Toon Zone Talkback - "Looney Tunes: The Essential Bugs Bunny" Coming in October

[Classic Speedy]

This is the talkback thread for "Looney Tunes: The Essential Bugs Bunny" Coming in October (http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/34091/looney-tunes-the-essential-bugs-bunny-coming-in-october).

Interesting. I initially wasn't planning on buying this, but since it'll contain three new-to-DVD shorts (wonder what they could be?) and the uncut "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers"... it's now on my wish list.

[Blipsy]

If it really does have the uncut version of "Invasion of The Bunny Snatchers", then I will buy this DVD in an instant. Certainly doesn't hurt that I don't have any of the Golden Collection DVDs and this sounds like it will have a lot of other cool things on it.

[Nexonius]

From what I saw, the other new to DVD shorts are Carrotblanca and the Larry Doyle helmed Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas on the poster. I'll buy it just for the sake of the uncut version of Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers. They could have also added Box Office Bunny and Blooper Bunny, but I'll still buy it nonetheless.

[Hey Steve]

From what I saw, the other new to DVD shorts are Carrotblanca and the Larry Doyle helmed Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas on the poster. I'll buy it just for the sake of the uncut version of Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers. They could have also added Box Office Bunny and Blooper Bunny, but I'll still buy it nonetheless.

I would maybe count "Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas" as a new-to-DVD short, although I am really hoping it is included as a bonus short as opposed to being part of the main program. Either way, it has never been on DVD before.

"Carrotblanca" has previously been released on DVD and Blu-Ray on the release of the film it pays homage to, "Casablanca". The edited version of "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers" is on the Special Edition DVD release of "Space Jam", but the fact that this upcoming set is supposed to have the uncut version is something to consider if you are on the fence of whether you'll buy it or not.

To sum things up, I really hope the 3 new-to-DVD shorts are actually selections from the classic Bugs era (1940-1964).

[Spike Mcdougal]

Invasion of The Bunny Snatchers was the one with the huge alien carrots right?

What was edited from it?

[Jon Cooke]

Invasion of The Bunny Snatchers was the one with the huge alien carrots right?

What was edited from it?

The version on the Space Jam DVD cut out all the scenes with Yosemite Sam.

[Classic Speedy]

To sum things up, I really hope the 3 new-to-DVD shorts are actually selections from the classic Bugs era (1940-1964). As do I, though if nothing else, "Carrotblanca" probably won't be part of the three new-to-DVD shorts, as it was already mentioned that the short was released with the "Casablanca" DVDs. So that still leaves one open spot if "Hare and Loathing" and the uncut "Bunny Snatchers" are the two others.

[dth1971]

If this Essensial Bugs Bunny DVD sells well, will other Looney Tunes get Essensial DVD sets of their own?

[Toonatic]

It's tempting, but I just hope WB will make it right and not make it into a rehash. So, here's what I think will be included in my mind:

14 cartoons outside the Golden/Super Stars Collection (including TV specials), 3 new to DVD shorts (in bold):

-A Wild Hare
-Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt
-What's Cookin' Doc?
-Fresh Hare
-Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk
-Racketeer Rabbit
-Hot Cross Bunny
-Hare Splitter
-His Hare-Raising Tale
-Captain Hareblower
-Yankee Doodle Bugs
-Piker's Peak
-Bugsy and Mugsy
-Portrait of the Artist as a Young Bunny
-Invasion Of The Bunny Snatchers
-Carrotbanca
-Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas

This would be a great list wouldn't it?

[KJ Styles]

I'll definitely be buying this, especially for the Invasion Of The Bunny Snatchers and Busgy and Mugsy shorts. Those are two of my favorite Bugs Bunny shorts. I hope this leads to other Looney Tunes getting their own essential sets as well. A Foghorn Leghorn set would be AWESOME!

[chalmers]

A Foghorn Leghorn set would be AWESOME!

