''Acrobatty Bunny'' is a 1946 Warner Bros. ''

Looney Tunes ''Looney Tunes'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series ''Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation.

'' short directed by

Robert McKimson Robert Porter McKimson Sr. (October 13, 1910 – September 29, 1977) was an American animator and illustrator, best known for his work on the ''Looney Tunes'' and '' Merrie Melodies'' series of cartoons from Warner Bros. Cartoons and later DePa ...

. The short was released on June 29, 1946, and stars Bugs Bunny and Nero the Lion. This was the first cartoon McKimson directed that starred Bugs Bunny.

Plot

A circus is being set up just above Bugs' rabbit hole, causing much noise and vibration. The lion cage is set up directly above the hole, and the lion takes deep sniffs (alternatively yanking Bugs towards the hole or throwing him back) to determine that the animal below is Bugs. When the lion (whom Bugs eventually refers to as "Nero") roars again, Bugs comes to the surface to see what's going on, riding an elevator that makes twists and turns. Bugs tries to reason with the lion, but soon makes a hasty escape when Nero takes a swipe at him. Nero manages to get out of his cage, and chases Bugs around the circus grounds. Bugs at one point ducks into a dressing room, coming out as a clown trying to convince Nero to laugh, which he eventually does — until Bugs takes some whacks at the lion with a wooden board. The lion then chases Bugs into the big top, where they swing around acrobat swings. Eventually, Bugs tricks Nero into a cannon and sets the cannon off, causing him to do a hula in his 'skirt', while Bugs plays the ukulele. The cartoon ends with him saying to the audience, "We're also available for picnics, lodge meetings, children's parties, and smokers!", before continuing to play the ukulele.

Reception

Animation critic Jerry Beck writes, "Nonstop action and gags, ''Acrobatty Bunny'' is a pure Bugs Bunny cartoon, demonstrating what the rabbit does best: using his brains to heckle an aggressive bully and stay one step ahead of his opponent. Robert McKimson's very first Bugs Bunny cartoon is one of the funniest ever made."

Home media

The cartoon can be found on the '' Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3'' DVD. It is also available on the Marx Brothers' '' Night in Casablanca'' DVD (2004).

References

External links

* 1946 films 1946 short films 1946 animated films Looney Tunes shorts Warner Bros. Cartoons animated short films Films directed by Robert McKimson Circus films Bugs Bunny films Animated films about lions 1940s Warner Bros. animated short films Films with screenplays by Warren Foster {{LooneyTunes-stub