The Birth of Bugs Bunny | THE MERRIE HISTORY OF LOONEY TUNES 

I think that Bugs Bunny is a much funnier, more interesting and engaging character than Mickey Mouse ever was.

So you’re telling me that the entire reason why we associate rabbits with eating carrots is because of Bugs Bunny parodying some actor who ate carrots? Holy fuck. Imagine being that influential.

I would argue that this series is SO thorough and informative so far, that once you've finished (sounds like it'll be around 7-8 hours total in length) it'll be THE quintessential history lesson on WB classic animation, and pretty much all one would need to learn everything about it! You don't just discuss information about the characters, but also the directors, their units, voice actors besides Mel Blanc... even budgets and contract drama! So well done, and a fantastic job so far. My only complaint is that these can't come out fast enough! Can't wait for the rest.

Actually, Mel Blanc said in an interview that the accent was a combo of Flatbush and da Bronx; largely da Bronx. Having grown up in the Bronx I can verify that most of my neighbors had the Bugs' accent.

36:12 RIP Kent Rogers. That's so unfortunate, what a bright future he had. Imagine what could have been.

Wow, 1940 was THE Year! Woody Woodpecker, Pinocchio, Tom & Jerry, Fantasia AND Bugs Bunny?! That’s quite a year. This is quite a series! Loving these videos

Fun Fact: The copyright date for the cartoon "Porky's Hare Hunt" (the first Prototype-Bugs Bunny cartoon that was released theatrically in 1938) confirmed that that cartoon was produced in 1937.

It's really in the '40s that the quality of cartoons starts to get good, especially when we get The Dover Boys and Bugs gets his final more modern design.

Had it not been for Dover Boys, we would never have "limited animation" which lay the groundwork for TV animation by the likes Hanna Barbera & Jay Ward as well as anime itself.

23:05 Because I know someone was waiting for it.

"Sadly, his career ended, when he was killed in a training flight crash".. Shows footage of perhaps his most famous voiced character, as a skeleton, then violently crashing into the earth.. Brutal editing there! LOL!

Yes folks, Woody Woodpecker’s laugh was from here and Mel Blanc was the one who developed it

A fantastically edited, well presented history lesson AND a Big Chungus? I'm In!

Actually, I talked to animation historian (and mega-Looney Tunes fan) Jerry Beck and he told me this: "The [Bugs Bunny] prototype cartoons were popular... but the character himself wasn't as popular until they crystalized the character into Bugs Bunny in A WILD HARE."

It should be pointed out that in the first appearance of Egghead (the boob who would be Elmer Fudd) it took TWO Voice Actors to create his first line. Of course, the first voice you hear is that of Mel Blanc. But the second voice (that REALLY deep one) is none other than Billy Bletcher, who for many years was the voice for every incarnation of Mickey Mouse’s nemesis at Disney, Pete, Peg Leg Pete, and about half a dozen other names that all ended with “Pete”. Bletcher actually started in SILENT films, where that huge voice did him no good whatsoever. But it’s interesting to see him standing toe-to-toe with Walt Disney… Bletcher was 5’2” tall, and Uncle Walt stood easily a full human head taller than Billy, while Walt was doing the voice of Mickey, and diminutive Billy was doing the voice of Pete!

"What's Opera, Doc" is my favorite.

Much of the animation in The Dover Boys simply stretches an object from one extreme pose to another. It's as if the object takes up the entire space between extremes before the animation catches up with the next pose, yet somehow the eye sees the smooth motion of an arm or automobile. Freeze frame Dora riding past the saloon and you'll see her face stretch fo take up almost the whole width of the screen. Dan Backslide's movement is especially rife with examples from his quick costume change to his rapid fire downing of shots. Other cartoons ocassionally use the technique but I've never seen another cartoon that meticulously applied it to so much of the movement.

This series when it’s all finished needs to be shown in animation history classes. It could also be shown in bits and pieces in a domestic history class about the 20th century. Like highlights of the series you’re creating. To find out what was popular during the time and what people enjoyed in their free time. I enjoy learning about domestic history of the late 19th to mid 20th centuries especially. The media of the time is important to learning about the domestic life of the time. What people did to entertain themselves when they had down time.

