bugs was all about, brash, resourceful, never at a loss.

And, for me anyway, he was never more appealing.

In this respect, McKimson's Bugs was closer in concept to Clampett's. The only difference is that the layouts and animation drawings in Clampett's cartoons were better. There is the impression that the characters are floating over the backgrounds instead of being integrated with the enviroment as in the cartoons of the other Warner directors.

[Reverend Ned]

In this respect, McKimson's Bugs was closer in concept to Clampett's. The only difference is that the layouts and animation drawings in Clampett's cartoons were better.

Wait a moment... before McKimson became a director, didn't he animate and do layouts for the Clampett division? Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

[Matthew Hunter]

I really like those cartoons a lot. "Rebel Rabbit" is a great cartoon, and so is "Windblown Hare". McKimson had a real hot streak with his Bugs cartoons from about 1948 until the mid 50's, they were so energetic and funny! Why everyone sweeps him under the rug and lauds the Jones and Freleng Bugs cartoons more is something I'll never understand.

In fact, just about the only one of this period and director I can't stand is "Gorilla My Dreams". Lots of fans love that one, but I think it's incredibly annoying. I just never liked it, it was a sure-fire channel-change inducer for me even as a kid. I thought the gorilla was funnier in "Hurdy Gurdy Hare". Eh, opinions, doc.

-Matthew

[Jorge Finkielman]

Yes, "Gorilla My Dreams" is one of my favorites Bugs Bunny cartoons

[Super Rabbit]

I really like those cartoons a lot. "Rebel Rabbit" is a great cartoon, and so is "Windblown Hare". McKimson had a real hot streak with his Bugs cartoons from about 1948 until the mid 50's, they were so energetic and funny! Why everyone sweeps him under the rug and lauds the Jones and Freleng Bugs cartoons more is something I'll never understand.

Don't you like Acrobaty Bunny (1946) or Easter Yeggs (1947)? Otherwise, I'd agree with you about those McKimson Bugs cartoons (except Gorilla My Dreams, another classic as far as I'm concerned).

I really liked McKimson's squatty Bugs design too, and his Daffy design as well. His early 50's lanky Bugs is also nice, but his Daffy started looking creepy around 1952 like his mouth had swelled up. I always thought McKimon's cartoons had really pretty layouts.

[Ray Pointer]

In this respect, McKimson's Bugs was closer in concept to Clampett's.  The only difference is that  the layouts and  animation drawings in Clampett's cartoons were better.

Wait a moment... before McKimson became a director, didn't he animate and do layouts for the Clampett division? Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Yes, McKimson was a very fast, proficient animator under other direcotrs before. But the story has it that there was a political issue going on within Warners that left McKimson stuck with second-string animators and layout artists. Again, there is not ALWAYS the feeling of total integration with the characters and backgrounds in MANY of his Bugs cartoons as stated before. The FOGHORN LEGHORNS are better integrated, however.

[RobEB]

In fact, just about the only one of this period and director I can't stand is "Gorilla My Dreams". Lots of fans love that one, but I think it's incredibly annoying. I just never liked it, it was a sure-fire channel-change inducer for me even as a kid. I thought the gorilla was funnier in "Hurdy Gurdy Hare". Eh, opinions, doc.

I tend to agree with you on GORILLA MY DREAMS, but I think a decent ending would help it's cause greatly. There's some beautiful personality animation, and some funny gags, but that limp ending just kinda ruins the whole cartoon. I'd like to see this one restored, though.

[Semaj]

I really like those cartoons a lot. "Rebel Rabbit" is a great cartoon, and so is "Windblown Hare". McKimson had a real hot streak with his Bugs cartoons from about 1948 until the mid 50's, they were so energetic and funny! Why everyone sweeps him under the rug and lauds the Jones and Freleng Bugs cartoons more is something I'll never understand.

In fact, just about the only one of this period and director I can't stand is "Gorilla My Dreams". Lots of fans love that one, but I think it's incredibly annoying. I just never liked it, it was a  sure-fire channel-change inducer for me even as a kid. I thought the gorilla was funnier in "Hurdy Gurdy Hare". Eh, opinions, doc.

-Matthew

I always thought the early McKimson version of Bugs Bunny was funny, too.

The already mentioned Acrobatty Bunny (1946), Easter Yeggs (1947), The Windblown Hare (1948), and Rebel Rabbit (1949) are all underrated classics.

Some other McKimson Bugs Bunnys I like are What's Up Doc? (1950), Hillbilly Hare (1950), and Rabbit's Kin (1952).

Just like most people, I thought Robert McKimson's best material (in general) came from when he had his brother Charles as his key animator. Since then, McKimson still generated a few good cartoons, even a few that he animated himself (including The Hole Idea (1955)). But when Ted Bonnicksen took over, the animating quality of McKimson's cartoons lost that energy that made his style so good in the first place. Maybe that's why after the WB animation shut down the first time in 1963, he decided to work for DePatie-Freleng instead of creating his own studio (like both Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng did at the time).

[stevea]

Many of the cartoons cited were great... Hillbilly Hare (especailly), Rabbit's Kin. It may be I was picking up on what you all mentioned about backgrounds, for Greyhounded Hare, Hurdy Gurdy Hare, and Rebel Rabbit (although I've always liked Hot Cross Bunny, so who knows?). Rebel Rabbit was always a bad print...I need to give it another look on the Golden Coll (Blue Ribbon and all). Also, Greyhounded Hare was part of a tiny package shown locally here, and I got sick of it (can't say the same about Ali Baba Bunny, though).

I'll admit having a bias toward Chuck Jones, but Freleng has never been one of my favorites. Freleng goes to the same well too often...reused gags, know what I mean? If I see 'Those Endearing Young Charms' gag on the piano/xylophone one more time....!!! (for example)

But I'll probably start some more disagreement when I say I liked Freleng's Speedys better than McKimson's (a common view, I know.)