We are getting a Foghorn set, it just won't be "The Essential Foghorn Leghorn", instead it will be released under the Super Stars banner that starts in August.

http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showthread.php?t=14789&highlight=foghorn+leghorn

[Classic Speedy]

I'll definitely be buying this, especially for the Invasion Of The Bunny Snatchers and Busgy and Mugsy shorts. Those are two of my favorite Bugs Bunny shorts. Um, just to set the record straight: "Bugsy and Mugsy" hasn't been revealed as a cartoon on this set. Toonatic merely listed it as a cartoon he'd like to see on it.

[Hey Steve]

It's tempting, but I just hope WB will make it right and not make it into a rehash. So, here's what I think will be included in my mind:

14 cartoons outside the Golden/Super Stars Collection (including TV specials), 3 new to DVD shorts (in bold):

-A Wild Hare
-Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt
-What's Cookin' Doc?
-Fresh Hare
-Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk
-Racketeer Rabbit
-Hot Cross Bunny
-Hare Splitter
-His Hare-Raising Tale
-Captain Hareblower
-Yankee Doodle Bugs
-Piker's Peak
-Bugsy and Mugsy
-Portrait of the Artist as a Young Bunny
-Invasion Of The Bunny Snatchers
-Carrotbanca
-Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas

This would be a great list wouldn't it?

As much as I like that list, without a doubt WB too cheap to make this set entirely new content in addition to the 3 new-to-DVD shorts and the bonus materials.

The best we can really hope for is that "Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers" is included as a bonus as opposed to being part of the main program, and allowing "Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas" to be one of the 3 newbies, hopefully the other two will be from the classic era.

While that list does represent cartoons that are on other DVD's as bonus content, nowadays, WB is just not shelling out the money for restoration on these shorts like they previously did on the Golden Collections. The flyer advertisement posted on the Home Theater Forums uses screen caps from "Baseball Bugs", "Rabbit of Seville" and "Carrotblanca" almost guaranteeing that 14 of the 17 on this set have been previously restored for a DVD release.

Right now, my decision to buy this lies entirely on what the new-to-DVD shorts are as well as what the bonus content is going to be in addition to what has already been revealed.

[Nexonius]

You know, I wonder if WB would do a Daffy set. He evolved too, you know.

[PhygLeGuy]

The version on the Space Jam DVD cut out all the scenes with Yosemite Sam.
FWIW: According to my memory -- not exactly unaided -- when CN ran Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers during June Bugs 2001, there was plenty of Sam during its 11:25 run time.

[Nexonius]

The cartoons I want on the Bugs Bunny set:

A Wild Hare
What's Cookin' Doc?
Falling Hare
Little Red Riding Rabbit
Hare Force
Baseball Bugs
The Big Snooze
Rhapsody Rabbit
Slick Hare
A Hare Grows in Manhattan
Long Haired Hare
Rabbit of Seville
Any Rabbit/Duck Season short
What's Opera Doc?
Show Biz Bugs
Baton Bunny
Transylvannia 6-5000 (One of the very few good shorts of the 60s).


I just think these are the well known cartoons we know off our tongue, I believe.

[cognitofalcon]

I wouldn't mind seeing Rabbit Rampage appear on this set. Anyone else with me?

[KJ Styles]

We are getting a Foghorn set, it just won't be "The Essential Foghorn Leghorn", instead it will be released under the Super Stars banner that starts in August.

http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showthread.php?t=14789&highlight=foghorn+leghorn

That's excellent news, I'll be picking that one up as well. Foghorn is the most underrated LT character IMO.

[Christmas_Boy]

This is a different set continuity than the August set? I wish they'd just go with one and stick with it.