About The Heckling Hare: There's also a speculation that when watching the original uncut print, Jack Warner either quarreled at the idea of Bugs just falling down 3 times or the wascally wabbit yelling "Hold on to your hats folks, here we go again!" and Leon (again, believing that holding grudges was bad for his studio) didn't take chances arguing with him. So he forced Avery into altering the ending, having Treg Brown trim down the last 40 feet of the short which made him furious, resulting in him quitting. Even at his studio's peak, Jack Warner was an asshole. (special thanks to tvtropes for the tip, you know who you are.)

As the Termite Terrace team was honing itself around 1940, one of the conspicuous departures from the formula all the other animation studios had been following for years was the risque humor. Spoofs on Warners' stable of hot curvaceous movie actresses, Elmer walking into the bathroom while Bugs was supposedly "naked", Mama Bear in Chuck Jones' The Three Bears wearing a sexy nightie to seduce Bugs, and, of course, the obligatory big wet kiss to torment an adversary. They were notifying the Old School that this was NOT Disney.

One thing of historical note, albeit bigger in retrospect than at the time, is that a year after the release of The Dover Boys, an animator named John Hubley was inspired by that short to go ahead with his own production for the low budget studio Screen Gems, creating The Rocky Road to Ruin. Though it actually had the involvement of Dover Boys narrator John McLeish, who reprised his narration duties from the prior short, the most noteworthy thing about Rocky Road was how shameless it was in attempting to replicate the Dover Boys formula, albeit with a way less cartoony plot. However, mildly noteworthy was it's own experimentation with limited animation contrasted against dynamic character designs, something John Hubley would build upon in his later work with a small studio known as United Productions of America, or UPA. Before eventually leaving that studio, Hubley would help to create the diminutive and shortsighted old man by the name of Mr. Magoo. It should be stated that The Dover Boys was massively influential to numerous animators at UPA, but Hubley is the most noteworthy example with his literal Original Characters Do Not Steal, not even a year after the short that "inspired" it.

The work of Chuck Jones, especially on Bugs Bunny has had an incredibly lasting impact on animation history and on my childhood without doubt

Fun Fact: Bugs Hardaway served in the army in WWI, with Harry Truman as his commander.

I'm glad there has been mention of Rod Scribner, he is so incredibly underrated. Frank Tashlin was always incredibly talented as well, and it would be interesting to see what history would have been like if he had stuck around long enough. I do wish more detail was provided to Clampett, especially since he and McKimson fleshed out face of Bugs Bunny today. I like Chuck Jones and all, but I spent most of my childhood being told he and Freleng were the ones mostly responsible for the success of LT, with a mention of Avery in there at times, sometimes Chuck is always painted as someone who provided more value than he actually did (something he accused Clampett of). I'm just glad there are videos showing the rich history and value that so many people put into these cartoons.

I did my senior directed study course in film school on how Warner Bros' cartoons supported the war effort. You've done a masterful job. Well done.

I once heard Chuck Jones speak at the Smithsonian. He had some sharp comments about a WB exec that he would not name, but after seeing this it HAS to be Leon Schlesinger.

Dover Boys is still funny to this day.

I hope we don't have to wait long for the next installment!

Excellent history of Warner Bothers animation and animation in general. Constant exposure to WB cartoons was a large force in shaping my childhood. I saw Mel Blanc in college in a huge auditorium that was standing room only. It was amazing to hear those characters come to life and equally amazing to realize how deeply they had penetrated my being.

4:02 Ugh, that's most creepy proto design of a Looney Tunes character if I ever saw one. Could you imaging Bugs Bunny looking like that for his final design.

With Thorson's model sheet the rabbit was christened Bugs Bunny in marketing and publicity by the studio in 1938. He was also referred to as Bugs Bunny in at least two newspaper reviews of "Hare-Um Scare-Um." Also, Blanc tried to take credit for "What's up doc?" so he's not as accurate a source.

Bugs always reminded me of a cartoon Groucho Marx -- the wise guy that would, usually, outsmart you and who'd talk directly to the camera, breaking the fourth wall.

The 40’s was the start of something great, as evidenced by the fact that the Bugs Bunny introduction was the first time that I laughed HARD during these videos. This series is amazing. So in depth, and objective. That’s what we’re missing. Straight facts. Thanks KB.

As a Texan, I've honestly never heard anyone say "What's up, doc?" without intentionally referencing Bugs.

These are fucking amazing. Easily the best documentary series about Looney Tunes thus far.

Bob clampett was one of the best animators of all times.

