Baby Buggy Bunny

Chuck Jones' 'Baby Buggy Bunny' is a funny cartoon with a nice concept which never quite reaches the levels of hilarity you feel it should. Bank robber Baby Face Finster disguises himself as a real baby in order to retrieve his stolen money from Bugs Bunny's rabbit hole. Adopted by an unwitting Bugs, he goes to violent lengths to liberate his cash from the rabbit. The best part of 'Baby Buggy Bunny' is the first section in which a surprisingly easily duped Bugs is brutalised by Finster who reverts back to baby mode whenever Bugs questions it. However, the sequence where Bugs turns the tables after catching Finster shaving is far too short and unfunny. By the time Bugs catches Finster shaving, it's already too late in the cartoon for him to do much in retaliation. His revenge really needed to be as brutal as Finster's treatment of him had been to achieve a satisfactory laugh level. Instead, he quickly turns him over to the police and the cartoon simply peters out with a below par wisecrack. 'Baby Buggy Bunny' was one of my favourite cartoons as a child and I still enjoy it today, only now it also leaves me with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Ah now this one's a classic! Directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese, it's the story of Babyface Finster (aka Ant Hill Harry), a bank robber who evades capture by pretending to be a baby. Because he's so tiny, you see. It's a great gag that's made all the funnier when you see a shirtless tattooed 'baby' smoking a cigar and shaving. Babyface loses his loot, which promptly falls into Bugs' rabbit hole. Bugs thinks he's rich but Babyface has a plan to get it back. Wonderfully stylish animation with great colors and nicely-drawn action. Mel Blanc's voice work is flawless as ever. Whimsical music from Milt Franklyn. It's just a fun cartoon from start to finish with some particularly nice animation. One of my favorite Bugs shorts from Chuck Jones.

Baby Buggy Bunny does start off a little dull but once Bugs and Finster are together, it is quite a different kettle of fish. It is well animated, the characters are well drawn and there are some colourful backgrounds, and the music is great as always. The pacing isn't as secure as it is in other Looney Tunes cartoons, but it moves quite briskly, and the dialogue is witty and furiously delivered, likewise with the very amusing sight gags. Bugs is still the very likable character I fell in love with when I was little, and Finster is a cute, dangerous and funny adversary. The ending also was satisfying, with a very funny last line from Bugs, and Mel Blanc is superb with his vocals. Overall, very funny and cute, starts off dull but it picks up considerably. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Baby Buggy Bunny (1954)

*** (out of 4)

Cute, if not exceptionally funny short, has Bugs Bunny becoming a father but what he doesn't know is that his new "kid" is actually a gangster who just got done robbing a bank. I know many cartoon buffs considering this a masterpiece but to me it's only a good film that just doesn't have enough laughs to be considered a classic. The biggest problem for me is the kid, Finster. I just don't find him cute, tough or even funny. The early stuff with his acting the part of the child was incredibly dull to me and the short doesn't really pick up until Bugs realizes who he is and makes him pay for it. The sit of Bugs shaking the baby is somewhat deranged to watch but that's what makes it funny.

35 year old harden criminal Baby-faced Finster robs a bank despite looking like a baby. He puts the money in his stroller, but it rolls into Bugs Bunny's rabbit hole. Finster pretends to be an abandoned baby to get into Bugses' home. Bugs takes in the baby and has to battle the surprising guest.

This is another classic for Bugs Bunny. Finster is a great character. I love the look as both a baby and as a hairy criminal. I love it when he is rocking the high chair to get closer to his money. Bugs is simply working at his top gear. This is one of the best of the golden age of Bugs Bunny cartoon.