Broom-Stick Bunny

For Witch Hazel (who's all gleeful cackling and flying hairpins) there's nothing more satisfying than being reassured (by the Genie in the magic mirror) that she is, indeed, the ugliest one of all.

Yep. There's no bigger compliment than that for this snaggle-toothed old hag.

And, so (on Halloween night) when an even uglier little witch comes a-knocking at her door (hollering out "Trick or Treat!") you can be darn certain that old Witch Hazel is gonna do everything within the wickedness of her power to reclaim, once again, that crown of supreme ugliness for herself.

Anyway - (IMO) - "Broom-Stick Bunny" may have been a "Bugs Bunny" cartoon, first and foremost - But, with that aside - It was, without question, Witch Hazel (and all of her hysterical histrionics) that stole the show here, over, and over again.

Witch Hazel is having some insecurity issues about getting prettier as she grows older and asks her magic mirror if she is still the ugliest witch of them all. The mirror reassures her that she is. That is until a trick-or-treating Bugs Bunny (dressed as a witch) shows up at her house. The mirror then tells Hazel that Bugs is uglier, which just doesn't sit well with our favorite witch. Colorful animation, if a little sketchy for my tastes. Lively music from Milt Franklyn. Wonderful voice work from legends June Foray and Mel Blanc. It's a very funny short with great characters. Probably my favorite Witch Hazel cartoon.

Broom-Stick Bunny (1956)

*** (out of 4)

Witch Hazel is at home on Halloween proud as can be since she's the ugliest woman around. Then there's a knock at the door where another ugly witch is but it turns out to be Bugs Bunny in an outfit. The real witch then decides she needs some rabbit to complete her next meal. This is a pretty good entry with Bugs being at the top of his game and Hazel being a pretty good villain. I'm sure the film could have thrown in more homages to other "scary" type of films but that's just a small issue. Bugs gets a lot of good lines but the real charm of the film belongs to Hazel are her dire need of being ugly. The twist ending is a very nice one and gets the biggest laugh of the film.

I agree with the preceding poster: those tears are genuinely moving. We all know Bugs as a trickster, a heckler and a very smart guy who outwits anyone who tries to encroach on his life, but to know him as someone who could actually be frightened for once...wow!!! A silly 7 minute cartoon and yet I still cry when I see that scene. Even Witch Hazel, who is about to murder the bunny with a huge ax so she can mix him into her caldron, begins to cry!!! Thankfully, the heavy emotions go pouf!!! when Bugs tries to comfort the weeping hag with the tea she made. She turns into a hottie witch and the Magic Mirror Man goes after her with lust!!!

A real classic!!!

It is Halloween. Bugs Bunny goes trick or treating at Witch Hazel's house. She prides herself as being the ugliest one of all. When the mirror spots Bugs in a witch mask, it proclaims Bugs to be uglier than her. Bugs takes off his mask. She realizes that she needs a rabbit for her brew.

This is an absolute classic and I absolutely love it. I love it all although I missed something while watching it as a child. I don't think that I realized she is actually trying to be ugly. That is even more funnier. It is a great twist to the classic fairy tale. Hazel is a great character and great with Bugs.