I got a neat book in the mail. Looney Tunes fans everywhere need a copy of it. Not only does it have tons of information about the Looney Tunes characters and creators, it even has a really cute cover. This handy, dandy, super, duper, Looney Tunes tome is called Warner Bros. Animation Art , the Characters, the Creators, the Limited Editions by Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald. Since 99% of my visitors are Bugs Bunny fans I'll start with Bugs. In 57 years Bugs can do a lot so I'll have to add to this page as I can. If you like what I've started, check back. I will be adding to this every day until it is as complete as I can make it.

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Bugs Bunny

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Bugs' first appearance was in a cartoon by Tex Avery. This was way back in 1940 and the title of the cartoon was A Wild Hare. There is a theory out there that Bugs' name was taken from the nickname of Ben "Bugs" Hardaway. I don't know if this had anything to do with Ben Hardaway or not but "bugs" was also a slang term at that time that meant "slightly nuts." Hmm, wonder where Daffy got his name then.

Robert McKimson and Ruth Clampett are the ones who changed and refined the way Bugs looks. Bugs started out an oval-faced rabbit in A Wild Hare. Over time Bugs was given a softer muzzle, longer teeth and more expression. However, Chuck Jones's influence is obvious in the drawing style of Bugs Bunny and contributes heavily in making Bugs Bunny come out looking like the hero and everybody else coming across as the foe.

By World War II Bugs Bunny had become the most popular animated character around and he was just what America needed at a time of war. His gregarious personality and ability to always come out on top of the situation encouraged Americans of the day. After Bugs Bunny became popular Warner Bros. came out with a whole new line of co-stars including Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam and, later, the Tazmanian Devil continuing the hunt and chase theme through the various characters.

Here's a time line of the 40's :

July 27, 1940- A Wild Hare

March 15, 1941- Tortoise Beats Hare - stars Cecil Turtle and Bugs Bunny

Tex Avery leaves the studio because of a dispute over The Heckling Hare, which featured history's longest fall. Bugs Bunny and Willoughby the dog starred in this one.

Bob Clampett takes over Tex Avery's spot.

March 14, 1942-Crazy Cruise briefly shows Bugs Bunny. Begun by Tex Avery and finished by Bob Clampett.

July 11, 1942- Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid - Stars Bugs Bunny and Beaky Buzzard.

1943-Robert McKimson under the direction of Rob Clampett redefines Bugs' look into the familiar character we see today.

September 18, 1943- A Corny Concerto - Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, and a family of swans are featured in a parody of Disney's Fantasia.

January 1, 1944- Little Red Riding Rabbit

Leon Schlesinger sells his interest in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies to Warner Bros. Jack Warner appoints Edward Selzer in charge of the animation department.

Februaury 26, 1944- Bugs and the Three Bears - starring Bugs Bunny and the three bears.

August 26, 1944- Buckaroo Bugs

January 13, 1945- Herr Meets Hare - This is a war time cartoon in which Bugs takes on a Nazi officer, probably inspired by Herman Goering.

May 5, 1945- Hare Trigger - Stars Yosemite Sam. The title suggests Bugs is in this cartoon. If some one can verify that I'd appreciate it.

Frank Tashlin leaves Warner Bors. and his animation is taken over by Robert McKimson.

1946- Bob Clampett leaves Warner Bros. and his animation is taken over by Arthur Davis.

November 9, 1946- Rhapsody Rabbit- This is one of my Favorite Bugs Bunny cartoons. Bugs is a concert pianist trying to deliver a recital but a mischievious mouse steals the show.

January 25, 1947- The Goofy Gophers- Two gophers Mac and Tosh try to outsmart a guard dog and get to the vegetable garden. Bugs apears briefly.

March 22, 1947- A Hare Grows in Manhattan

November 1, 1947- Slick Hare- Bugs and Elmer co-star with caricatures of great film stars.

January 3, 1948- Gorilla My Dreams- Gruesome Gorilla debuts as Bugs's unwilling father after Mrs. Gorilla adopts him.

April 10, 1948- Rabbit Punch- Bugs mocks the champ but ends up in the ring to fight.

May 8, 1948- Buccaneer Bunny- Bugs Bunny meets up with Sam the pirate.

July 24, 1948- Haredevil Hare- Bugs meats up with Marvin the Martian and his dreaded Illudium Pew 36 Space Modulator.

December 24- Rabbit Hood- Bugs outsmarts the Sheriff of Nottingham.

December 25, 1948- Leon Schlesigner dies.

