Baseball Bugs: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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| layout_artist = [[Hawley Pratt]]

| background_artist = [[Paul Julian (artist)|Paul Julian]]

| starring = [[Mel Blanc]]<br>[[Frank Graham (voice actor)|Frank Graham]] (uncredited)<br>[[Tedd Pierce]] (uncredited)<br>[[Bea Benaderet]] (uncredited)

| music = [[Carl W. Stalling]]

| producer = [[Edward Selzer]] (uncredited)

| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]

| released = {{Film date|1946|02|02}}

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}}

'''''Baseball Bugs''''' is a 1946 [[Warner Bros.]] ''[[Looney Tunes]]'' theatrical [[animated cartoon]] directed by [[Friz Freleng]].<ref name=Beck>{{cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Jerry |last2=Friedwald |first2=Will |title=Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons |date=1989 |publisher=Henry Holt and Co |isbn=0-8050-0894-2 |page=164}}</ref> The short was released on February 2, 1946, and stars [[Bugs Bunny]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |access-date=6 June 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780816038312/page/58/mode/2up |pages=58–62}}</ref>

In the [[short film|short]], Bugs Bunny singlehandedly defeats the "Gas-House Gorillas", a [[baseball]] team of hulking, cigar-chomping bullies. The cartoon has been called Bugs "at his best" and is still referenced by baseball fans and observers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010/-oct/-12/entertainment/-la-et-bugs-bunny-20101012-story.html|title = Bugs Bunny, role model with a cottontail| website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date = 12 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2018/05/09/looney-tunes-help-baltimore-orioles/|title=Looney Tunes Offer to Help Losing Baltimore Orioles|date=9 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/celebrate-national-bugs-bunny-day-with-his-pitching/c-274506070|title = This National Bugs Bunny Day, let's remember his simply unhittable pitching career| website=[[MLB.com]] | date=30 April 2018 }}</ref>▼

▲In the [[short film|short]], Bugs Bunny singlehandedly defeats the "Gas-House Gorillas", a [[baseball]] team of hulking, cigar-chomping bullies. The cartoon has been called Bugs "at his best" and is still referenced by baseball fans and observers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/12/entertainment/la-et-bugs-bunny-20101012|title = Bugs Bunny, role model with a cottontail| website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date = 12 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2018/05/09/looney-tunes-help-baltimore-orioles/|title=Looney Tunes Offer to Help Losing Baltimore Orioles|date=9 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/celebrate-national-bugs-bunny-day-with-his-pitching/c-274506070|title = This National Bugs Bunny Day, let's remember his simply unhittable pitching career| website=[[MLB.com]] }}</ref>

==Overview==

''Baseball Bugs'' was directed by [[Friz Freleng]] and written by [[Michael Maltese]]. Voice characterizations were performed by [[Mel Blanc]], with additional uncredited performances by [[Bea Benaderet]] as Lady Liberty, and [[Tedd Pierce]] as the stadium announcer and several of the Gas-House Gorillas.

The cartoon's title is a [[double entendre|double play on words]]. "Bugs" was then a common nickname for someone who was considered to be crazy, erratic, or fanatical. In addition to its adjective form being the indirect inspiration for the Bunny's name, the noun form was sometimes applied to sports fans.

==Plot==

A baseball game takes place at the [[Polo Grounds]] in [[New York City]], featuring the Gas-House Gorillas and the Tea Totallers. The former, a burly and intimidating team reminiscent of the real-life Gashouse Gang, dominates the elderly players of the home team and intimidates the umpire with their aggressive play. Bugs Bunny, observing from his burrow in the outfield, becomes incensed by the unfair tactics of the Gorillas and challenges them.

A baseball game is going on in [[New York City]] at the [[Polo Grounds]] (but the depiction of the frieze on the top deck was borrowed from [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]), between the visiting [[Gas House district|Gas-House]] Gorillas (a parody of the real life [[Gashouse Gang]] which was the nickname of the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] teams of the early 1930s who were known for their shabby and unkempt appearance) and the home team, the [[Teetotalism|Tea Totallers]]. The game is not going well for the home team as the Gorillas, a group of oversized rough-necks, are not only dominating the Tea Totallers, a team made up of just one elderly player, but intimidating the umpire by knocking him into the ground like a tent peg after he makes a "ball" judgment instead of a "strike". The Gorillas' home runs go screaming, literally, out of the ballpark and the batters form a [[conga]] line, each hitter whacking a ball out.

Forced to play all positions against the Gorillas, Bugs employs clever strategies to level the playing field. Despite initial setbacks, Bugs showcases his athleticism and wit, thwarting the Gorillas' attempts to maintain their dominance. Through comedic antics and resourcefulness, Bugs manages to score runs and outsmart his opponents, much to their chagrin.