[Toonatic]

DVDaf has revealed the cartoon list:

http://www.dvdaf.com/search.html?reldt=2010&pub=warner&rel=a&has=essential+bugs+bunny&rgn=us&init_form=str0_reldt_2010*str1_pub_warner*str2_rel_a*str3_has_essential+bugs+bunny*rgn_us

-Elmer's Candid Camera
-A Wild Hare
-The Old Grey Hare
-Baseball Bugs
-Hair-Raising Hare
-Haredevil Hare
-8 Ball Bunny
-Rabbit of Seville
-Rabbit Fire
-Show Biz Bugs
-Knighty Knight Bugs
-What's Opera, Doc?
+ Any Bonds Today?
+ How Bugs Bunny Won the West
+ Bugs Bunny's Wild World of Sports
+ Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers
+ Carrotblanca
+ Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas

[Classic Speedy]

^ In case anyone asks, here's the source on that (http://www.wbshop.com/The-Essential-Bugs-Bunny/1000150881,default,pd.html?cgid=PRE), so the TZ article is updated. It looks like two of the new-to-DVD cartoons were merely TV specials. Disappointing.

[chalmers]

Any Bonds Today? Hmm, that sounds interesting, I wonder if Bugs' Sammy bit will survive the release.

[cognitofalcon]

Any Bonds Today? Hmm, that sounds interesting, I wonder if Bugs' Sammy bit will survive the release.

I imagine, everyother cartoon has been uncut so far

[speedy fast]

I'm not sure if I'll buy this. I am tempted because of Any Bonds Today (as long as it's uncut), and it might be good to see Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas once (ONCE!), but I already have copies of all the Golden Collections and have all of those cartoons (though I don't have A Wild Hare remastered).

I realize that this is meant for casual fans who don't have the Golden Collections, and there's only a handful of cartoons I'd call "essential" to a Bugs Bunny collection that weren't released on those sets. But regardless of who it's aimed at, it seems like a measley release. I know that Warner has a budget to remaster only 60 WB shorts a year, but since most of the essential Bugs Bunny cartoons have already been remastered, this set could easily have a lot more than 30 cartoons. Unless Warner plans on making this a series of releases. I'm surprised that only one classic Yosimite Sam cartoon is included. I feel it also needs some Cecil Turtle and Tasmanian Devil cartoons, maybe also Bugs and Thugs and Operation: Rabbit.

[Christmas_Boy]

If WB restores 60 WB shorts a year where is the surplus of 120+ shorts for the past 2 years?

[Hey Steve]

If WB restores 60 WB shorts a year where is the surplus of 120+ shorts for the past 2 years?

Well, for 2008 we did get 60. For last year, it was announced ahead of time that WB had no big plans for Looney Tunes on DVD, which is why there weren't any being restored. You can thank the current state of the United States economy for being a factor in that decision. With each successive volume of the Golden Collection, sales had dropped off, and the series was officially supposed to be cancelled after Vol. 5, but a certain someone named Jerry Beck convinced the Warner executives to allow one more volume in the series in order to release a bunch of the rarities that would otherwise probably never get a release.

With many Americans living on a tighter budget than they used to have, DVD sales in particular have slowed down (and Blu-Ray really hasn't been too much of a factor in that, either). The fact is, a DVD is entertainment, and while watching movies, cartoons and TV shows you enjoy will satisfy your wants to be entertained, it certainly is nowhere close to being as important as the things that a person actually needs, such as food, clothing, gas for their vehicle, rent/mortgage payments, etc.

Just be lucky that WB has decided to resume the restoration on classic Looney Tunes shorts (although their current focus is on those released in 1953 or later).

With all said and done, we all have a very good reason to look forward to August, 10, when the first two discs in the "Looney Tunes Super Stars" series hit stores, and rumor has it, two more releases are planned for release by the end of the year.

[Christmas_Boy]

What I had always heard about WB is they are always restoring their films so they have them for future release. That is why I said where are the 60 cartoons restored for 2009. I was only aware of the 2 August releases which make 30 hence my asking where the next 60 are.

My only fears of the new series is we'll start seeing repeats soon, the non popular characters will be forgotten, and if only the later toons are being restored then the older cartoons are in danger of being lost.

I agree that people aren't going to buy DVDs when they need other things. I fear that this new series will retail at 20.00 per disc though so it may defeat the purpose. If we get 4 a year I'll be thrilled as long as we get all of the Toons in the end.

