Watch What's Up, Doc ? For Free

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

As Good As It Gets

A Disappointing Continuation

A different way of telling a story

. . . refers to the catcher's specialized defensive gear. In the Looney Tunes Universe, "Tools of Ignorance" invariably denotes firearms, from Yosemite Sam's pistols to Elmer Fudd's long guns. Mr. Fudd is depicted as a patronizing bully to Bugs Bunny as soon as the former makes an appearance in WHAT'S UP, DOC? But as a Wealthy One Per Center, normal folks such as Bugs have to Kow-Tow to Fudd's every perverse whim. However, sensing that he could lose his status as Top Dog in the Looney Tunes Animated Shorts Universe to the more talented Bugs, Elmer introduces a shooting iron on the WHAT'S UP, DOC? scene 5 minutes, 21 seconds into this story. As soon as Mr. Fudd resorts to such a False Security Blanket, Bugs has the upper hand. It's now Elmer who's second fiddling for the remainder of this tale, forced to wield his "tool of ignorance" as a perpetual reminder that careers that live by the gun, die by gun. Move over Jesse James, John Dillinger, and Wild Bill: make room for Elmer Fudd!

What's Up Doc has Bugs Bunny in Hollywood. Hard to fathom? Well, Bugs himself refers to this in the beginning, while he is conversing on the telephone with the press. He narrates his life story by saying how 'different' he was from others when he was born. Not only was he a bunny, but he was also a prodigy, playing the toddler piano like Mozart and then stepping it to Broadway. His 'meteoric' rise involves repetition of performances in various shows, which brings him fame and the moment he tries a one-act performance, his career takes a wrong turn. He becomes depressed and aloof till Elmer Fudd notices him and the two form an alliance.'What's Up Doc?' has some sparkling moments- the 'talk, it's your nickel' joke, the 'first I was born' opening, the desperate attempts made the other struggling actors when Elmer enters and the ironic ending. 'Singin' in the Rain' may have been inspired by this short- however the film is a masterpiece. This short's main problem is that it's a short, so it does not really justify its title to a great extent. It tries to cover too much in its short run length- which proves to be a double edged sword for WUD?.The animation however is quite superior, and the production is commendable. 'Duck Amuck's' animation is comparatively inferior, however the plot was apt for a short. A thirty minute film for What's up Doc? would do it more justice.I read a number of reviews that found the film to be boring and unfunny; I found the film to be a brave and somewhat visionary attempt considering the year it was made. And Bugs Bunny is just adorable. My Rating: 8/10

While the cartoon feels rather short and the story on the standard side, it is a interesting, memorable and handsomely mounted Bugs Bunny cartoon. Nothing here is remarkably funny, but there are some effective scenes like the scene in the park and the repeat of "What's Up Doc?" The cartoon also begins and ends in a very cute fashion, and throughout there is handsome animation, lovely vaudeville-like music and excellent voices from Mel Blanc and Arthur Q.Bryan as Bugs and Elmer who make a great double act if I must say so. Bugs is great here, he's been better, but I like his somewhat subdued side here, and Elmer is fine.Overall, memorable and interesting, not the best but a cartoon worth watching. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This is a bit different from most Bugs Bunny cartoons: the life story of Bugs, from when he knew he was "a bit different" (the rest of the babies were humans and he was a rabbit) to his beginnings in the world of show business.However, the latter doesn't pan out. Bugs is down on his luck and moping around on a park bench, when Elmer Fudd passes by and says, "Why are you hanging around with these guys? They'll never amount to anything." (They are Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Bing Crosby!) Elmer gets him a job back in the theater. The vaudeville show opens in Peoria (where else?). It travels on to Buffalo and then New York City, but Bugs is getting bugged. He's tired of being Elmer's foil and getting pies shoved in his face, etc. He reverses the act and finishes with "What's up, doc?" It's a smash! Offers come in from everywhere and the two head off to Hollywood and Warner Brothers. The rest is history.There are not a lot of laughs in here: very few, in fact, but it's fairly interesting. This is good for one viewing only, unless you're a big fan or a collector of BB cartoons, then it might be of historical significance.