Release Date:

March 28, 1942

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd

Summary:

Elmer Fudd is out hunting for Bugs Bunny, when he suddenly receives a telegram that explains that his Uncle Louie will leave him three million dollars on the sole condition that he doesn’t harm any animals- especially “wabbits”. Bugs takes advantage of this by being a deliberately annoying house guest.

That’s Not All, Folks:

Freleng would later use the premise for this cartoon again in one of the funniest Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam cartoons ever, “From Hare to Heir” (1960), where Sam will receive one million pounds (British currency) if he can control his temper.

Other studios also used this cartoon’s premise and in both cases, were among the best cartoons in their series, with those being the Tom and Jerry cartoon “The Million Dollar Cat” (1944) and the Woody Woodpecker cartoon “Billion Dollar Boner” (1960).

This is the first cartoon where Bugs dresses in drag.

The cartoon is in the public domain.

Elmer appears to have a subtle (but very strong) attraction to the opposite sex as various framed pictures in his house are of scantily-clad women and he has a powder room despite being a bachelor here.

In one scene, when Elmer tricks Bugs into getting locked out of the house, Bugs fakes catching pneumonia and wonders if this overly dramatic scene will win him the Academy Award, likely making a jab at the fact that no Warner cartoons yet had won the Oscar. In fact, two years later, there was a whole cartoon of Bugs trying to convince an audience that he is Oscar-worthy called “What’s Cookin’ Doc” (1944).

Bugs makes a reference to the “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio program, a program that Arthur Q. Bryan (Elmer’s voice) also appeared in.

What I Like About This One:

When Elmer’s dogs have Bugs cornered in a tree, they suddenly see Bugs imitating one of them. “Look, fellas, I’m Rin Tin Tin!” (animated by Gil Turner).

After Elmer reads the telegram and lets Bugs go, Bugs sees the dogs still with snarling expressions and tells them to “break it up” (animated by Manuel Perez).

Elmer going back to his house only to find Bugs taking a shower in his bathroom and singing “Angel in Disguise”. Elmer demands him to come out but Bugs plugs up Elmer’s rifle with the bathroom stopper. After pulling it out, Elmer runs toward the shower only for Bugs to hold up a sign, “What would Uncle Louie say?” (animated by Gerry Chiniquy).

Bugs shaving his armpits and tail and powdering his face (animated by Turner).

Elmer begging Bugs to leave and patting his head only for Bugs to claim that Elmer is fracturing his skull (animated by Cal Dalton). Bugs then threatens to call Uncle Louie but ends up talking to “Myrt” from “Fibber McGee and Molly” (animated by Richard Bickenbach).

Elmer tricking Bugs into going outside and locking him out (animated by Dalton). Bugs demands to be let back in, claiming he’s catching pneumonia. At one point, he stops to wonder if this scene will earn him the Academy Award (animated by Turner). Horrified at the thought of three million dollars shot to pieces, Elmer brings Bugs back in, pleading for him to not die (animated by Bickenbach).

Elmer attempting to revive Bugs by rocking him back and forth in his arms while singing “Rock a Bye Baby”. Bugs demands him to “swing it” so Elmer sings it faster (animated by Dalton).

Elmer finally receiving his telegram informing him that he has indeed inherited three million dollars- but the lawyers’ taxes have taken everything away! In addition, Elmer also owes them $1.98 (“Please remit”). Furious that he put up with Bugs’ shenanigans for nothing, Elmer chases him around the house (animated by Dalton).

Bugs hiding in one of three vases to which Elmer attempts to climb into. Bugs’ ears pop out separately from the other two and slap Elmer into the middle vase (animated by Perez).

When the grandfather clock strikes midnight, Bugs tricks Elmer into thinking it’s the new year. While they sing “Auld Lang Syne”, Elmer looks at the calendar and sees it’s July, resuming the chase (animated by Bickenbach).

Bugs initially goes down into the basement but immediately comes back up, claiming it’s dark (animated by Chiniquy).

Elmer then comes across Bugs dressed up like a woman in his powder room. At first, Elmer is embarrassed before realizing it’s Bugs and then chases him out of the house (animated by Perez).

Now with Bugs out of the house, Elmer confides, “Good widdance to bad wubbish!” However, the mailman gives him “Easter Greetings”- a giant blue egg which several little bunnies pop out and ask in unison, “What’s up, doc?” (animated by Ken Champin).

Where Can I Watch It?

On YouTube!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