What about all of the Looney Toons shorts that have been featured on WB DVD releases as a cartoon on a bill? Many of these have not been in the 4 disc sets and I beleve some, if not all, were restored before their inclusion on such DVDs. Why not port all of those over onto some sets for us fans?

[Hey Steve]

What I had always heard about WB is they are always restoring their films so they have them for future release. That is why I said where are the 60 cartoons restored for 2009. I was only aware of the 2 August releases which make 30 hence my asking where the next 60 are.

My only fears of the new series is we'll start seeing repeats soon, the non popular characters will be forgotten, and if only the later toons are being restored then the older cartoons are in danger of being lost.

I agree that people aren't going to buy DVDs when they need other things. I fear that this new series will retail at 20.00 per disc though so it may defeat the purpose. If we get 4 a year I'll be thrilled as long as we get all of the Toons in the end.

What about all of the Looney Toons shorts that have been featured on WB DVD releases as a cartoon on a bill? Many of these have not been in the 4 disc sets and I beleve some, if not all, were restored before their inclusion on such DVDs. Why not port all of those over onto some sets for us fans?

Actually, those cartoons that have been released as a bonus to a feature-film have not been restored (unless it was a cartoon that had previously been restored for a release on a Golden Collection)

WB does care about their Looney Tunes to the point where they won't let them get lost. They want to restore the entire library, but realistically, it will be several decades before that can happen. Not to mention, film preservation is an expensive project in general. Given the fact that WB is restoring their cartoons should assure you that they think they are valuable, and full of potential to earn them profits.

What happened with the Golden Collections was that after the first few volumes, sales slowed down because that is just what happens when you factor in casual buyers. Most casual buyers are satisfied with owning Vol. 1 and don't want to spend all that money on each successive volume. Since these sets retail around $65, WB really is better off releasing individual, character-specific discs that feature the most well-known characters. Yes, these individual discs do retail around $20, but most outlets will be selling them for around $15 each.

At the moment, the reason why they are focusing on the post-1953 cartoons is because they were made during the "widescreen era" of film, and WB's main focus right now is to restore their widescreen films.

Jerry Beck has assured us that we won't be seeing any repeats from previous releases if the disc is being put together with collectors in mind. Releases like Spotlight Collection Vol. 7 and The Essential Bugs Bunny are being made for the more casual buyer, which is why all the classic era shorts on those sets are repeats. But, unless WB does something drastic, we won't be seeing any repeats alongside cartoons that had not been previously restored for a DVD release.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

My philosophy when it comes to Warner Bros. and MGM cartoons is: The older, the better.

So if this "Essential" collection doesn't have the earliest Bugs Bunny cartoons, then it's not essential to me.

[Christmas_Boy]

If they were more than half way through the Looney Toons then why will it take several decades to restore the remaining 400 or 500?

I thought the character specific releases made the most sense from the beginning but I think Jerry Beck said they went the 4 disc route to get the more obscure stuff out there. My “fear” is that the older, B&W ones will never see release because they are a fringe item being B&W and not as great as the 40’s Toons. Can you see a casual buyer getting a Buddy or Bosko or Misc. B&W volume? Even I have a hard time with that given that Vol. 6 got a lot of bad reviews from casual buyers over the B&W and war toons. I’d still love to see it all released but worry it never will. It’s a similar situation with the MGM toons. After Tom & Jerry and Droopy the rest are more fringe characters. I even question if a Tex Avery set would appeal to a casual consumer even though we animation nuts all want it.

I wasn’t aware that many of the Looney Toons were in widescreen. I assumed they focused on them because they are part of the bunch most frequently seen on TV over the decades.

Will the new and unedited shorts on the October Bugs set be included in the collector’s series eventually?

Can you please ask Jerry Beck what WB may do with the MGM cartoons? A lot of collectors want those. Does he also know anything on the censored WB and MGM toons being released through the WB Archive? Thanks!

[chalmers]

So if this "Essential" collection doesn't have the earliest Bugs Bunny cartoons, then it's not essential to me.
Bob Clampett and Tex Avery aren't the only directors that made good Bugs Bunny cartoons, you know. There are several great Jones and Freleng cartoons on this set, like Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Of Seville, and Knighty Knight Bugs, all of which came out in the 50's.