The Japanese navy attacked Pearl Harbor (or military to be general), saying it was their army would definitely get you in a fight with one of their naval officers as they were FIERCELY antagonistic toward each other 😂

Years ago I read somewhere that Leon's problem with "The Heckling Hare" was the tag line. After several times falling off the cliff they would iris out after Bugs said "Well, here we go again" which also happened to be the punch line to a particularly raunchy joke going around at the time. (I wish I knew that joke!) This offended Sclessinger but Avery felt that it would go over the heads of anyone unfamiliar with the joke and not be a problen for those that were. Leon insisted he change it but Tex refused and was "suspended".

Holy shit, this is VERY underrated. You certainly need more subs.

These are so good. Would be great to see one on Tom and Jerry.

Bugs Bunny's first three misfires and then final success on the fourth attempt reminds me of the iconic line about Swamp Castle from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. "All the kings said I daft to build a castle in the swamp, but I built all the same just to show them. It sank into the swamp, so I built a second one that sank into a swamp, so I built a third one that burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up!"

Bugs Bunny is quite possibly the greatest cartoon character of all time.

This is a fantastic documentary, and the music is just so well suited - I love me my Jazz, and especially from the 40s. You earned yourself a sub good sir.

You can really tell how much passion you have for this series!

43:05 Big chungus One of the few memes that involves Looney Tune characters

27:16 God, I could recite this whole cartoon from memory. It's so, so good.

“Uh come here…. Now don’t let this get around…. But….. confidently….. I AM A WABBIT!!” 😂

These cartoons, are way more funnier then the ones today and they covered everything !

Thank the Gods I accepted the algorhythms offering. Thoroughly researched, edited well, and polished to produced perfection. I have waited for this little tidbit of history for animation ages. Hit save and repeat. Look forward to part two. I can't say thank you nearly enough, so once will have to do. Bugs has been my roll model since....well a long time. Now I have an answer for when people ask me, "Why are you this way?" (It's Bob's fault!) Outstanding!!

These are amazingly good. Thank you for sharing all your hardwork and showing us these amazing documentaries.

Incredible work. This is so informative and thorough! I grew up watching almost all of these cartoons and learning the context around their creation is really special. Thank you!

These are so well made i always look forward to them

0:00: It's 1940 1:45: Opening Sequence 2:17: We Need a Star! 5:08: Welcome Back Freleng 6:44: When Bugs Met Fudd 10:50: A Bunny Named Bugs 13:40: The Early Hare 15:14: The Directors 17:40: Some Problems 20:05: Avery Leaves 20:54: The New Termites 22:07: Clampett, the Director 25:20: Jones, the Director 27:18: The Dover Boys and its Influence 30:59: World War II 35:01: Color and Other Changes 37:41: Bugs, the Star

Really great work. A thorough and enjoyable documentary series. Disappointed that only the first three are completed but I hope you are able to keep up the level of quality. Thanks for these!

Coming out in 1940 makes Pinocchio’s dark themes make a lot of sense…

An amazing series. Thank you for producing these documentaries!

What’s made these cartoons great was that the artists where in charge no interference .These guys where the story department the directors and animators .

I was a little leery at first of people referring to The Dover Boys as "a shitpost," it just felt like the wrong name for what it is. But if your research is correct, then that IS more or less what it was. It was Chuck Jones going "Oh, you want FAST?? I'll give you FAST!!"

Wow, this outfit is a treasure! You know these guys love animation and understand their subject and hit just the right buttons to evoke the very heart and soul of the cartoons they love. Congratulations on a terrific show. Keep it up, I'll be around!

I absolutely adore this series! I don’t want to say too much because I would just fill the comments section with praise, but I think a fun post script to this series would be to discuss the meme culture appropriation of mid-20th century animation like ‘Chungus’ (23:06) and the single-frame squinty-eyed Jerry (from Tom & Jerry).

I love how only the Big Chungus clip was sped up because it apparently needed to be seen.

I was literally just watching the last part of this retrospective and then this video drops lmao

I just discovered you today. Thank you. So enjoyable and so well researched and well written.

6:39-7:37 For a Reminder: Egghead was always named "Egghead" and Elmer Fudd was always named "Elmer Fudd", they are two co-existing and rotating separate characters created by Fred "Tex" Avery in 1937. Egghead only appears in 4 cartoons from 1937 to 1938 and Elmer appears in 71 cartoons from 1937 to 1962. Evidence is in Tex Avery's "A Feud There Was" (1938) and in Ben Hardaway and Cal Dalton's "Count Me Out" (1938).

