Bewitched Bunny

I liked the cartoons that featured Bugs and Witch Hazel--in this case she is voiced by Bea Benaderet while in others she's voiced by June Foray. I think that I actually liked this one best because of its depiction of Hansel and Gretel. They are pretty much simple-minded nincompoops that are completely oblivious to the impending danger. All they want to do is eat and they are just plain silly fun to watch. They are only saved by the intervention of Bugs who FINALLY convinces them to run away while he does battle with the evil witch. While the animation of this cartoon isn't the best, the story is a delight and it's a wonderful version of the old Grimm fairy tale.

The very first cartoon featuring Witch Hazel, a hilarious character who appeared in several Bugs Bunny shorts. This one begins with Bugs reading the story of Hansel and Gretel when he happens upon the real thing as Witch Hazel is luring two little fat kids inside her house to eat them. Bugs decides to save the kids, which puts him in the crosshairs of kooky old Hazel. A funny short with great characters, directed by the always-amazing Chuck Jones. Superior voice work from Mel Blanc and Bea Benaderet. Fun music from Carl Stalling. The animation is colorful and crisp, although the backgrounds are that sketchy style Jones seemed to prefer sometimes. Creatively I suppose there's nothing wrong with it but it just seems a little lazy to me. Anyway it's a terrific cartoon with many funny gags and lines. Love the bit where Prince Charming wanders into the wrong cartoon. Gotta appreciate the non-PC ending.

As he's reading the book "Hansel and Gretel", Bugs Bunny is walking to that very house in which the story is taking place. So he disguises himself as a truant officer to warn the kids but then Witch Hazel has another idea what she wants for her supper...Directed by Chuck Jones this cartoon has all the visual touches you expect from his works during this period in the '50s. And, of course, all the visual and verbal gags that could only come from the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies gang at Warner Bros. Nice voice work from Bea Benaderet as Hazel and, of course, Mel Blanc as Bugs. This one has the original closing line that got some complaints. Personally, I found nothing wrong with it even though it may not hold water today. So that's a recommendation of Bewitched Bunny.

What can I say about Bewitched Bunny that hasn't been said already? The cartoon is wonderful, a very clever and somewhat cute take on Hansel and Gretel. The animation is lush, with lovely backgrounds and colours, while the music is playful and has plenty of energy. The humour is actually very clever and has a darkly humorous touch to it, this is all reflected in the dialogue. Then there are the characters. Bugs is a delight here, and he is always watchable, and the kids are cute and funny. Witch Hazel stole the show though, Bea Beanderet(in alternative to June Foray, who I marginally preferred) does a wonderful job with the voice. And Mel Blanc is also wonderful, well he always is, so it was not surprising. Overall, cute, funny and clever. 10/10 Bethany Cox

In Witch Hazel's first appearance, she tempts Hansel (Hansel?) and Gretel into her house, only to have Bugs Bunny intervene; of course, he might be just as tasty. If absolutely nothing else, it's always great to see the various and sundry tricks that Bugs comes up with on the spot - always helped, natch, by the fact that any useful substance is immediately at hand. If "Bewitched Bunny" has any problem, it's that the cartoon sort of stereotypes Germans (the children have accents like the characters in "Fargo"). But no matter, this cartoon is purely a joke, and it's impossible not to like. I'd say that Witch Hazel, with her lovable cackling, did as much to advance the cause of witchcraft as Harry Potter or Samantha on "Bewitched". A real classic.