Rabbit Transit (1947)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

"Rabbit Transit" is an American animated short film from 1947, so this one has its 70th anniversary this year and it is of course from the Golden Age of Animation. But sadly, despite the efforts by legends like Freleng, Maltese, Pierce and Blanc of course, these 8 minutes never really gain as much steam as its protagonists. Maybe if you know a bit about old cartoons, then you have come across the hare vs. tortoise race battle on other occasions too as this is the third and final Warner Bros. cartoon on the subject, but other studios have picked up on this underdog story as well several times. But here the turtle really isn't the underdog because the only slow thing about it is his speaking. The technology hidden inside its shell lets him win the race easily, but again it is the underdog that triumphs eventually. This, however, is the only success for Bugs in here because for once he takes the role of Sam, Elmer etc. and the turtle takes the role that Bugs usually has. The tree painting scene is the best example. However, I did not enjoy the watch too much. I like this duel more the traditional way, without motors in shells and the comedy was also pretty mediocre I would say. The only outstanding thing is once again Mel Blanc's voice talent. It's okay they did not make a 4th film about these two. Number 3 gets a thumbs-down from me. Not recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed Rabbit Transit, I felt it was a lot of fun. The only real quibble I have is that although Bugs himself is great, he is not as confident as he usually is and he is shown to be easily tricked here. This wasn't distracting as such, it's just that I love Bugs and his persona and this wasn't quite the Bugs I fell in love with. That said, the story is wonderful, a very fun twist on The Tortoise and the Hare or so it seemed, the animation is colourful and lively, the music is rousing and there are enough witty dialogue and sharp sight gags to amuse even the fussiest Looney Tunes fan. And I loved Cecil, he is a turtle, but he is an endearing and funny one. Plus Mel Blanc's vocals are superb. Overall, a wonderful Looney Tunes cartoon, very funny. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The third and finale race between Bugs and Cecil turtle is the least hilarious of the three, but it's still pretty funny at times. This time has Bugs reading Aesop's fables while relaxing. when he gets to the end of the story he's flabbergasted that the fairy tale had the Hare losing the race. So he challenges Cecil (whom he doesn't seem to remember from the other two times) to a race. As I said before the other two cartoons are funnier and more well paced than this one. The gag of the enhanced rocket shell also seems to be a tad long in the tooth, but I still had fun with the short. This animated short can be seen on Disc 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2.My Grade: B+

Relaxing in a spa reading Aesop's fables, Bugs is shocked to read of a tortoise beating a hare in a race. To prove his point he takes a challenge from a tortoise to have a race, however when the race starts it is evident that Bugs will need to use guile to win as the tortoise has a motor inside his shell!This cartoon has all the markings of a good cartoon - good story, good characters and plenty of opportunity for imaginative humour. For the most part it works very well and is pretty funny. The plot allows for some good gags, although a little too much mileage (!) is wrung out of the motorised shell idea. The short even has a good ending which nicely twists one of Bugs' own catch phrases on himself!The one weakness it did have was in it's lead character - which was a surprising thing to me. I love Bugs and enjoy seeing him twist things on those who would get him! I like to se the many ways he gets the upper hand. However here he was very much the lesser character in terms of scoring points. He is shown to be easily tricked and fooled and, at times, out of his depth. This didn't ruin the cartoon for me as it was still funny, but this was not the usual character I expect to see when I watch Bugs Bunny.Despite this, I enjoyed the film as it was funny with good sight gags covering the `topical' references that went over my head. The only thing to remember is that this is not Bugs Bunny in his normal, wise cracking confident self.