Showing posts with label Bugs Bunny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bugs Bunny. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

A Month of... Celebrities in Comics, Day 25: What's Errol Flynn got that Porky hasn't?

The very early days of Looney Tunes comics, like the cartoon films contemporary to the period, played on the idea that the stars actually had regular lives that we were sometimes privy to observing. (SEE: The Jack Benny Program, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, etc.) That's definitely true of this early Looney Tunes comic book (excuse the rough reproduction; it's from a microfiche) in which Porky isn't just a ________ (fill in the blank of whatever Warner Bros. cartoon you've most recently watched: farmer, legionnaire, race horse owner, gob), but he's a genuine big-time Hollywood star! Complete with fans!


Panels from the Porky Pig story in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics (1941 series) #2 (November 1941), pencils and inks by Roger Armstrong (?)

Oh course, where Porky's a celebrity at a celebrity restaurant, you have other celebrities rubbing his pork shoulders! First panel: James Cagney, Groucho and Harpo Marx! Second panel: Dorothy Lamour! Fourth panel! Jimmy Stewart!


But, at least as far as the Warner Bros. cartoon department is concerned, the biggest celebrity cameo appearance is by Leon Schlesinger, producer of the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, therefore making him Porky's boss! In a relationship that will surprise no one, Schlesinger was also nepotistically related to the actual Warner Bros. As Raul Julia would sing: "Harry, Sammy, Irving, and Jack!"


Here's an actual, I mean real-life, son, appearance by Leon Schlesinger in the May 1940 Looney Tunes short "You Ought to Be in Pictures." The timing of this followed by the comic book about a year later tells me the cartoon likely inspired Leon's appearance in this comic story.


Looney Tunes "You Ought to Be in Pictures" (1940), story by Jack Miller, voices by Mel Blanc, music by Carl W. Stalling, produced by Leon Schlesinger, directed by Friz Freleng

Leon Schlesinger is also boss of Warners' stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. And probably even that %!#@^ing Buddy.


Later, Elmer tries to convince Leon that Porky should go west, and Schlesinger thinks he means "rest," and oh boy, hilarity ensues.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

A Four Color Christmas, Day 15: How Yosemite Sam Stole Christmas


Cover of Four Color #1064 [Bugs Bunny's Merry Christmas] (December 1959), pencils and inks by Ralph Heimdahl

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Here's hoping you have a 24-Carrot 2013!


Back cover pin-up from Bugs Bunny's Christmas Funnies #8 (December 1957)


Friday, September 21, 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Official Comic Book Panel of the Day of the 2012 Olympics, Day 3



Panel from Four Color #432 [Bugs Bunny and the Rabbit Olympics] (October-November 1952), script by Don R. Christensen, pencils and inks by Fred Abranz


Saturday, August 08, 2009

Separated at Birth: "Eh, what's originality, Doc?"

Bugs #118/#176
L: Bugs Bunny #118 (1968?)
R: Bugs Bunny #176 (1976?)
(Click picture to wabbit-size)



Saturday, January 10, 2009

Saturday Morning Cartoon: Bully for Bugs


"Bully for Bugs" (1953), directed by Chuck Jones.
Read more about this classic Looney Tunes cartoon.
Cartoon suggested by the Queen o' my heart, Lucy Anne



Saturday, April 15, 2006

The story of Easter...as told by cover book covers with bunnies on them.

Once, long ago, a man was born on Christmas.


He looked like an ordinary man...


...but he had amazing powers.


In the years following, his fame spread.


He gained quite a following...


...and gathered around him a group of learned companions.


He walked on water...


...and many other amazing feats...


...more impressive than the Roman gods.


But most important, he preached a message of love.


Not everyone loved him, however.


The powers-that-be were annoyed...


...and kept a close eye on him...


...and his unusual ways.


Following his last supper,


...almost everyone turned against him.


Even his close friends betrayed him.


The Romans pursued him...


...and finally got him in the end.


Although he could have defied them,


...he accepted that his fate was sealed.


They marched him up a hill.


The decree was death...


...and they killed him.


He rose up in three days.


He was back!


He ascended to be alongside his father and spirit.


Today, many tales are told of him...


Sadly, much violence is done "in his name."


But those who truly know him, know that he taught us to stand against evil,


To be kind to our brothers,


And most important, he taught us to love.


Happy Easter, everyone.



(Images from The Grand Comic Book Database)