Bugs and Genie

Jim Backus played a character named Hubert Updyke III, the richest man in the world, on radio comedy shows. Backus got laughs aplenty; eventually this character formed the basis of Thurston Howell III on Gilligan’s Island.

Writer Warren Foster and director Bob McKimson decided it would be funny to use Updyke’s attitude and catchphrases, and put them—and Backus’ voice—into a genie in the Bugs Bunny cartoon A-Lad-In His Lamp (released in 1948).

The early McKimson cartoons are filled with arm-waving and varied expressions. This cartoon doesn’t disappoint. Bugs is debating to himself about what wish he wants the genie to grant him. The genie keeps interrupting him before even revealing what he wants. Finally, Bugs has made a decision, which is stopped in mid-sentence by the genie saying “Heavens to Gimbels, no!” (This was an Updyke catchphrase). Here are some random frames to show how appealing McKimson’s shorts could be.



“Now cut it out!” yells Bugs. Multiples and floppy tongue.



Whether this is a Manny Gould scene, I don’t know, but Gould loved floppy tongues and he animated on this cartoon. Gould may not have loved Bob McKimson; he was gone by the time this cartoon was released, working for Jerry Fairbanks on “Speaking of Animals” shorts.

The other credited animators are Chuck McKimson, Phil De Lara and John Carey.

This cartoon deserves to be restored for home video.