Bugs Bunny, watching from his hole in the outfield, is fed up with the unfair game and the Gas-House Gorillas playing dirty. He [[trash talking|talks trash]] against the Gorillas, claiming that he could win the game single-handedly with an endless barrage of home runs. He loses a bit of his bravado when he suddenly gets surrounded by the Gorillas. They force him to take up his own challenge and, as a result, Bugs now has to play all the positions on the opposing team, including speeding from the mound to behind the plate to catch his own pitches.

As the game progresses, Bugs finds himself in a decisive moment in the final inning, with the Gorillas closing in on victory. In a dramatic climax, Bugs embarks on a daring pursuit to retrieve a home run ball launched out of the stadium. With ingenuity and determination, Bugs ultimately secures the ball atop the Umpire State Building, ensuring victory for his team.

Bugs throws his fastball so hard that it zips by the Gorillas' batter but, as he catches it, he is propelled off-screen, crashing into the backstop. In the course of his dual role, he shouts encouraging words to the pitcher before going back to the mound to make the next pitch, then returning to home plate to catch it. Next, Bugs decides to "perplex 'em with [his] slowball", throwing a [[Eephus pitch|pitch ''so'' slow]] that [[immaculate inning|three Gorillas in a row strike out]] attempting to hit it.

==Voice cast==▼

For his first time up, Bugs selects a bat from the [[batboy]], a literal hybrid of a [[bat]] and a boy. As promised, Bugs starts smacking the ball. On the first pitch, he makes a long hit, dashing around the bases while also showing off for the crowd, only to find a grinning Gorilla holding the ball just ahead of home plate, just waiting to tag him out to once again prove their superiority. To allow himself to score his first run, Bugs pulls out a pin-up poster, which distracts the Gorilla player. The scoreboard now shows the Gorillas as the home team, with 96 runs, and Bugs batting in the top of the fifth with one run so far.

* [[Mel Blanc]] as [[Bugs Bunny]], Grandpa-BaseballTea Totaller, Umpire, Gas-House Gorilla, Second Sportscaster▼

* [[Frank Graham (voice actor)|Frank Graham]] as Commentator, Gas-House GorillaSportscaster<ref>{{cite book |last=Beck |first=Jerry |date=September 1, 2020 |title=The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes |publisher=Insight Editions |page=15 |isbn=978-1647221379}}</ref>▼

* [[Tedd Pierce]] as AnnouncerLead Gas-Radio,House UmpireGorilla▼

* [[Bea Benaderet]] as [[Statue of Liberty]]▼

==Production notes==

Bugs hits another one deep, and while rounding the bases, a Gorilla ambushes the plate umpire and puts on his uniform. Bugs slides into home, obviously safe, but the fake umpire calls him out. Bugs gets in his face, actually behind the umpire mask, and argues the call, pulling his time-honored word-switching gag until the umpire ends up demanding that Bugs accept the safe call or go to the showers. Bugs gives in, and the faux-umpire gets wise too late as the board flashes another run.

''Baseball Bugs,'' directed by Friz Freleng and written by Michael Maltese, features voice characterizations by Mel Blanc, along with additional uncredited performances by Bea Benaderet, Frank Graham, and Tedd Pierce. The title serves as a double entendre, playing on the term "Bugs" as both a nickname for eccentric individuals and a nod to sports fandom. This cartoon also draws inspiration from a previous Columbia Pictures production, ''Football Bugs,'' released in 1936.

===Billboards===▼

Bugs slams a third pitch, and as the ball soars across the field, one Gorilla in the outfield races towards the ball with his mitt, screaming, ''"I got it, I got it, I got it!'', only for the ball to hit him with an incredibly strong impact and drive him underground; a gravestone then pops up from underground, reading "He got it". Bugs then whacks the fourth pitch, and a burly, cigar-smoking Gorilla attempts to catch it, but the ball strikes him in the face - with the powerful impact sending him backward and smack into a large wooden sign, which reads, "Does your tobacco taste different lately?".

* The outfield wall features an ad for "Mike Maltese, Ace DetectiveDick," refersa nod to writer [[Michael Maltese]], with "Dick" being slang for "detective" from the comic strip ''[[Dick Tracy]]''.▼

* Another ad on the wall promotes "Filboid Studge," a fictional breakfast cereal from a short story by British writer [[Saki]].

