A Hare Grows in Manhattan (1947)

I have seen one or two episodes of Bugs Bunny where he is interviewed by press about his background history/career and I think this is the first one made. I enjoyed this episode very much so, Bugs Bunny as a young rabbit in Manhattan was a sweet character when dancing and he does a good job of avoiding his pursuers as well as he does in most of his episodes (except here Elmer is not pursuing Bugs in a wood, it is a stray dog pursuing Bugs in New York City). There are quite a few good jokes in this episode, the animation is all right and the idea is one that is clever and original (even if I myself have already seen a few episode on the same premise). The cartoon opens with a very strange woman interviewer saying that they will meet the Hollywood Star Bugs Bunny. They first encounter him in his burrow (right next to palm trees and a SWIMMING POOL) and he has to dress into clothes that are not pyjamas for the interviewer. He then tells about his young life in Manhattan...I recommend this episode to people who like Bugs Bunny and to people who like Looney Tunes in general. Enjoy "A Hare Grows in Manhattan"! :-)

Friz Freleng's 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' starts out with a promising premise and then reverts to a straightforward and largely uninspired chase picture. Opening as a Celebrity Lives TV show which interviews Bugs Bunny about his early years, 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' virtually abandons this idea immediately for a chase between Bugs and a tough street dog. Although this is meant to take place during Bugs's formative years, there's really nothing to distinguish it from the average Bugs Bunny cartoon. There's a few nice little moments here and there but 'A Hare Grows in Manhattan' is nothing special at all. Robert McKimson would take a better (if not entirely successful) stab at Bugs's life story in 'What's Up Doc?', which at least ran with its original concept instead of lapsing into predictable antics which render the opening sequence entirely insignificant.

Directed by the wonderful Isadore "Friz" Freleng, "A Hare Grows in Manhattan" is a fine Bugs Bunny cartoon that describes how the wascawwy wabbit came to make his mark in the pantheon of Hollywood stars. It wasn't easy, as he had to protect himself from a menacing canine mob.Highlights: Bugs' tap dancing & singing "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" is brilliant. (Friz Freleng knew he could always rely on animator Gerry Chiniquy to take care of any dance sequences in his cartoons.) Bugs conceals himself within a hilarious Egyptian cigarette ad featuring a catchy Latin percussion rhythm. And finally, "Dog pile on the rabbit!"Last but not least, "A Hare Grows in Manhattan" features a great music score by the unfortunately underrated Carl W. Stalling, in particular not only during the aforementioned cigarette ad but also during the ascending elevator ride and during Bugs' hop on all fours (featuring some dissonant clarinets).

The sycophantic newsreel reporter Lola Beverly wants Bugs Bunny's life story. The great Hollywood star tells of his humble beginnings in the tenements of Manhattan. We see poor Bugs terrorized by a gang of canine toughs led by a bullying bulldog who smokes a cigar and wears a derby and a turtleneck sweater. He's subjected to a cruel "dog pile on the rabbit," but our wily Bugs soon turns the tables on these toughs. Bugs subjects his main tormenter to pies in his face; a confusing performance in front of an Egyptian cigarette billboard; a fall from the top of a building; and an embarrassing entanglement in a series of clotheslines. Bugs Bunny finds his real saviors are Betty Smith and a book title calculated to win the heart of any New York bow-wow.Bugs Bunny sings "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" and Carl Stalling provides memorable music for the Egyptian billboard scene in this fine short from Friz Freleng and his team. My favorite gag: the bulldog's method for getting through his gang after they've blocked the alleyway from Bugs. The renowned rabbit relates his life story again in "What's Up Doc?" (1950).This cartoon is available on the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume Three," Disc 1.