Un lapin à Manhattan

Friz Freleng's 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' starts out with a promising premise and then reverts to a straightforward and largely uninspired chase picture. Opening as a Celebrity Lives TV show which interviews Bugs Bunny about his early years, 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' virtually abandons this idea immediately for a chase between Bugs and a tough street dog. Although this is meant to take place during Bugs's formative years, there's really nothing to distinguish it from the average Bugs Bunny cartoon. There's a few nice little moments here and there but 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' is nothing special at all. Robert McKimson would take a better (if not entirely successful) stab at Bugs's life story in 'What's Up Doc?', which at least ran with its original concept instead of lapsing into predictable antics which render the opening sequence entirely insignificant.

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.

The famous Bugs Bunny, the much loved and adored movie star, is interviewed at his Hollywood home.He tells about his life, starting from when he was just a little bunny in Manhattan.And then he tells about his encounter with the dogs.Guess who wins.A Hare Grows in Manhattan (1947) is directed by Friz Freleng.Mel Blanc is the voice of Bugs Bunny, as usual.Bea Benaderet is Lola Beverly.Dogs' voices are provided by Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce.It's most amusing to watch the singing and tap dancing Bugs Bunny.And the way he fools the dogs.Like the dog pile on the rabbit, except that Bugs isn't at the bottom of that pile.Just classic Bugs!

Bugs Bunny now a big star in LA tells gossip columnist Lola Beverly of his humble beginnings growing up in New York in particular facing a gang of street tough dogs. Of course outwitting these canine ruffians is no problem for young Bugs. This short is fairly humorous if nothing special, Bugs doesn't even have to use his razor sharp wit in this one as the dogs are pretty much on the dumb side. That being said, it was STILL a Bugs cartoon and I find myself entertained by every short of his just because of that (unless the shorts happens to be directed by Robert McKimson). This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 set.

My Grade: B-

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.