What's Up Doc?

In this short, Bugs tells the story of his life from the day he was born right up until his discovery in Hollywood and subsequent stardom. It isn't really funny as Bugs doesn't have anyone to work with for most of the cartoon. There are a couple of scenes with Elmer Fudd but he doesn't do or say much. And the running joke with the chorus dancers in the tuxedos wasn't all that amusing. I was also a bit annoyed at the end because not only is it not funny but it isn't true.

I've seen better Bugs cartoons than this. Though I must say the title song is very cool (used in many of 'Rabbit/Duck season' cartoons with Bugs, Daffy and Elmer). It just seems weird using it without having Daffy anywhere in sight.

The Disassociated Press wants Bugs Bunny's life story. Got a pencil? "First," says Bugs, "I was born." He quickly learns he is different from the other children: he's a "rabbit in a human world." He grows up to accept repetitive chorus boy jobs in such Broadway revues as "Girl of the Golden Vest," "Wearing of the Grin" and "Rosie's Cheeks." His career hits the skids and he's living on a park bench before he's discovered by that great vaudeville star, Elmer Fudd. Their dual comedy act is a hit, which leads to film roles. Will Bugs Bunny ever have to look back?

The director of this picture, Robert McKimson, is rated low among cartoon fans, and I think rightly so. But this film is a delight, especially Bugs's and Elmer's swinging musical number, "What's Up, Doc?" Here is McKimson at his rare best.

Other treats include caricatures of Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby, (and Elmer's crack at their expense); and funny bits from Bugs's and Elmer's comedy act.

This cartoon is included in the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume One," Disc 1.

Before Hollywood biographies centered on drug abuse and such things, "What's Up Doc?" portrayed Bugs Bunny telling his life story from childhood - "I knew I was different, and then it hit me: I was a rabbit in a human world." - up to his career in entertainment. However, it seems like there's a little less in this cartoon than the Looney Tunes cartoons usually showed. But I'd say that it's strength lies in its portrayal of the lack of employment in Hollywood (which I've heard is actually around 95%), and how it forces individuals into self-degrading work. I always get the feeling that whenever the Termite Terrace crowd made cartoons spoofing Tinseltown, they were probably basing the cartoons on their personal experiences. Maybe I can't prove that, but I just get that feeling.

So, it's not the greatest cartoon, but worth seeing. I don't know whether or not you're rooting for me, so now I have to go.

What's Up Doc has Bugs Bunny in Hollywood. Hard to fathom? Well, Bugs himself refers to this in the beginning, while he is conversing on the telephone with the press. He narrates his life story by saying how 'different' he was from others when he was born. Not only was he a bunny, but he was also a prodigy, playing the toddler piano like Mozart and then stepping it to Broadway. His 'meteoric' rise involves repetition of performances in various shows, which brings him fame and the moment he tries a one-act performance, his career takes a wrong turn. He becomes depressed and aloof till Elmer Fudd notices him and the two form an alliance.

'What's Up Doc?' has some sparkling moments- the 'talk, it's your nickel' joke, the 'first I was born' opening, the desperate attempts made the other struggling actors when Elmer enters and the ironic ending. 'Singin' in the Rain' may have been inspired by this short- however the film is a masterpiece. This short's main problem is that it's a short, so it does not really justify its title to a great extent. It tries to cover too much in its short run length- which proves to be a double edged sword for WUD?.

The animation however is quite superior, and the production is commendable. 'Duck Amuck's' animation is comparatively inferior, however the plot was apt for a short. A thirty minute film for What's up Doc? would do it more justice.

I read a number of reviews that found the film to be boring and unfunny; I found the film to be a brave and somewhat visionary attempt considering the year it was made. And Bugs Bunny is just adorable. My Rating: 8/10

Robert McKimson is one of the "other" Warner Brothers directors, after the Big Four-Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett. While nowhere near as innovative, with work that varied sometimes wildly in quality, he was probably the most solid of the other directors and this was one of his best efforts and an excellent addition to the Bugs Bunny efforts. The scene in the park is marvelously done! Wonderful short that deserves to be seen. Most highly recommended.