The 1950's brought forth a string of classics. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck's personalities were refined further. Bugs and Daffy became more competitive this being apparent in the cartoon Show Biz Bugs.

A time line of the 50's:

December 16, 1950- Rabbit of Seville- Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd star in this parody of Rossini's famous II Barbiere Di Siviglia.

March 10, 1951- Bunny Hugged- Bugs is the mascot of "Ravishing Ronald", a wrestler. The Crusher quickly dispatches Ravishing Ronald and Bugs finds himself in the ring.

May 19, 1951- Rabbit Fire- The first in a trilogy in which Bugs and Daffy argue over whether it is rabbit season or duck season. Fortunately, it turns out to be Elmer season.

Dwindling budgets and the influence of United Productions of America's style change the look of Warner Bros. cartoons. A dramatically stylized background, a trademark of UPA, makes the scene.

January 19, 1952- Operation: Rabbit- This is the first cartoon in which Bugs matches wits with super genius, Wile E. Coyote.

September 20, 1952- Rabbit Seasoning- The second of the Rabbit Season/ Duck Season trilogy.

November 15, 1952- Rabbit's Kin- here is another title that suggests Bugs is in it. This one introduces us to Pete Puma.

October 3, 1953- Duck! Rabbit, Duck!- this is the third in the Rabbit Season/Duck Season trilogy. This time it's baseball season, sending Elmer on a hunt for baseballs.

March 13, 1954-Bugs and Thugs- Mugsy, a 1930's style gangster kidnaps Bugs.

June 19, 1954- Devil May Hare- The first appearance of the Tazmanian Devil.

July 24, 1954- Bewitched Bunny- Bugs Bunny meets up with Witch Hazel.

December 18, 1954- Baby Buggy Bunny- Bugs meets up with Baby Faced Finster, a bank robber.

1955- Warner animation moves from Hollywood to new studios in Burbank.

1956- Warner Bros. sells all pre-1948 color cartoons to Associated Artists Productions for TV sydication allowing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck to entertain millions of American children.

July 6, 1957- What's Opera Doc?- Wagner's Ring condensed into a seven minute cartoon. This cartoon was inducted by congress into the National Film Registry- an honor bestowed on only a few cartoons.

1958- Edward Selzer retires as exectuive producer and is replaced by John Burton.

August 23, 1958- Knighty Knight Bugs- Bugs rescues the singing sword from the Black Knight (Yosemite Sam). This cartoon earned Bugs his first Oscar ( and Friz Freleng his fourth).

January 10, 1959- Baton Bunny- Bugs leads an orchestra in Franz von Suppe's Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna and plays the roles of cowboys, indians and cavalry. Quite a fete!

1959- Arthur Q. Bryan, the voice of Elmer Fudd, dies.

October 1, 1960- The Bugs Bunny Show began on ABC. It quickly got moved to a Saturday morning air time and became one of the most popular and long-running cartoons in history.

Film attendance drops because of the popularity of TV.

1964- Friz Freleng and David DePatie lease Warners' cartoon plant and establish DePatie-Freleng Enterprises Inc.

The success of DePatie-Freleng attracts the attention of Jack Warner and he re-opens the studio on the Warner Bros. lot.

1969- The studio is temporarily closed.

1975- Interest in old cartoons grows.

1975- A documentary called "The Boys from Termite Terrace" is shown on CBS reawakening interest in the Warner Bros. cartoons.

1975- Bugs Bunny Superstar- a feature film is realeased in theaters. The film features a selection of pre-1948 cartoons and old movies of the studio.

1976-1979- Warner Bros. makes more than 20 half-hour specials for broadcast during prime-time.

September 29, 1979- The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie

1980- Friz Freleng is named the executive producer at Warner Bros.

November 20, 1981- Friz Freleng's Looney Looney looney Bugs Bunny Movie

November 19, 1982- Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales

December 21, 1985- Bugs Bunny recieves a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

1987- Bugs Buny presents the Oscar for Best Animated Short Subject at the 1987 Academy awards.

1989- Mel Blanc dies. Mel Blanc did most of the voices for Warner Bros. cartoons for more than 50 years.

November 2, 1990- Box Office Bunny is released in a year long celebration of Bugs Bunny's 50th birthday.

August 25, 1995- Carrotblanca- starring a host of Warner Bors. characters. This is a spoof of Casablanca.

November 15, 1996- Space Jam- a full length movie starring all the main characters from Looney Tunes along with Michael Jordan.