Release Date:

August 26, 1944

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny

Summary:

Bugs Bunny is the “Masked Marauder”, a notorious thief who steals carrots from victory gardens. The only person capable of catching him is the world’s stupidest cowboy, Red Hot Ryder, who obviously proves to be no match for Bugs.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 7-14, the 7th Looney Tune in the 14th release season. Incidentally, this is also the first Bugs Bunny cartoon to be a Looney Tune, as all previous Bugs Bunny cartoons were Merrie Melodies.

Hard to believe we’re here, but this is the last ever cartoon to be produced by Leon Schlesinger, who retired in the summer of 1944.

This is a very rare instance where Bugs is in the antagonistic role (“Fresh Hare” is another example). However, it’s not a problem because the cartoon is absolutely hilarious.

This cartoon and Jones’ “Hare Conditioned” (1945) are the only Bugs Bunny cartoons to end with the Porky drum ending.

Red Hot Ryder is a spoof of “Red Ryder” and is also based on the Red Skelton character “Sheriff Deadeye”.

Ryder also foreshadows Yosemite Sam, in that they both have red hair (even though Ryder is clean-shaven) as well as animals who don’t comply to the command of “Whoa!”

This is the first cartoon to have animation from Basil Davidovich, who would animate briefly for both Clampett and Jones, and would also be one of Arthur Davis’ main animators throughout his directorial stint in the late 1940’s. Davidovich would eventually become a layout artist for Disney, working on several features such as “101 Dalmatians” (1961).

What I Like About This One:

Shown with camera pans and guns blazing in the dark, voices are heard asking if the Masked Marauder robbed all the money in the bank, but since it’s Bugs, he instead stole all the carrots from the victory gardens.

To the tune of the William Tell Overture finale, Ryder comes in with his unwhoable horse who won’t listen to Ryder’s pleas to whoa, and the only way he can be stopped is by Ryder pulling a large club out of his pants and crowning the horse with it (animated by Manny Gould)

Deciding to play cops and robbers (“He’ll be the cop and I’ll be the bad wittle wobber!”; animated by Robert McKimson), Bugs pulls up a bandit mask over his mouth and puts Ryder at carrot-point (rather than gunpoint), threatening “Stick ‘em up or I’ll blow your brains out!” Not knowing this is supposed to be a threat, Ryder politely answers, “Well now that’s mighty neighborly of ya!” Bugs then pulls out a magnet to rob Ryder of every one of his possessions that’s metal (animated by Rod Scribner). These include coins, bullets, Ryder’s badge, and the buckle on Ryder’s belt, the last of which causes his pants to fall down (animated by McKimson). Bugs tops it off with a loud “BANG!” and pulls Ryder’s hat down over him (animated by Scribner).

Realizing this was the Masked Marauder, Ryder meets Bugs unmasked and asks him if he’s seen the Masked Marauder. Bugs asks him with all the obvious questions like what type of mask he wears, how he sticks you up, and how he robs you (animated by Scribner), repeating the magnet gag, where this time it’s not only revealed that Ryder is wearing a diaper underneath but the magnet also pulls out the gold fillings in his teeth. After Bugs concludes with the same “BANG!” and hat pulling, Ryder confirms “Yep, that’s him, all right”. Bugs says he hasn’t seen him, and upon hearing a train whistle for the 5:15, asks Ryder to excuse him for a bit (animated by McKimson). When it sounds like Bugs is robbing a train, he’s actually behind a rock and faking it with the objects that have the appropriate sound effects (animated by Scribner).

Coming back with several items rationed during World War II, Bugs claims “The Masked Marauder just robbed the 5:15!” and points Ryder in the wrong direction. Ryder then jumps on to his horse, who takes off immediately with Ryder not going anywhere as he actually jumped on to a hitching post. While Ryder’s bragging about “riding sidesaddle”, the horse walks up to him and drums his fingers in annoyance as if to say, “Are you kidding me, right now!?” When Ryder realizes his error, the horse repeatedly punches him and then for no reason at all, pours glue on to his saddle before sticking Ryder on it (animated by Basil Davidovich).

Bugs tripping the horse causing him and Ryder to crash (animated by McKimson). He then disguises as an elderly mailman delivering a telegram written by the Masked Marauder addressed to Ryder. It reads, “Roses are red, violets are pink, flowers smell good, but you sure s-” The last word has its remaining letters covered up by a black censored bar (animated by Gould). Ryder suspiciously asks, “I sure WHAT?” Bugs shouts at the top of his voice, “STINK, YOU FOOL! STINK!” (animated by McKimson)

Giving Ryder and his horse misdirections once more, Bugs tricks them into jumping across several canyons before getting them to try and jump over the Grand Canyon (animated by Davidovich). Once they realize they’re plummeting, they desperately try to get back to the cliff, but Bugs blows air at them, causing them to fall deep into the ground (animated by Gould). In complete darkness, Ryder realizes, “Hey, you know what, horsey? I believe our friend was really the Masked Marauder!” Bugs pops in with a candle and shouts, “That’s right! That’s right! You win the $64 question!” before mockingly saying, “Good night, sweet prince!”, giving Ryder a wacky kiss and blowing the candle out (animated by McKimson).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