Release Date:

August 28, 1954

Main Character(s):

Bugs Bunny, Clyde

Summary:

When Clyde has trouble memorizing important events in American history for a test, Bugs Bunny helps him out by telling him all about it, presenting it in a comedic view and adding himself into most of the events.

That’s Not All, Folks:

The production number is 1323 and was released as a Looney Tune.

This is the second and final appearance of Bugs’ nephew, Clyde, following “His Hare Raising Tale”. Also, like that cartoon, Bugs lives in an actual house here instead of a hole.

The cartoon is a flip side to “Old Glory”, which was completely serious in its portrayal of American history. This one, however, treats the events in a comical way.

In present day, Bugs is seen reading a Bugs Bunny comic.

Milt Franklyn scored this cartoon.

The cartoon was in production after Ken Champin left the studio, so only Manuel Perez, Virgil Ross, and Arthur Davis did the animation.

Betsy Ross is depicted as an elderly lady when designing the American flag before Bugs inadvertently gives her an idea. This is of course very incorrect in terms of age, because if she did indeed design the first American flag, she would’ve only been 25, since she was born in 1752.

The cartoon is somewhat of a precursor to the Peanuts mini-series, “This Is America, Charlie Brown” (1988-1989) where the Peanuts gang become present in important American history events (you may be familiar with its premiere episode, “The Mayflower Voyagers” due to it being present on most video releases of 1973’s “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and being aired with it when it was broadcast annually).

Favorite Scene:

The frostbitten troops at Valley Forge shoot at a Good Rumor ice cream man when he drives through the area.

What Happens in This One:

While Bugs is reading a Bugs Bunny comic book, Clyde is seen looking through numerous history books and write down specific events to the days they occurred, “Battle of Concord and Lexington- April 19, 1775; Uh, Declaration of Independence- July 2, 1776; Boston Massacre- March 5, 1770-”. He suddenly becomes frustrated, “Ooh, I give up!” Bugs gets down from his contour chair and asks while munching a carrot, “Eh, what’s the matter, Clyde? Something bothering ya?” Clyde explains, “Oh, Uncle Bugs, I can’t remember all those dates and places and people and things! And we’re gonna have a test in American History today”. Bugs asks him, “Why didn’t ya ask ME to help ya?”, to which Clyde becomes intrigued, “Do YOU know American History, Uncle Bugs?” Bugs’ response is, “KNOW American History?! Why, we rabbits have MADE American History!” (animated by Virgil Ross)

Clyde requests as he goes to sit down on the sofa, “Well, tell me, Uncle Bugs! Tell me all about it, will ya, huh?” Bugs begins, “Well, to begin with, the famous Manhattan skyline wasn’t like it is today with its tall buildings and concrete canyons”. A flashback begins with a UPA-esque background of then-present day New York City. “It was much more primitive when the Indians owned the Island”. The buildings turn into tepees. “And the Statue of Liberty was just a little girl at that time”, as the very Statue goes from big to small. We briefly go back to the present as Bugs explains, “The first real estate deal was when the Dutch bought Manhattan Island from the Indians. They got a real bargain there. They bought it for a song”. A Dutch man is seen selling an Indian- standing in front of a sign that reads, “For Sale Manhattan Island Beautiful View of Brooklyn on a Clear Day”- sheet music for an unidentified tune, which the Indian is elated about, “Me rich! Me rich chief! Ho ho! Me rich SUPER chief!” as he continues chortling in ecstasy into the distance (animated by Ross).

Bugs continues, “It was in Philadelphia where Benjamin Franklin first discovered electricity”. This is the first event that Bugs puts himself in as in this flashback, he walks up to Franklin flying a kite and asks, “Eh, what’s up, Benny?” Franklin explains, “I am trying to discover electricity”. Bugs: “Eh, that’s nice”. Franklin: “Wouldst thou tend to my kite, Master Bunny?” Bugs: “It wouldst be a pleasure to tend to ye kite, sir”. Franklin: “I thank ye. I must get out ye first edition of ye Saturday Evening Post”. A storm cloud comes in and a lightning bolt strikes the kite, giving Bugs a tremendous electric shock that causes him to flash like a neon sign. Delighted, Franklin picks up the flashing Bugs and carries him off, “I’ve discovered electricity! I’ve discovered electricity!” Somewhat annoyed with Franklin taking all the credit, Bugs scoffs, “Huh! HE discovered electricity!” (animated by Manuel Perez)

The next scene is at the “Royal Tea Warehouse” as Bugs narrates, “The big trouble all started when the King made a surprise visit to the warehouse in Boston”. A customs man carrying a box of “Tea For the Colonies” drops it in shock upon seeing two royal subjects with large trumpets marching up to him and blasting them in his face. The King of England comes into view as the customs man bows. He then instructs the customs man to “Spread these tacks onto the colonists’ tea” as he pulls out a literal box of tacks. The customs man points out, “But, Your Majesty, these are CARPET tacks”. The King then starts chortling while dumping the tacks onto the box in a crazy manner, “Well, they’re tea tacks now!” and continues laughing as he boards his boat, which sails away back to England (animated by Arthur Davis).

