Hair-raising Hare (Chuck Jones, 1946)
I love these intro cards. Often these are the best pieces of animation in the whole short. This one in particular, as the eyes and hands reach out of the darkness, it gives a glimpse of what's to come, while making it more dramatic and scarier than the short could allow itself to be.
I've got to agree with Ed on the matter of Jones' backgrounds. He puts alot of focus on them, keeping them interesting where a shallow background with some flat trees could've sufficed to set the scene for a seven minute short. As a matter of fact, more effort seems to have gone into the background animation than what they spent on the characters. Compareing Bugs' level of animation to what's behind him, he's the one who's of a lower quality. Now, I understand that he's supposed to move and act, which takes considerable time and money to animate (especially if you try to keep a high standard), so keeping his artstyle more simplistic is a matter of practicality and cost. I just thought about it while I watched it and thought I'd bring it up.
As for the humor, I've allways been more partial to the physical comedy rather than the verbal one. When Bugs realizes he's headed for a hole in the ground while being chased, he reacts by hitting the breakes and comes to a stop hanging over the holes. He then toe-walks backwards while praying. This is more fun for me than the following monster manicure. Same with the picture gags and the steampowered jousting rig. Both trumps the fourth wall-breaking verbal jokes in the middle and end.
Speaking of the end, the very finisher as Bugs for the third time tries to exit stage right and the robot rabbit shows up.
"Well, so it mechanical!" That one made me smirk.
Overall a strong beginning. Good nom, GBG!
P.S.
I did see the piggybank robbery too tonight, but it's getting late and I gotta get up in six hours, so that one'll have to wait until tomorrow.
D.S