Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk

From Looney Tunes Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk
Production company Leon Schlesinger Productions
Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures
The Vitaphone Corporation
Release date June 12, 1943
Starring Mel Blanc
Narrated by Mel Blanc
Producer(s) Leon Schlesinger
Music composed by Carl W. Stalling
Story by Michael Maltese
Animation Jack Bradbury
Director(s) I. Freleng
Series navigation
Previous Next
Title card
Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk Title Card.png

Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk is the two hundred and twenty-third Merrie Melodies theatrical short. It was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and The Vitaphone Corporation on June 12, 1943. It was written by Michael Maltese, produced by Leon Schlesinger, and directed by Friz Freleng.

While chopping away in a giant's victory garden, Bugs must elude and escape from a foolish giant himself.

Detailed summary

Memorable quotes

Bugs: Eh, what's up, Doc?
Giant: Uhh, caught ya choppin' up muh victory garden, huh? Well, don't try nothin' funny, 'cause I got ya covered!


Bugs: So long, joiky! Send me a postcard from Alburqoique!


Giant: Hey, wait a minute. They're tryin' to pull a fast one on me, eh? Duh, well, he can't outsmart me because I'm a moron!


Giant: Duh, look out for dat foist step. It's a loo-loo!

Characters

Legend
Character debut Speaking debut Ep. debut No lines Mentioned

In order of appearance:

Character Actor
Narrator (voice only) Mel Blanc
Bugs Bunny Mel Blanc
Giant Mel Blanc


Locations

Objects

  • Giant carrots
  • Glass cutter

Production

Development

Filming

Music

The music was composed by Carl W. Stalling.

Release

Dates are in order of release:

  • United States: June 12, 1943

Behind the scenes

  • The title and plot are a spoof of the "Jack and the Beanstalk" fairy tale; the words, "jack-rabbit," are written in the title like how Elmer Fudd pronounces it.
  • During the opening credit sequence, a staked sign identifies the garden vegetable as: "Marvel Brand (Inc.) Early Climber Beans, Julian & Co. Packers. Julian." This is a reference to background artist Paul Julian.
  • The short contains several allusions to World War II:[1]
    • Part of the plot, involving Bugs interrogating the giant's garden, is a topical reference to victory gardens that were made to support the war effort.
    • The giant in this short is an allegory to Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers, due to his arrogant demeanor, whereas Bugs Bunny embodies a "Scientia potentia est" aphorism.
  • This is one of the first instance in which Bugs takes off his gloves, although he only does so with one hand. This is also the first time he appears without gloves (not counting his prototype appearances in Porky's Hare Hunt and Prest-O Change-O).
  • It is the first cartoon in which Bugs mentions Albuquerque.

Errors

  • The giant is mostly drawn with four fingers, but during the part where he catches Bugs in his palm, he suddenly has five fingers.
  • In the scene where Bugs and the giant ride an elevator, the giant is suddenly much smaller.

Legacy

Critical reception

In other languages

Language Name Meaning

Home availability

References

  1. Hartley, Stephen (July 16, 2016). "405. Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk (1943)". Likely Looney, Mostly Merrie.