Going briefly back to the present again, Bugs continues, “The colonists refused to drink their tea with tacks, so they started to get an army together” (animated by Ross). Another flashback begins with slips of paper being drawn out of a fishbowl, “So they got out the old fishbowl and drew numbers”. One man wearing a blindfold pulls one out, with a draft notice soon being delivered to George Washington’s mailbox at the White House. Washington reads it and exclaims, “Gad zooks! I’ve been drafted!” He rides off on his horse to a “Candy Shoppe” to tell Martha, “Martha, you’ll have to run the candy stores alone while I’m off to fight the war!” Washington then goes back out on his horse while yelling, “CHARGE!” (animated by Davis)

Back in the present once more, Bugs explains, “Now that they had an army, they needed a flag” (animated by Ross). A flashback of numerous failed ideas for flags is then seen, “They finagled around with a number of different designs, but none seemed appropriate”. A red flag with a tree in a white field in the top left corner is shown, along with a flag that has a picture of a rattlesnake with the motto, “Don’t Tread on Me”, and a flag with a Tic-Tac-Toe game having been played on it. “Until one day, at Betsy Ross’ house-”, Bugs wearing a Minuteman hat, walks up to Betsy’s front yard, complete with a sign, “Watch Your Step. Geo. Washington Slipped Here”. He greets her as she’s knitting a flag of red and white stripes with a plain blue field, “Hiya, Bets. How’s the flag coming along?” Betsy shows it to him, “How’s this, Mr. Bunny?” Bugs decides, “Not bad, Betsy. Eh, not bad. But that blue field, it, uh, it’s too plain. It needs something. Walking back and forth as he thinks to himself, “Hmm. Now, uh, let’s see, uh, what could we put in the blue field to snap it up a bit? Hmm”, Bugs accidentally steps on a rake which hits him in the face and causes him to see white stars spinning around his head. Pointing to said stars, Bugs asks, “Hey, Betsy. Does this give ya an idear?” Betsy is indeed inspired by it, “Oh, yes! Yes, it does! It DOES give me an idea! A great idea!”, as she begins knitting white stars into the blue field (animated by Davis).

“Then came the historic date at Boston when the enemy forces stormed Bunker Hill”. Several Redcoats are seen marching up to the audience before a cannon from their point of view blasts them. The Redcoats, shocked as they are charred, retreat while marching the same way (animated by Perez).

In the present again, Bugs continues before another flashback is shown, “Then, that terrible winter at Valley Forge. Six feet of snow, the men’s equipment was poor (animated by Ross), their electric blankets tattered and full of shorts”. A shivering soldier, complete with blue face, is seen with an electric blanket failing to stop him from freezing before a Good Rumor ice cream man drives through the area, which shocks several frostbitten and blue-faced soldiers popping out of the snow. They begin shooting at the ice cream man for driving through with something cold. After an explosion, the man drives back the other way with his ruined truck (animated by Davis).

“The enemy fleet was bottled up in the harbor”. Several ships are seen in literal bottles floating on the ocean. “Then, General Washington made his famous crossing of the Delaware”, with Bugs being the operator of the outboard motor powering the boat (animated by Davis). Back in the present, Bugs goes on, “Then, with victory won, George Washington gave his farewell address to his troops”. Suddenly, the bell rings to signify the beginning of the school day as Bugs sends Clyde off with his books and hat, “Whoops. There’s the school bell; you’d better hop along, Cassidy!” As Clyde runs off to the school, Bugs calls to him, “And don’t forget what I told ya!” (animated by Ross)

Later, at the end of the school day, Bugs is seen reading his Bugs Bunny comic from earlier when Clyde suddenly appears at the doorway with a peeved expression. Bugs asks, “Well, Clyde! How did ya make out in your History exam?” Clyde remains completely still while keeping the same expression. Confused, Bugs asks, “Well?” Clyde then pulls out a Dunce cap and puts it atop his head while asking irritably, “Does THIS answer your question!?” (animated by Ross)

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕 ½