Some of the gags are old favourites. There’s the “echo” gag (Bugs echoes what the wolf says). There’s the “keeps singing” gag (the wolf keeps singing after Bugs escapes). And there’s the “multi-door” gag, reused some years later in Buccaneer Bunny.
One thing you can’t get from these screen grabs is Friz’ perfect timing as Bugs goes through various doors, the wolf gets there and then reacts. You have to watch the cartoon.
Bugs going up the stairs for the first time is worthy of frame-by-frame study. I really like the exaggeration of Bugs’ leg for emphasis. The same with how his hand is stretched to open the door.
Bugs has a look of delight through this whole scene. He knows he’s putting one over on the threatening wolf.
Here comes the wolf.
Wolf reaction to Bugs coming out the wrong door.
The wolf looks determined.
The wolf reacts again.
The wolf looks determined again.
The wolf reacts again.
The wolf is angered now. Check out the position of Bugs’ ears and how he leans back in anticipation. Some really fine animation.
Manny Perez gets the sole animation credit in this cartoon. Gerry Chiniquy, Dick Bickenbach, Ken Champin and Jack Bradbury would have been in the Freleng unit as well. It was officially released in 1944 but I found an ad for it in a paper at Christmas time 1943. Exchanges didn’t get worked up about when cartoons were actually shown.
Also has some of the best voice-work ever in a Warners' cartoon, between Blanc, Bletcher and Benedaret (Billy's just using his normal Disney Big Bad Wolf voice, but having that voice gleefully singing "Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet" is hysterical).
ReplyDeleteWas Benedaret's voice for Red based on any particular actress at the time? It was an awfully loud voice for her---''ta HAVE!''.
ReplyDeleteI've heard it was Cass Daley, or Martha Raye. Blanc got his first voice credit here.
DeleteReally? Friz thought John Dunn was a better gag writer than Mike Maltese????
ReplyDeleteI dare ANYONE to compare this brilliant short to anything story-boarded by John Dunn!!
To me, this one was always a laugh out loud cartoon.Especially Wolf stomping his foot and singing " Put on your old gray bonnet ".
ReplyDeleteCripes, there can only be one exemplary writer of cartoons? Dunn, Maltese, Foster, et al, were all talented animation scripters, each with their share of gems as well as some "uninspired" efforts. Don't see the point of bashing one to praise another.
ReplyDeleteThe gags, voices and music (don't forget "The 5 O'Clock Whistle" and "They're Either Too Young or Too Old") are all perfect.
ReplyDelete