I don’t see it as particularly deceitful on the part of Warner Bros. to publicize the new Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection as containing sixty of his most delectable short films, but it gives the collection short shrift. There are about another ten spirited away as extras, inclusive of the Roadshow Director’s Cut of Hare Ribbin’, Mr. Clampett’s 1944 Technicolor epic that was the first use of the WB shield going to Bug’s head.
This is nowhere near a complete Bugs collection, not even compleat.
It begins in with Chuck Jones’ Elmer’s Candid Camera, which was released in March of 1940, and uses an earlier incarnation of Mr. Bunny. It’s also Elmer’s first appearance as such, although a prototypical form was seen earlier.
A sort-of Mr. Bunny appeared earlier in Ben Hardaway’s April, 1938, Porky’s Hare Hunt, with the character simply identified as “rabbit.”
The quality varies for the 60+ films. Some appear to be more recent image harvests from original SE elements, while others appear to have come from IPs or other dupes.
The older transfers can be identified by the window-boxed main titles.
Generally, color is very nice to superb, and audio follows suit.
As a devotee of Mr. Bunny, I’d love to see more of his work. He appeared in around 160 short animated films, so there’s a way to go.
Possibly an 81st Anniversary, Volume two?
For those into minutia, the numbers as seen in the main titles, are the Vitaphone release numbers.
All of that noted, the release seems to harken back to the bad old days at Warners, when the studio
would release huge boxed sets, inclusive of a miniature of Clark Gable’s dentures, genuine sparkly
ruby slippers in miniature, et al.
For Bugs 80th, the set (which is in a large box) includes a made in Vietnam sparkly miniature of
Bugs.
And the set, albeit in three discs, with all of the accoutrements, is currently $80.
Sorry, but that just seems a bit steep.
Image – 3.5 – 5
Audio – 4 – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD (where applicable) – Yes
Highly Recommended
RAH
Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection [Blu-ray]
41% Off $74.99 $39.99
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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