But whatever, if you don't want cartoons like this just because they aren't as old as other Bugs shorts are, that's you're choice. I just think you're being a bit unfair.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Bob Clampett and Tex Avery aren't the only directors that made good Bugs Bunny cartoons, you know. There are several great Jones and Freleng cartoons on this set, like Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Of Seville, and Knighty Knight Bugs, all of which came out in the 50's.

But whatever, if you don't want cartoons like this just because they aren't as old as other Bugs shorts are, that's you're choice. I just think you're being a bit unfair.

I want all of them actually! Yes, I especially like the older ones, but a collection is not really "essential" to me unless the best of all eras are represented.

[speedy fast]

I want all of them actually! Yes, I especially like the older ones, but a collection is not really "essential" to me unless the best of all eras are represented.

This release appears to be even between the pre-and post-1948 shorts (though there doesn't appear to be any post-1960 cartoons on disc 1). Six pre-48, six post-48. I do question Elmer's Pet Rabbit being included (if I were in charge I'd rather include Porky's Hare Hunt or Hare 'Um Scare 'Um, though Elmer's Pet Rabbit has the advantage of being remastered already; But I would have made a "Before Bugs was Bugs" features section).

[Classic Speedy]

Article updated AGAIN with the finalized contents. Looks like "Any Bonds Today" and "The Bugs Bunny Show" are both cut, sadly.

[Darklordavaitor]

Article updated AGAIN with the finalized contents. Looks like "Any Bonds Today" and "The Bugs Bunny Show" are both cut, sadly.
Ugh, really? I had a feeling "Any Bonds Today" would be cut, but The Bugs Bunny Show episode is one of the things in particular that I was looking forward to. I'll still probably get this since I can't afford to get the rest of the Golden Collections(only have V's 1 and 6), but my anticipation for this set is dying down more each day.

I haven't checked GAC yet today, but are we also getting the Essential Daffy Duck set?

[WaggonerCartoons]

I haven't checked GAC yet today, but are we also getting the Essential Daffy Duck set?

That would be awesome, I actually have a list of stuff I would Like to see on the Essential Daffy set if they ever make it.

Classic Cartoons:
*Porky's Duck Hunt
*Daffy Duck and Egghead
*Yankee Doodle Daffy
*Plane Daffy
*Daffy Doodles
*The Great Piggy Bank Robbery
*Drip Along Daffy
*Rabbit Seasoning
*Duck Amuck
*Duck Dodgers of the 24th 1/2 Century
*Robin Hood Daffy
*Ducking the Devil

Through the Decades:
*It's Nice to have a Mouse around the House (First Cartoon with Speedy)
*Daffy Duck's Easter Egg-Citement Special
*Duck Dodgers and the Return of the 24th 1/2 Century (Uncut Version)
*The Duxorist
*The Night of the Living Duck
*Superior Duck
*Attack of the Drones (2003 Larry Doyle)
*Duck Dodgers Episode "Horray for Hollywood Planet"
*Daffy For President
*If possible an episode from The Looney Tunes Show

[Classic Speedy]

Ugh, really? I had a feeling "Any Bonds Today" would be cut, but The Bugs Bunny Show episode is one of the things in particular that I was looking forward to. I'll still probably get this since I can't afford to get the rest of the Golden Collections(only have V's 1 and 6), but my anticipation for this set is dying down more each day. You only have vols. 1 & 6 and have no intention of buying the other GCs right now? At least you'll have less duplicates than those who have bought all 6 GCs. These shorts will be new to you:
-A Wild Hare
-The Old Grey Hare
-8 Ball Bunny
-Show Biz Bugs
-Knighty Knight Bugs
-What's Opera, Doc?
-The TV specials
-Carrotblanca
-Hare and Loathing in Las Vegas
-Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers

I haven't checked GAC yet today, but are we also getting the Essential Daffy Duck set? It's been brought up, but nothing's been confirmed at this early in the stage.

