The Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies
series has been responsible for a vast array of cartoon classics, many of
which have been heralded for their artistic detail, impressive voiceover work,
unique expression and near-perfect comic timing. However, a great number of
classic shorts have been somewhat neglected in recent years, with many of them
becoming forgotten mini-masterpieces due to the lack of an appropriate home
video release. None of the following shorts have been released on DVD or
Blu-Ray in the UK, although two of them have been quietly released as part of
the Platinum Collection in the United States. In any case, all of the following
were surprisingly omitted from the more impressive ‘best of’ Golden Collection
DVD series which ran from 2003 to 2008. What follows is a small list of
neglected classics and personal favourites that, in my opinion, have not been
done a just service since the inception of the restored DVD releases.
A-Lad-in
His Lamp (1948): Directed by Robert McKimson, this short's lack
of attention in recent years can likely be attributed to its racial humour.
While there's nothing overly distasteful, it is likely regarded as politically
incorrect and as such is unlikely to see a release any time soon. Its rarity is
a shame, however, because while it's hardly an exceptional cartoon, it is
noteworthy for featuring the vocals of Jim Backus as Smokey the Genie, who went
on to voice Mr Magoo for UPA. The villain, Caliph Hassan Pfeffer, has since
made a cameo in PlayStation One game Bugs
Bunny and Taz Time Busters (2000), while Smokey was bizarrely chosen as the
presenter of the videogame Looney Tunes
Racing (2000) and even doubled up as a playable character, despite the
cartoon's obscurity since the mid-1990s.
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| "I'm here! I'm here!" |
Hare-Way to the Stars (1958): Released in 1958, Bugs Bunny's third outing with alien antagonist Marvin the Martian (by then only having been given the distinctly un-catchy title 'Commander of Flying Saucer X-2') has surprisingly been omitted from a great number of home video releases, despite being regarded by many as the quintessential Bunny-Martian 'toon. Aside from the fact that Marvin the Martian appeared in only five shorts in the golden age (this being his penultimate appearance), the cartoon's absence from such 'best of' sets as the Golden Collection (which contains more than 300 shorts in total) is quite remarkable considering the impact the cartoon has had, not only on the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies series itself, but on popular culture generally. The infamous quote 'where's the ka-boom?' is derived from this cartoon - the quote did indeed originate in Marvin's first cartoon Haredevil Hare (1948), but his vocals were notably very different on this occasion. Hare-Way to the Stars is also much more tightly written, and the characters are noticeably more well-rounded. It has also regularly been referenced in a variety of Looney Tunes media, and even inspired an entire era in the 1999 PlayStation One release Bugs Bunny Lost in Time, as well as serving as the basis for a number of levels in other Looney Tunes videogames including Looney Tunes Racing (2001), Sheep Raider (2001) and ACME Arsenal (2007). Although the short has been surprisingly neglected in recent years, it should be noted that it was included in its entirety in the 1979 compilation film The Bugs Bunny/Road-Runner Movie, and is currently available as part of the Platinum Collection on Blu-Ray - although these are not available worldwide.
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| "Where's the ka-boom?" |
Beanstalk
Bunny (1955): Another neglected Chuck Jones classic, Beanstalk Bunny continues the Bunny-Duck-Fudd series in an
interesting and original take on a classic, done-to-death fairy-tale. While the
concept might initially seem as though it’s covering familiar territory, being
as this is certainly not the first time the Looney
Tunes series has put its own spin on the story, the comedy and sheer timing
of the short is pure gold. Arguably the highlight of the cartoon is Daffy and
Bugs’ communication beneath a giant glass – none of which is audible from the
audience’s perspective outside of the glass. It’s a perfect example of the hilarious
character-driven humour, well-timed visuals and priceless expression that ranks
Chuck Jones as my all-time favourite Looney
Tunes director. Excluding this masterpiece from the Golden Collection was a
giant mistake.
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| "..." |
Captain
Hareblower (1954): In a sense, this cartoon represents the last in
Friz Freleng’s three-part series which sees Bugs Bunny pitted against Pirate
(Yosemite) Sam. Alternatively, it could be seen as a remake or ‘reimagining’ of
1948’s Buccaneer Bunny, particularly
due to its reuse of the concluding gag which sees Bugs repeatedly toss a match
into the gunpowder magazine, and Sam refusing to go after it. The reuse of gags
was actually fairly common, and in that respect it’s possible that this short
is seen as somewhat uninspired compared to its predecessors in the series. In
my opinion, however, Captain Hareblower rectifies
the flaws of the series’ previous entries, and the writing is much tighter by
comparison. The cartoon was later edited into the 1983 compilation film Daffy Duck’s Movie: Fantastic Island,
while Sam’s ‘pirate’ alter ego remains inspired by his appearance in this
cartoon across contemporary Looney Tunes media.
Perhaps, in this case, my opinion is biased in the sense that it was one of the
first Looney Tunes shorts I ever saw,
or maybe I’m just a sucker for Sam, but over time it has never lost its bite.
Its exclusion from a great number of home video ‘best of’ releases is a true
shame, as Captain Hareblower sees the
Pirate Sam series go out with a bang.
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| "Surrender, rabbit! I've got you outnumbered, one to one!" |
The Hasty
Hare (1952): Marvin the Martian’s general lack of attention in the Golden
Collection is worth mentioning, even if not all of the five cartoons in which
he starred in during the golden age are otherwise particularly noteworthy.
Chuck Jones’ The Hasty Hare is a good
cartoon – and there’s little else that can be said about it. It’s far from the
worst; it’s funny and, as usual, a very witty outing for the little Martian,
who, accompanied by his dog K-9, is tasked with finding and retrieving an Earth
creature, who of course turns out to be Bugs Bunny. Otherwise, it’s also far
from the best cartoon in the series, not helped by its mediocre ending, which
is particularly rushed, but it is notable for being the only short in which
Marvin the Martian visits Earth. It is also notable for featuring the second
and last appearance of K-9, who first appeared in 1948’s Haredevil Hare. In my opinion, this cartoon features the only
appearance of K-9 as he is represented today, whereas his first appearance was
more of a prototype with a goofy voice – here he is the perfect silent
sidekick, and even complements Marvin’s presence. In that respect, despite the
strong writing petering out a little by its conclusion, this short remains
distinctly memorable for these reasons alone, and its exclusion from a lot of
home video releases since the 1990s, though forgivable, is nonetheless
surprising.
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| "You have made me very angry!" |
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