Rebel Rabbit (1949)
Rebel Rabbit Review
Rebel Rabbit is a 1949 animated short film from the Merry Melodies series. It is a very weird entry.
In this one, Bugs Bunny is the aggressor as he sets out to prove that rabbits are worth more money as a bounty, but in the end he also gets his comeuppance which was beyond odd. First and foremost, I liked this movie because Bugs is so crazy and manic here that it led to a very fast, goofy flick which was entertaining throughout.
I also liked the live-action segments, and I found the entire premise highly promising, and even intriguing. But the movie failed to live up to its promise as it made Bugs a bit too crazy, and atypical for his usual behavior. And I do not like shorts where he loses in the end so that was also a big problem for me.
Rebel Rabbit has a great premise and it is a lot of fun, but it’s too weird and different to be enjoyed more.
If Chuck Jones had done Rebel Rabbit, it would have been a lot more cerebral.
If Friz Freleng had done Rebel Rabbit, I’m not sure how it would have been, but likely between Jonesian and McKimsonian norms.
Tex Avery and Bob Clampett – both might have made Bugs MORE crazy than McKimson did.
But, it’s Bob McKimson. And say what you will, it took the United States War Department to get Bugs Bunny, when Japan, Italy, Germany, and every other enemy of Bugs Bunny couldn’t. And Jones never went that far, nor Freleng.
Does the perceived insult, that rabbits are only worth 2 cents, warrant Bugs going “this means war”? In 1949, Bugs was self-aware enough to know he was the star at Warner Brothers, so yes, I’d say his craziness is mostly warranted, but I wish he had been a bit more Jonesian here.
I’d rate it a bit higher, as I think this was one of Bob McKimson’s best cartoons – but only one-half point or so, to about 4.3 out of 5.
Thanks for this insightful reply. Glad you loved the short!