[speedy fast]

That would be awesome, I actually have a list of stuff I would Like to see on the Essential Daffy set if they ever make it.

Classic Cartoons:
*Porky's Duck Hunt
*Daffy Duck and Egghead
*Yankee Doodle Daffy
*Plane Daffy
*Daffy Doodles
*The Great Piggy Bank Robbery
*Drip Along Daffy
*Rabbit Seasoning
*Duck Amuck
*Duck Dodgers of the 24th 1/2 Century
*Robin Hood Daffy
*Ducking the Devil


I wouldn't expect Plane Daffy to appear on such a set. That one has rarely been shown on TV. I'd say Draftee Daffy has a better chance.

[tetraxlink]

Cant wait to get this i missed out on the goldern collections 5 and 6 so i'm going to buy these. i hope warner bros makes a sylvester one as well.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

Because I don't own any of the Golden Collections, I broke down and ordered this Essential Bugs Bunny collection today from Amazon.com (along with The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie) -- Mostly for my son who loves Bugs Bunny.

I really hope they release an Essential Daffy Duck collection soon as well, since I love early Daffy even more than Bugs.




That would be awesome, I actually have a list of stuff I would Like to see on the Essential Daffy set if they ever make it.

Classic Cartoons:
*Porky's Duck Hunt
*Daffy Duck and Egghead
*Yankee Doodle Daffy
*Plane Daffy
*Daffy Doodles
*The Great Piggy Bank Robbery
*Drip Along Daffy
*Rabbit Seasoning
*Duck Amuck
*Duck Dodgers of the 24th 1/2 Century
*Robin Hood Daffy
*Ducking the Devil

Through the Decades:
*It's Nice to have a Mouse around the House (First Cartoon with Speedy)
*Daffy Duck's Easter Egg-Citement Special
*Duck Dodgers and the Return of the 24th 1/2 Century (Uncut Version)
*The Duxorist
*The Night of the Living Duck
*Superior Duck
*Attack of the Drones (2003 Larry Doyle)
*Duck Dodgers Episode "Horray for Hollywood Planet"
*Daffy For President
*If possible an episode from The Looney Tunes Show


That's a great wish list! Although, I feel it also needs to include Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur as an essential classic.

And what about the old short where Daffy and Porky try to escape the hotel without paying? I forget the title, but it had a guest appearance by Bugs Bunny at the end.


:daffy:

[Classic Speedy]

And what about the old short where Daffy and Porky try to escape the hotel without paying? I forget the title, but it had a guest appearance by Bugs Bunny at the end.


:daffy: That's "Porky Pig's Feat", 1943 by Frank Tashlin. One of my all-time favorite cartoons. It's available on Golden Collection Vol. 3.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

That's "Porky Pig's Feat", 1943 by Frank Tashlin. One of my all-time favorite cartoons. It's available on Golden Collection Vol. 3.

Only Porky got his name in the title for that one!? Despicable! Daffy's the main act!

But, yeah, it is a great one. Hopefully it can be included on an Essential Porky Pig collection sometime in the future (after we get Daffy, of course). I'm trying to stay away from the expensive Golden Collections for now, but I'd love an essential collection of each of my three favorites-- Bugs, Daffy and Porky.


Edited to add:

Oh, and I just remembered! What about the short where Daffy is a door-to-door book salesman and he's targeted for dinner by the very hungry Yosemite Sam and his black-bearded twin brother? What was the name of that short? That's a great one too!

:daffy:

[Darklordavaitor]

Edited to add:

Oh, and I just remembered! What about the short where Daffy is a door-to-door book salesman and he's targeted for dinner by the very hungry Yosemite Sam and his black-bearded twin brother? What was the name of that short? That's a great one too!

:daffy:

"Along Came Daffy". I'm not sure if that one is on DVD yet though.

[Bat-Fan Beyond]

"Along Came Daffy". I'm not sure if that one is on DVD yet though.


Cool, thanks! That's another I'd like to see on the Essential Daffy Duck collection.