Buckaroo Bugs

Bugs is particularly cruel in this one. The Red Hot Ryder is a dolt and is one a mission which is valid. When our rabbit gets his hands on him, the lights go out quickly. Bugs is the master of every situation but he uses his superiority for basic cruelty. Interesting use of his talents as he torments this poor guy.

Funny Bugs Bunny short, directed by Bob Clampett, that marked Bugs' official Looney Tunes debut. He had appeared up until this point as part of the Merrie Melodies series. It's also notable for being the final cartoon with an on-screen credit for Leon Schlesinger, who had sold his studio to Warner Bros. that year. It's a great cartoon with lots of wackiness and references to pop culture and topical events of the time, common traits of Bob Clampett's work. It's a western spoof with Bugs as a carrot thief called the Masked Marauder being pursued by "Brooklyn's famous fighting cowboy," Red Hot Ryder. Red Hot Ryder is a dimwit, of course, and Bugs outsmarts him at every turn. Many funny gags and lines, beautiful animation, and exciting music are what makes this one great. It's fun to watch Bugs in the earlier cartoons when he was more aggressive and, frankly, mean.

When the West was won, pioneers settle down to make their homes. However one such town is ravaged by the Masked Marauder, a thief who robs the gardens of their carrots. One man is called in to stop the thief – the Red Hot Ryder. However will he be enough to stop Bugs?

The weakness in this cartoon is the normal one in average Bugs cartoons – lack of a really good foil, in fact Bugs himself describes Red Hot Ryder as `a fugitive from the funny papers'. However despite the slightly dopey sidekick, Bugs doing his usual stuff is more than enough to make the cartoon funny. He totally confuses Red and it is very funny to watch.

Red is OK but he isn't up to the standard of the other cowboy character (who I expected to be in this) and all he does is be a bit silly and dopey. It speaks volumes that I actually laughed more at his horse than I did at his antics. Bugs is on good form though and he keeps everything moving really well.

Overall this is further proof that Bugs is best with a strong sidekick but that he can make a cartoon work even without one. Very funny short with Bugs' usual wit and attitude.

I'm wondering how the Devil they got this cartoon past the censors. Of course,the seldom shown ALL THIS AND RABBIT STEW also had Bugs stripping a hunter nude,but at least that one was hiding behind a bush.

You might notice that the most obvious things a magnet can steal--- Red Hot Ryder's GUNS--mysteriously disappear just before the magnet goes to town on him---on both occasions.

I'd love to see the magnet scenes in slow-motion camera.

Ryder DID get to use the "Whoa,Horsie!" bit a few years before Yosemite Sam made it his own special gag.

And remember--Ryder yelling WHOA! As they fall into The Grand Canyon;as if he could somehow defy the law of gravity.

Buckaroo Bugs is a thoroughly entertaining Bugs Bunny cartoon. My only problem was that Red while he is voiced brilliantly and has some nice juicy dialogue comes off weak and silly as a character. Buckaroo Bugs is entertaining for primarily a rootin' tootin' performance from my favourite rabbit(or wabbit as Elmer would say) if there ever was one. Bugs is well supported by some rapid razor sharp dialogue, wonderful visual gags, great animation and a corker of a score with the William Tell Overture played to perfect use. And Mel Blanc? What can I say about this truly talented guy? I know I keep going on about him, but he does deserve credit for bringing these truly wonderful toon characters to life and and being funny in the process. Overall, near-perfect as a cartoon, that is lots of fun. 9/10 Bethany Cox