Release Date:

May 10, 1947

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny, Cecil Turtle

Summary:

Taking a steam bath, Bugs Bunny is incensed about the outcome of the Tortoise and the Hare. Cecil Turtle, who is also relaxing in the sauna, claims that he can beat him, so they decide to race once more. This time, Cecil’s shell is jet-propelled and Bugs attempts to sabotage him all across the race.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 1025 and was released as a Looney Tune.

This is the third and final entry in the Bugs and Cecil trilogy, following “Tortoise Beats Hare” and “Tortoise Wins by a Hare”. This one differs from the other two, in that it doesn’t follow continuity from the other two (continuity is extremely rare in cartoons, after all, but it doesn’t matter unlike shows where continuity is very important like Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, and particularly Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu), it doesn’t contain the words “tortoise” or “hare” in the title, and this one was made while Eddie Selzer was producer (the other two were made when Leon Schlesinger was the producer).

As with the other two Cecil cartoons, Bugs is an arrogant jerk. This one, though, stands out as Freleng’s portrayal of Bugs was arguably the most cool and unflappable (particularly against Yosemite Sam), but here he is often bested and even has a very hollow victory at the end (Jones’ portrayal was a sophisticated rabbit who only attacks when provoked while McKimson’s portrayal is a tough guy who goes up against fierce opponents and sometimes delights in mischief. All three main directors’ takes on the wascally wabbit are all perfectly in character, though).

Although Jones didn’t direct this cartoon, there is notably a gag featured in this one that would be common in the Roadrunner cartoons: painting a tunnel on a solid object, but the character who doesn’t know it’s a painting runs through it, while the character who made said painting smacks into the object he painted.

The title is a pun for “rapid transit”.

This is one of three cartoons to use a piece called “Make It Snappy”, where this cartoon features it prominently. The other two that used it are Jones’ “A Pest in the House” (also released in 1947) and McKimson’s “The Grey Hounded Hare” (1949).

What I Like About This One:

At first, Bugs has no reaction to the tortoise beating the hare in the race while reading a book of fables in the sauna, before realizing this, and angrily flipping the pages back to the story. “The tortoise beat the hare!? (spits carrot out) Why, that’s ridic- Why, I never heard- What, who’d ever believe such a zany story!?” (animated by Virgil Ross)

“I would”, says a voice, which turns out to be Cecil who when Bugs asks, “Who said that?”, replies with, “I did, Mr. Rabbit”. Claiming he’s a tortoise and can beat him, Bugs becomes very defensive and declares that he will run backwards with his hands tied behind his back and will run him ragged before politely asking, “Wanna race?” (animated by Ross).

With both wearing bathrobes, Bugs decides they’ll race to Grant’s Tomb and insists, “And no cuttin’ corners!” Cecil agrees but also requests, “And, uh, let’s agree not to cheat” Offended at Cecil assuming he would do such an idea, Bugs takes out a pair of roller skates hidden in his bathrobe. “Okay, mac. It ain’t that I don’t trust ya! But-!” and picks Cecil up, shaking him, where he too has hidden a pair of roller skates, but also a wooden scooter, a bike and a motor scooter (animated by Gerry Chiniquy).

Bugs does the typical one for the money, two for the show, three to make ready, while both tiptoe inches from the starting line, before Bugs zooms off after saying, “And four to-”. A mailman delivers Cecil a telegram. It’s from Bugs saying “GO!” in huge letters. Cecil confides, “Ur, uh, you still have time to place a wager. Confidentially, it’s in the ag-bay!” and opens his shell to reveal he’s powered by jet propulsion (animated by Manuel Perez).

“Boy, this is like taking candy away from a baby turtle”, Bugs laughs before Cecil zooms past him. Wondering if it was Halley’s Comet, Bugs is met by Cecil zooming back up to him and contradicting, “Nope, twasn’t. No, uh, it was, um, uh… me” (animated by Perez).

Another mailman delivers Bugs a telegram. It’s from Cecil, who is currently in Chicago, and gives Bugs a Christmas greeting. Realizing he didn’t give Cecil anything, Bugs goes to the post office. Relaxing on a Chicago beach, Cecil is given a special delivery. It’s Bugs, who pops out and gives Cecil a wacky kiss before continuing the race (animated by Ross).

Bugs hides behind a tree and grabs Cecil’s shell just as he passes by, leaving Cecil wearing only his bathing suit. Seeing Bugs zooming past him, Cecil realizes, “Mm, that feller had a shell just like mine. Yep, just like mine”, before seeing that the only thing he currently has on is his bathing suit. “Eh, MINE?” and doing some nonchalant deep breaths that sound hilarious coming from Cecil: “Ooh. Eee. Ooh. Yep” (animated by Perez).

Cecil catches up to Bugs, who is trying to dismantle the jet propulsion. Offering help, Cecil tricks Bugs into giving him the tools, so he can fix it. Cecil then figures “Sure, got the best of him, there”, only to find Bugs roasting a hot dog above the jets’ exhaust. Remembering the boy scout rule to never go away and leave a fire burning, Bugs dumps water in Cecil’s shell, which causes the jets to sputter to a stop. Cecil quickly scoops all the water out, before zooming off again (animated by Ken Champin).

Seeing Cecil approaching (animated by Champin), Bugs paints a white line leading up to a tree, and paints a fake opening. Cecil zooms right through it, but when Bugs tries it, he knocks himself out after running smack into it. Bugs’ conscience tries to revive him in numerous ways: “Come on, wake up, wake up, get up, get up. That’s the way the hare in the other story lost the race. You don’t want that to happen to YOU! Come on, WAKE UP!” before Bugs is revived by his conscience splashing water over him (animated by Ross).

Realizing Cecil is nearly at the finish line, Bugs runs very fast after him (animated by Ross). Conveniently, Cecil’s jets die down at this point, and he appears to accept defeat as Bugs wins the race (animated by Chiniquy).

Cecil, however, lets Bugs’ overconfidence get the better of him through this conversation: “Yep, pal, you beat me. But you must have been traveling mighty fast to do it”. “Fast? I was doing a hundred easy.” “Um, would you mind repeating that a little louder, bub?” “I SAY I WAS DOING A HUNDRED EASY!” “Okay, officers, do your duty”. Two cops are seen standing next to a “Speed Limit: 30” sign! Enraged, Bugs is stopped from attacking Cecil (calling him a “dirty little stool pigeon” and a “double crossing little mutt”) as he is dragged off by the police. Cecil ends the cartoon with a borrowed catchphrase, “Er, um, ain’t I a, a stinker?” (animated by Chiniquy)

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½