Your back,I've been waiting for part 3

Brilliant work! You're documenting a history that's of tremendous social value & importance

I know it's only been 4 months since this installment, but I'm still waiting for the next one. This is fascinating. I didn't know Bea Benaderet did voice overs for these characters. Looked her up, and I see she did even MORE famous cartoon characters!! Thanks, KaiserBeamz!! So, we are waiting for the next part...

Phenomenal history lesson, well done man. Great job in flow and presentation!

Amazing series, thank you so much! One suggestion would be to put the part # in the titles, so there's no ambiguity to the chronology. And maybe put links to the other parts in the description. I found it a little challenging to find them.

WOW!! Amazing documentary. Well done. Thank You!! Waiting for the next fascinating chapter!

Amazingly detailed and informative. Well done!

Thank you for your exhaustive research! I have learned so much about they industry in the early years! I recommend that we all appreciate the really years! And especially all the joy that the animation Has given us

The birth of a trickster god, documented for all

Thanks for your series of very interesting videos about the WB cartoon unit. I grew up watching all the Merry Melody and Looney Tunes cartoons when it was a staple on free TV in the 1960s and 1970s. Loved the behind the scenes info! You guys did a great job. 👍😊

I’m definetely donating to your Patreon. This is a work that should be saved for generations to come!

Again, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. It’s like I’ve waited all my life for something like this, pretty much like the Beatles doco by Peter Jackson

Funny how there was a difference between the two with Merry Melodies being in color and Looney Tunes being B&W. Growing up in the 1950s on television they were all black and white

I have always been amazed at the output of these studios. So much groundwork was done in a few short years.

Absolutely fascinating look at the things that I remember from my childhood in the 1960s. Watching the development of Bugs, Elmer, and Porky was such a trip into nostalgia.

I am already loving this series a lot!

31:13 The Japanese Army did not attack Pearl Harbor; it was the Japanese Navy. The army had its own air force but no aircraft carriers and no bombers which could reach Hawaii.

this is an awesome documentary series. And you make their lives like movie stories. Very fascinating.

this stuff you are putting out here is crazy good

Bugs Bunny is my favorite Looney Tunes character. He is so funny

This was an excellent documentary. I wish it was longer, truth be told.

Tex Avery became a legend at MGM. Bob Clampett years later have the world "Beany and Cecil". In the "Private Snafu" cartoons, light profanity (mainly"damn" and "hell") was used.

This might be the best documentary series I've ever seen.

This is the first video of yours I have seen (RU-vid recommended it). I gave it a Thumb Up and subscribed.

Lmao “‘Wabbit Twouble’ Dir. Bob Cwampett”

I’m 17 and looney tunes is still hilarious, can’t lie about it.

"Everyone thinks they're just like Bugs Bunny but we all end up looking like Daffy Duck at some point." - Friz Freeling Thanks for all the work you must have put into this. This is like learning secret family history or something equally profound for so many of us who grew up with Bugs & co.

The second he mentions Tom and Jerry or puss gets the boot my cat she looks exactly like Tom walks in

please keep making this series!!! I want to see the next part so badly. and when you're done with the 60s, please do the 1970s Bugs Bunny show.

For Tex Avery one other factor as to why Leon Schlesinger didn’t like the ending in The Heckling Hare was because in the final fall according to the script Bugs and the dog die which made Leon upset

April 19-2021 that was pretty damn good, thanks.

Man,i've been watching this mini documentary for the thousandth time,congrats for these videos.

Beautifully done!

I like bunnies. I like to hug them and pet them and squeeze them and call them George.

Enjoyed this video, and the preceding ones. Intrigued to learn that Bea Benaderet was one of voice actors. I loved her little red riding hood.

As a German, I had to re-learn everything about Looney Tunes, as the version that was aired frequently until the early 2000 changed a lot. Porky Pig did not stutter and Bugs Bunny had a different catch phrase which wasn’t half as funny, he only said, “Na, was liegt an?” Which roughly translates to “What’s up”, but misses the point. When I moved in 2009 and got a pay TV subscription, and re-watched the shorts that ran on Boomerang at that time, I first thought they had butchered it with the new German adaptation until I learned that the new version was closer to the original. Today when the old shorts are re-aired, they use the intros and outros of the old German version paired with the newer synchronisation, which takes away the feeling because the original intro and Outro cards belong there as well.