Frigid Hare

I have the "Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection" and this is one of many cartoons in the set. However, before seeing this one in the set, I can't recall having seen it for decades. IMDb explains that the way that the Inuit native is shown in this one was seen as offensive--and it was removed from circulation. Well, apparently it's not longer that politically incorrect and was included in the set.

The film begins with a familiar scene--with Bugs tunneling to one place but ending up in another by mistake. While he's headed to Miami, somehow he's ended up near Antarctica (where there are NO Inuits!). Soon he sees a cute little penguin being chased by the hungry native and Bugs decides to intervene. However, he does NOT want to adopt a penguin and soon leaves the creature--but returns when the native is about to eat the bird. So, Bugs pulls out his usual set of tricks (including dressing up as a woman) and gets the better of the dumb Inuit hunter...who should be living near the Arctic!

As with any Bugs Bunny cartoon from this era, the animation is exceptional and the film is full of laughs.

Frigid Hare (1949)

*** (out of 4)

Jack Warner gives Bugs Bunny two weeks vacation so the rabbit begins digging for Miami Beach but takes a wrong turn and ends up at the South Pole. Once there he gets involved with a small penguin who is being hunted by an eskimo. Some will probably be offended by the nature of the Eskimo because of how he's drawn and some of the dialogue thrown at him but we must remember the times that this was made. With that out of the way, this remains a cute and charming short but it's certainly not a classic. The relationship between Bugs and the penguin is pretty cute and there are plenty of laughs to keep the thing moving. The action sequences aren't as violent as you might expect and the final gag is a good one.

Having once again taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque, Bugs Bunny tunnels to Antarctica in this entertaining Chuck Jones short. The story has Bugs trying to help a little penguin being hunted by a very unpleasant Eskimo. The big selling point to this one is the adorable penguin, whose little waddle will make even the most cold-hearted among us smile. The scene where the penguin rescues Bugs from a fall is something only Chuck Jones could think of. There are laughs to be had, for sure, but this is one of those shorts that's heavy on the cute factor. The animation is great with well-drawn characters and backgrounds and nice colors. Carl Staling's music is lively and fun. Mel Blanc's voice work is flawless. It's a good cartoon but not something everybody will enjoy. If you don't like cartoons with cute characters like Tweety and Pussyfoot, you probably won't like this.

Bugs must be some digger. He digs a hole through the earth and pops out with his sun tan, lotion, bathing suit, beach umbrella, etc., thinking he's reached his destination: Miami Beach.

Unfortunately, he's at the South Pole which he doesn't discover until he takes a plunge into the icy waters. Within seconds he almost gets run over by a little penguin whizzing by, followed by a huge Eskimo. Later, the little penguin comes by while Bugs is ready to go back in his hole and try again for Miami Beach. He dresses the penguin up with a top and tie to go with the rest of his looks. When Bugs dives back, the penguin follows. This happens several times. Apparently, he has made a new friend, but Bugs wants none of that. He boots the penguin down an icy sloop but watches as the Eskimo captures him in his burlap bag.

Oh, well, says Bugs, who walks back to his hole. "It's none of my business. I'm not my penguin's keeper." However, in a flash he pops back up, his conscience obviously getting the better of him, and goes back to rescue the little guy. Bugs stops for a second, turns to the camera and speaks to us: the audience, admonishing us for thinking Bugs wouldn't do the right thing!

Bugs then dons a disguise, gets the Eskimo's attention....and the chase is on. From that point on, there's some pretty funny stuff, visually and dialog-wise with Bug's wisecracks

Bugs Bunny is headed to Miami beach, but took another wrong turn at Albuquerque. He ends up at the South Pole. He saves a small penguin by misdirecting an Eskimo hunter. He becomes responsible for the little one and has to save the kid again from the hunter.

I like the little penguin although this is not its best cartoon. I always love the penguin crying little ice cubes. I would change out the Eskimo hunter and replace him with a polar bear. Neither makes real world sense, but that doesn't matter. This is solid Bugs Bunny. It is not the best, but it still works very well. Bugs is always good.