''Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears'' is a 1944 ''

Merrie Melodies ''Merrie Melodies'' is an American animated comedy short film series distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was part of the ''Looney Tunes'' franchise and featured many of the same characters. Originally running from August 2, 1931, to Septem ...

'' cartoon short directed by

Chuck Jones Charles Martin Jones (September 21, 1912 – February 22, 2002) was an American animator, painter, voice actor and filmmaker, best known for his work with Warner Bros. Cartoons on the ''Looney Tunes'' and ''Merrie Melodies'' series of shorts. He ...

and written by Tedd Pierce. The short was released on February 26, 1944, and features

Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny is a cartoon character created in the late 1930s at Warner Bros. Cartoons (originally Leon Schlesinger, Leon Schlesinger Productions) and Voice acting, voiced originally by Mel Blanc. Bugs is best known for his featured roles in the ' ...

. This short marks the first appearance of Jones' dysfunctional version of The Three Bears, and is a parody of the old fairy tale, '' Goldilocks and The Three Bears''.

Plot

Three Bears, afflicted by hunger pangs, devise a scheme to entice Goldilocks using carrot soup as bait due to their depleted porridge supply. Subsequently, they orchestrate a feigned departure, only to lurk within their domicile, anticipating Goldilocks's arrival. The savory aroma emanating from the simmering soup captivates Bugs Bunny, leading him into the Bears' abode, unwittingly assuming the role of the traditional trespasser in the ''Goldilocks and the Three Bears'' fable. Bugs partakes of the Bears' culinary offering, prompting their attempted assault thwarted by Bugs's near detection. Following a brief respite, Bugs reclines in Junior's bed, precipitating the Bears' enactment of the Goldilocks tale culminating in a futile pursuit as Bugs eludes capture. Mama Bear, stirred by Bugs's flattery, momentarily suspends aggression, succumbing to infatuation and pursuing amorous overtures. In his endeavor to evade Mama Bear's advances, Bugs traverses various chambers, encountering Mama Bear in progressively alluring guises, only to find himself ensnared in his own rabbit hole. Mama Bear, seizing the opportunity, indulges in affectionate exchanges with Bugs, culminating in a flurry of unseen embraces. Bugs emerges disheveled, bearing evidence of their encounter, and flees into the distance screaming, leaving Mama Bear adorned with crimson lipstick, basking in the afterglow of their liaison.

Cast

Mel Blanc Melvin Jerome Blanc (born Blank ; May 30, 1908 – July 10, 1989) was an American voice actor and radio personality whose career spanned over 60 years. During the Golden Age of Radio, he provided character voices and vocal sound effects for come ...

/ Papa Bear * Bea Benaderet as Mama Bear (uncredited) * Kent Rogers as Junior Bear (uncredited)

Production notes

provides the voices of Bugs and Papa Bear (for the latter using a raucous voice similar to Yosemite Sam only a little higher-pitched). Mama Bear is voiced by Bea Benaderet, while Kent Rogers voiced dim-witted Junior. The cartoon was released four months before Rogers' death in a crash during a training flight in

Pensacola, Florida Pensacola ( ) is a city in the Florida panhandle in the United States. It is the county seat and only incorporated city, city in Escambia County, Florida, Escambia County. The population was 54,312 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. ...

, while he was in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

; Stan Freberg would replace Rogers in future installments in the series.

Home media

*VHS - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs! *Laserdisc - ''Cartoon Moviestars'': Bugs! and Elmer! *VHS - ''Bugs Bunny Collection'': Bugs Bunny's Greatest Hits *Laserdisc - '' The Golden Age of Looney Tunes'': Vol. 3, Side 2: Bugs Bunny *DVD - '' Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1'', Disc Three *DVD - '' Looney Tunes: Spotlight Collection'', Disc One *Blu-ray - '' Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection'', Disc One

Sources

References

External links

* {{Chuck Jones 1944 films Merrie Melodies short films Warner Bros. Cartoons animated short films American parody films Fairy tale parody films Short films directed by Chuck Jones Animated films based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears Animated films about bears Animated films about rabbits and hares Films scored by Carl Stalling Films produced by Leon Schlesinger Bugs Bunny films 1940s Warner Bros. animated short films 1944 animated short films