* The ad nextAdjacent to "Filboid Studge" is an ad for "Culvert Gin,", a humorous take-off on "Calvert Gin."▼

* The wall ads onOn the third base side, arewall forads include "Manza Champagne"," "Lausbub's Bread," and "Ross. Co. Finer Footwear for the Brats," namedpaying forhomage to animator [[Virgil Ross]].▼

* The ads on the leftLeft field wall areads forfeature "Camuel's," (a referenceplay toon [[Camel (cigarette)|Camel Cigarettes)]], and "Urbo."▼

* AnotherAn outfield sign reading "Daltol" refers toreferences animator [[Cal Dalton]]., Awith a nearby product named "Chi-Chi." is on a sign to the left.▼

* TheBugs Bunny's sign held by Bugs after the 2ndsecond out, statingreading "Was this trip really necessary?," refersalludes to gas rationing during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1754-9434.2009.01174.x | volume=2 | title=Was This Trip Necessary? | journal=Industrial and Organizational Psychology | pages=465–468 | last1 = Guion | first1 = Robert M.| year=2009 | issue=4 | s2cid=144241654 }}</ref>▼

==Reception==

Bugs hammers the fifth pitch on a line drive that bounces off each Gorilla with a ping sound as in a [[pinball]] game. The scoreboard then blinks a random series of numbers and the word "[[Pinball#Nudging|Tilt]]."

*According Animationto animation historian [[Michael Barrier (historian)|Michael Barrier]] points out that, there was a changenoticeable shift in formulathe inportrayal of Bugs Bunny's cartoonsadversaries before and followingafter World War II. BeforePrior to the war, his enemiesfoes were haplessoften boobsportrayed whichas hebumbling fools whom Bugs held in contemptdisdain. InHowever, thisin filmfilms and othersdirected by Freleng and others post-war, the enemiesantagonists arebecame actuallymore formidable and dangerousmenacing. ButThis thischange makesadded outwittingan themextra morelayer deliciousof satisfaction to Bugs' clever maneuvers and triumphs. In this''Baseball caseBugs'' specifically, the enemiesantagonists take the form areof the Gas-House Gorillas. "A whole team of interchangeable ... hulking, blue-jawed, cigar chewing monsters".<ref name="Barrier">Barrier (1999), p. 471</ref>▼

* Bugs launches a [[fastball]] from the pitcher's mound, accelerates past it, and moves in position at home plate to catch it. This is a demonstration of cartoon physics, since such [[acceleration]] would be impossible in real life.<ref name="Ripper">Ripper (2002), p. 4</ref>▼

Bugs returns to pitching, and one Gorilla lands a hit. Just before he can score a home run, Bugs, with one foot on the home plate, shoves him to the ground with baseball in hand, tagging him out. As the dazed, concussed Gorilla sits there with several small illusionary winged Gorilla players swirling around his head, Bugs munches a carrot and pulls out a sign reading "Was this trip really necessary?" (a reference to a slogan used in a fuel rationing campaign during World War II).<ref>{{cite journal |title=Ration Officers Get Instructions |journal=Spokane Daily Chronicle |date=1942-11-02 |page=5}}</ref>

==Home media==▼

The story jumps ahead to the final inning, announced by a radio-style jingle, with Bugs leading 96–95, both sides having each lost a run somewhere along the way, and with the Gorillas now the home team. Blanc's voice is now heard as the announcer as the radio booth has lost its original play-by-play man. With two outs in the last of the ninth, a Gorilla is on base and another, menacingly swinging a bat he has just fashioned from a huge tree, is ready for the pitch.

VHS:

* (1988) VHS - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs! (1988)▼

* (1999) VHS - ''Looney Tunes: The Collectors Edition'' Volume 9, ''A Looney Life'' (1999; 1995 USAU.S. Turner Dubbed Version)▼

LaserDisc:

Bugs proceeds with a tremendous wind-up, lets the pitch go, and the ball is rocketed out of the stadium. Startled, Bugs desperately gives chase. He grabs a cab and is almost led astray until he realizes a Gorilla is driving it; he jumps out and catches a bus which takes him to the "[[Empire State Building|Umpire State Building]]". He takes an elevator to the roof, climbs a flagpole, throws his glove in the air and manages to catch the ball. An umpire appears over the edge of the roof, and calls out the Gorilla player who has followed Bugs there. The [[Statue of Liberty]] comes to life to agree with the call, repeating, "That's what the man said–you heard what he said–he said that!". Bugs also joins her in repeating these words.

* (1988) LaserDisc - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs! and Elmer! (1988)▼

* (1992) LaserDisc - ''The Golden Age of Looney Tunes'', Volume 3, Side 7 (1992)▼

DVD:

The plot was reused in Gone Batty (1954), with some sequences being shot-for-shot quotes.

