Release Date:

January 13, 1945

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny

Summary:

Bugs Bunny mistakenly ends up in Germany’s Black Forest and goes up against Nazi Herman Goering while he’s on a hunting trip.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 7-13, the 7th Merrie Melodie in the 13th release season. This means that the cartoon was probably delayed during production.

This is the last cartoon to feature a caricature of Hitler, as he would commit suicide three months after this cartoon’s release once he realized the Nazis had no chance of winning the war.

This is the first ever time where Bugs makes a wrong turn at Albuquerque.

Interestingly, Bugs dresses up as a Viking woman at one point in this cartoon while Goering disguises as Siegfried, entering to the tune of Wagner’s “Pilgrim’s Chorus”. This of course, foreshadows the iconic “What’s Opera Doc” (1957) where the most memorable scene is Bugs disguising as Brunhilde to fool Elmer as Siegfried. Both cartoons were also written by Michael Maltese.

This is one of the few Warner cartoons to use Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”. The most memorable usage of this piece is in one of the all-time greatest Tom and Jerry cartoons, “Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl” (1950).

What I Like About This One:

Richard Bickenbach’s animation of Goering and his dog marching through the Black Forest to the tune of “A Hunting We Will Go”.

Once Bugs pops up and realizes he should’ve made a left turn at Albuquerque, he is confronted by Goering aiming his gun at him. Bugs just asks him for directions to Las Vegas, his intended destination. Goering is puzzled a bit so Bugs uses reverse psychology and tells Goering the “directions” instead. Goering starts marching off again before getting wise. “Las Vegas!? Why, there is no Las Vegas in Germany!” (animated by Bickenbach)

Goering attempting to plunge Bugs out of his hole by using his gun only for Bugs to rise up from the other end via an underground elevator and ask “What’s up doc?” Goering pins Bugs to a tree while breathing heavily. Bugs warns him, “Hey, watch your blood pressure, chubby!” (animated by Manuel Perez)

Bugs then takes off one of Goering’s medals and realizes it’s made of cheap tin when he bites down on it, bending it. Goering does the same to another medal and starts ranting about “that phony Fuhrer!” while Bugs disguises himself as Hitler by using black mud on the tip of his ear and nose. Confronted by Bugs as Hitler, Goering quickly changes into his Nazi uniform. Bugs starts ranting in faux-German gibberish while removing all of Goering’s medals and then pulling his pants down. Goering apologizes and begs for forgiveness by kissing Bugs’ hand and then kissing him in the face. This causes some of the mud to get on Goering’s upper lip and upon looking at himself in the mirror, he mistakes himself for the Fuhrer and does a “Heil Hitler” salute at his reflection! (animated by Virgil Ross)

To the tune of “Pilgrim’s Chorus”, Bugs comes in disguised as a Viking woman. Goering disguises as Siegfried, and they dance to the tune of Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”, which ends with Bugs tripping Goering and then Goering bashing his face into Bugs’ shield, leaving a Goering-shaped imprint (animated by Gerry Chiniquy).

Getting back into his hunting clothes, Goering commands a hunting falcon to catch Bugs. The falcon’s response to Goering’s accent is holding up a sign saying, “Evidently, this guy is a foreigner”. Bugs demonstrates to the falcon all of the characteristics of a rabbit. The falcon gets in Bugs’ face with an angry expression but then dopily nods “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” and flies off. Bugs asks Goering if he thinks the falcon will catch him. Goering responds, “Do I think he’ll catch you? Why, he’ll have you back here before you can say ‘Shicklegruber’!” (animated by Jack Bradbury)

After tickling Goering (animated by Bradbury), Bugs dives into his hole only to land in the waiting falcon’s sack (animated by Bickenbach). Goering proudly brings the sack to the Fuhrer’s office. Playing solitaire, Hitler decides to see if what Goering captured is indeed “Bugsenheimer Bunny” (animated by Perez) and is frightened at what he sees. Goering is also frightened at what’s in the sack as well. Bugs comes out dressed as Stalin and asking in a Russian accent, “Does your tobacco taste different lately?” (animated by Ross)

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