Release Date:

January 8, 1944

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny

Summary:

At the Academy Awards, Bugs Bunny is expecting to win the Oscar, and is outraged when James Cagney wins it instead. Demanding a recount, Bugs plays a clip from “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt” to get the people to reconsider.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 22-12, the 22nd Merrie Melodie in the 12th release season.

Most of the cartoon’s opening contains live-action footage from “A Star is Born” (1937).

The cartoon was likely made as a jab at the fact that no Warner cartoons had won the Oscar yet. Bugs would eventually win the Oscar in 1958 for “Knighty Knight Bugs”.

Interestingly, Bugs plays a clip from “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt” which actually was nominated for an Oscar.

You can find out who animated what scene here.

Robert McKimson animated the majority of the cartoon.

The cartoon was originally going to be included on the Looney Tunes Super Stars Bugs Bunny Hare Extraordinaire DVD set in 2010, but was reconsidered. It was later put on the Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-ray set in 2020.

The title is an obvious reference to a variant on Bugs’ catchphrase that he says at times.

This is the last cartoon to use the 1942-1944 red rings.

“In an 18th Century Drawing Room” plays when Bugs decides to leave it up to the “intelligent people” in the audience to decide on whether or not he deserves the Oscar and after “Smokey” corrects his error when accidentally starting up a stag reel.

The full cartoon was used in the 1975 documentary “Bugs Bunny Superstar”.

When Bugs tosses several film cans to the offscreen projectionist, he says, “Okay, Smokey, roll ‘em!” “Smokey” was the nickname of the studio’s cameraman Henry Garner.

What I Like About This One:

During the live-action shots, the narrator introduces us to several sights before a live-action wolf is shown howling at the moon. Not expecting this, the narrator wonders, “Well, how’d he get in here?”

The narrator then builds up what everyone in Hollywood excitedly anticipates and looks up to while showing live-action photos of movie stars and famous directors, but answers, “NO! It’s just little Oscar”, where the golden statue is shown.

Seated at a table, Bugs is confident he will win the Oscar and imitates Katherine Hepburn. He greets his fellow stars and imitates each, barring the first: Cecil B., Edward G. Robinson, Jerry Colonna, and Bing Crosby (animated by Robert McKimson).

Going up next to the shadow of the ceremony announcer, Bugs does over the top demonstrations of the announcer’s words: “A fine dramatic actor (Bugs twirls his whiskers like a mustache, points and has his carrot in his mouth like a huge cigar) and also a master of refined comedy. (Bugs makes a silly face at the audience) A screen lover unexcelled (Bugs does a Charles Boyer imitation while caressing his carrot), and equally good in character roles” (Bugs imitates Frankenstein’s monster) (animated by McKimson)

Bugs’ reaction when the award is given to James Cagney (animated by McKimson).

Ordering for the applause to “STOP!” (the animation here switches from Rod Scribner to McKimson), Bugs claims that Cagney’s win is “sabo-tah-gee!” (animated by McKimson). Pulling down a screen out of nowhere, Bugs then grabs some film cans which he says are “some of my best scenes” (animated by Scribner) and throws them to “Smokey” the offscreen projectionist. At first, “Smokey” accidentally puts on a stag reel which Bugs quickly covers up and yells at the top of his voice in shock, “HEY!” (animated by McKimson)

After the “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt” clip ends, Bugs comes out with a big drum labeled “Let Bugs Have It” on one side and “Give It to Bugs” on the other while playing a rousing rendition of “It Looks Like a Big Night Tonight” (animated by Phil Monroe).

A silhouetted man in the audience asking his fellow audience members, “Shall we give it to him, folks?” They all answer in unison, “Yeah, let’s give it to him!” and promptly pelt him with produce (animated by McKimson).

Bugs coming out of the pile of produce dressed as Carmen Miranda only to be hit again, this time with a booby-prize Oscar that is shaped like him (animated by Virgil Ross).

Delighted with his “Oscar”, Bugs promises, “I’ll keep you and cherish you. I’ll even take youse to bed with me every night!” The statue suddenly comes to life, asks, “Do ya mean it?” and kisses Bugs before doing a feminine hands on hip pose (animated by McKimson).

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