Release Date:

May 5, 1945

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam

Summary:

Bugs Bunny is heading west on the train, the “Super Chief”, which is held up by Yosemite Sam. For the first time, Sam realizes this is a varmint that can’t he outsmart.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 9-14, the 9th Merrie Melodie in the 14th release season.

This is the first appearance of Yosemite Sam, who would become the second most popular Looney Tunes character that is a human, following Elmer Fudd. Freleng had created Sam as he wanted to create a tough antagonist for Bugs, as he thought Elmer was too stupid to be a convincing foil. Sam would prove to be quite a versatile character as he would be cast as several other roles most notably cast as either a cowboy or a pirate.

This is the first cartoon of several other things: the first cartoon to have the full slate of credits with all key people working on the cartoon credited (the directors were now also given their own separate title card), the first cartoon to use the 1945-1955 Merrie Melodies opening theme, the first cartoon to have the new animation by Arthur Davis of Bugs eating a carrot and leaning on the WB shield before pulling down either the Merrie Melodies or Looney Tunes title card, and the first cartoon to use the “Bugs Bunny in:” title card where Bugs leans across the letters in his name while eating a carrot.

According to Jerry Beck’s 2003 book, “Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide”, other names considered for Sam were “Texas Tiny”, “Wyoming Willie”, and “Denver Dan”.

Mel Blanc claimed that Sam was the toughest voice to do as he once said, “Imagine screaming at the top of your lungs for a half hour”.

The title is a pun for “hair trigger”.

The live action stock footage in the saloon car is taken from the 1939 movie, “Dodge City”.

What I Like About This One:

The rendition of “Cheyenne” over the opening credits.

The train whistling and backfiring to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”.

Bugs singing “Go Get the Axe” while sitting in the mail car (animated by Ken Champin).

Hearing a “yoo-hoo” outside, Bugs puts on a pair of shades and sees several rabbits outside (now that Bugs is an unquestioned mega-cartoon star at this point, it’s likely he donned the shades so they wouldn’t recognize him). Bugs confides, “Eh, a few of my poor relations. They’re always ready for a touch” (animated by Champin).

Sam makes his grand entrance by standing on the tracks with his guns ready to fire, but he is so small, the train passes right over him! He also has to use a stepladder to get onto his horse! (animated by Champin)

Getting onto the train, Sam says the typical stick-up dialogue: “Your money or your life!” to the mail clerk, who seals himself in a box and puts a “Don’t Open Till Xmas” sticker on it (animated by Champin).

While stuffing things into a bag, Sam unknowingly puts Bugs in there and meets him for the first time when he asks, “What’s up, doc?” Judging by Sam’s voice, Bugs assumes he must be Jesse James. Sam scoffs that everybody knows him as he’s “Yosemite Sam, the meanest, toughest, rip-roaringest Edward Everett Horton-est hombre what ever packed a six-shooter!” Bugs tells him there’s a guy in another car who claims to be tougher than Sam and has a seven-shooter to prove it (animated by Champin)

The guy Bugs was referring to was himself as Sam finds Bugs dressed as a cowboy in the other car and claiming “I be” when Sam asks him if he’s the mean hombre who’s hankering for a heap of trouble. Coming face to face for a shoot-out, Sam gives Bugs “one second to draw a gun”, so Bugs pulls out a pad of paper and literally draws a picture of a gun. Impressed, Sam attempts to draw a gun himself but erases it in frustration several times, and tells Bugs at one point, “Quit lookin’ over my shoulder, it bothers me!” When Sam believes he has perfected it, he shows Bugs who acts like he’s impressed but then insults it by telling him, “It stinks!” (animated by Virgil Ross)

Bugs going behind a curtain but when Sam opens it (animated by Ross), he sees Bugs dressed up like a woman showering and then screaming as if there’s a peeping tom (animated by Champin).

Opening the door to the club car, Bugs sees live-action footage of people dancing and having a good time. “Now that’s what I call deluxe accommodations!”, he says (animated by Manuel Perez).

Bugs and Sam then have a shoot out in the passenger seats of the diner car with Bugs’ bullets waiting for Sam to peek up from his seat so they can shoot his hat off (animated by Perez).

Unknowingly putting Bugs on his head instead of his hat (animated by Perez), Sam is tricked by Bugs into thinking the sheriff has arrived and is also tricked into shooting at several places such as the door to the diner car, the window, and behind him. Once Sam is distracted enough, Bugs pours red ink all over Sam’s head. Thinking it’s his blood, Sam believes he has been fatally shot and faints. As Bugs sings, “Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie”, Sam feels the ink drip onto his nose, causing him to realize the ruse. He then gets in Bugs’ face with an angry expression before getting back and asking in a sad, quiet tone, “Why did you pour ink on my head?” before angrily getting in his face again (animated by Gerry Chiniquy).

Chased to the club car, Bugs sees that a saloon brawl is in action. He tricks Sam into going in there and getting caught in the middle of the fight (animated by Perez), roughing him up. Bugs then imitates a train conductor, and places several suitcases in Sam’s hands, which get caught on the pole where the mail sack is supposed to be (animated by Chiniquy).

Thinking he has disposed of Sam, Bugs shouts, “So long, screwy! See you in St. Louis!” But Sam somehow gets back on board and fights with Bugs on top of the train (animated by Ross).

Having Bugs tied up and with an anvil under him, Sam attempts to throw Bugs off the trestle. As he is cutting the ropes, a screen flashes with the narrator reading out title cards on a black screen that ask, “Is this the end of Bugs Bunny? Will our hero be dashed to bits on the jagged rocks below?” Bugs takes over from the narrator: “Is he to be doomed to utter destruction? Will he be rendered non-compas mentas?” but as he’s saying this, he walks across the screen dressed like a rich man, with Sam tied up. Bugs confides, “Eh, he don’t know me very well, do he?” (animated by Champin)

Where Can I Watch It?

At toontales.net!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