* (2003) DVD - ''[[Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1]]'', Disc One (2003)▼

* (2010) DVD - ''The Essential Bugs Bunny'', Disc 1 (2010)▼

* (2020) DVD - ''Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny Golden Carrot Collection'', Disc One (2020)▼

Blu-ray:

▲==Voice cast==

* (2012) Blu-ray - ''Looney Tunes Showcase: Volume 1'' (2012)▼

▲* [[Mel Blanc]] as [[Bugs Bunny]], Grandpa-Baseball, Gas-House Gorilla

* (2020) Blu-ray - ''Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection'', Disc 1 (2020)▼

▲* [[Frank Graham (voice actor)|Frank Graham]] as Commentator, Gas-House Gorilla<ref>{{cite book |last=Beck |first=Jerry |date=September 1, 2020 |title=The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes |publisher=Insight Editions |page=15 |isbn=978-1647221379}}</ref>

▲* [[Tedd Pierce]] as Announcer-Radio, Umpire

▲* [[Bea Benaderet]] as [[Statue of Liberty]]

DVD/Blu-ray:

▲==Billboards==

* (2011) Blu-ray, DVD - ''[[Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 1]]'', Disc 1 (2011)▼

▲* The outfield wall ad for "Mike Maltese, Ace Detective" refers to writer [[Michael Maltese]].

* The outfield wall ad for "Filboid Studge" refers to a fictional breakfast cereal mentioned in a [http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/FilStu.shtml short story] by [[Saki]].

▲* The ad next to "Filboid Studge" is for "Culvert Gin", a take-off on "Calvert Gin."

▲* The wall ads on the third base side are for "Manza Champagne", "Lausbub's Bread" and "Ross. Co. Finer Footwear for the Brats" named for animator [[Virgil Ross]].

▲* The ads on the left field wall are for Camuel's (a reference to Camel Cigarettes) and "Urbo."

▲* Another outfield reading "Daltol" refers to animator [[Cal Dalton]]. A product named "Chi-Chi" is on a sign to the left.

▲* The sign held by Bugs after the 2nd out stating "Was this trip really necessary?" refers to gas rationing during World War II.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1754-9434.2009.01174.x | volume=2 | title=Was This Trip Necessary? | journal=Industrial and Organizational Psychology | pages=465–468 | last1 = Guion | first1 = Robert M.| year=2009 | issue=4 | s2cid=144241654 }}</ref>

==Analysis==

▲* Animation historian [[Michael Barrier (historian)|Michael Barrier]] points out that there was a change in formula in Bugs' cartoons before and following World War II. Before his enemies were hapless boobs which he held in contempt. In this film and others by Freleng, the enemies are actually dangerous. But this makes outwitting them more delicious. In this case, the enemies are the Gas-House Gorillas. "A whole team of interchangeable ... hulking, blue-jawed, cigar chewing monsters".<ref name="Barrier">Barrier (1999), p. 471</ref>

▲* Bugs launches a [[fastball]] from the pitcher's mound, accelerates past it, and moves in position at home plate to catch it. This is a demonstration of cartoon physics, since such [[acceleration]] would be impossible in real life.<ref name="Ripper">Ripper (2002), p. 4</ref>

* The sequence where Bugs throws a pitch so slowly that three batters strike out swinging on the same pitch inspired the term "Bugs Bunny Change-Up" in baseball slang. The term refers to an especially effective off-speed pitch, especially one that is much slower than the pitcher's fastball. It is also known as an "[[Eephus pitch]]".<ref>[[Glossary of baseball (B)]]{{Circular reference|date=November 2017}}</ref>

▲==Home media==

▲* (1988) VHS - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs!

▲* (1988) LaserDisc - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs! and Elmer!

▲* (1992) LaserDisc - ''The Golden Age of Looney Tunes'', Volume 3, Side 7

▲* (1999) VHS - ''Looney Tunes: The Collectors Edition'' Volume 9, A Looney Life (1995 USA Turner Dubbed Version)

▲* (2003) DVD - ''[[Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1]]'', Disc One

▲* (2010) DVD - ''The Essential Bugs Bunny'', Disc 1

▲* (2011) Blu-ray, DVD - ''[[Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 1]]'', Disc 1

▲* (2012) Blu-ray - ''Looney Tunes Showcase: Volume 1''

▲* (2020) DVD - ''Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny Golden Carrot Collection'', Disc One

▲* (2020) Blu-ray - ''Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection'', Disc 1

==See also==

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{{wikiquote}}

* {{IMDb title|38333}}

* {{bcdb title|4304}}

* [http://ussmariner.com/2006/03/12/bugs-bunny-greatest-banned-player-ever/ A mock-serious and detailed review of the cartoon]

* [https://archive.org/download/ClassicRareAndCensoredCartoons/020246dvdBaseballBugsLt.mp4 ''Baseball Bugs'' on the Internet Archive]

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{{Bugs Bunny in animation}}

{{Friz Freleng}}

[[Category:1946 short films]]

[[Category:1946 animated films]]

[[Category:1940s animated short films]]▼

[[Category:1940s sports comedy films]]

[[Category:Looney Tunes shorts]]

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[[Category:1940s English-language films]]

[[Category:American comedy short films]]

▲[[Category:1940s animatedEnglish-language short films]]

[[Category:English-language sports comedy films]]