| Bonanza Bunny | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert McKimson |
| Story by | Tedd Pierce |
| Produced by | John Burton, Sr. |
| Starring | Mel Blanc |
| Narrated by | Robert C. Bruce[1] |
| Music by | Milt Franklyn |
| Animation by | Tom Ray George Grandpre' Ted Bonnicksen Warren Batchelder |
| Layouts by | Robert Gribbroek[2] |
| Backgrounds by | William Butler[2] |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6:30 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Bonanza Bunny is a 1959Warner Bros.Merrie Melodies cartoon directed byRobert McKimson.[3] The short was released on September 5, 1959, and starsBugs Bunny.[4] In the cartoon, Bugs faces off with the French-Canadian claim jumperBlacque Jacque Shellacque during a fictionalized version of theKlondike Gold Rush.
In 1896,Bugs Bunny walks into aDawson Citysaloon with abag full of gold nuggets. Bugs has no use for them and claims he confused "karats" withcarrots. The men in the saloon look suspiciously at Bugs when he requests a glass ofcarrot juice, and the eager bartender compliments Bugs' stones, one of which Bugs uses to pay him. Bugs is almost shot by Blacque Jacque Shellacque—a villain wanted for "crimes" includingclaim-jumping, pogo-sticking and square dance calling.
Jacque demands Bugs hand over the gold. When Bugs refuses, Jacque engages Bugs in a game ofblackjack; Bugs stands on one card, which turns out to be the "21 of hearts". Having won the hand, Bugs recovers his gold and begins to leave, but is stopped by an enraged Jacque, who claims it is dangerous to cross him. Bugs convinces Jacque there is someone in another room who claims to be twice as dangerous. As Jacque confronts the stranger (Bugs in disguise), the stranger aims apop gun. Jacque pulls the cork and the gun blasts him in the face. Bugs then pretends to have a phone call for Jacque and says the caller is "Fifi from Montreal." The receiver is a lit stick of dynamite, and when Jacque attempts to answer the dynamite explodes. A dazed Jacque remarks that "Fifi was always a "blast"."
Jacque corners Bugs in a storeroom, holds a pistol to his head and demands the gold. Bugs pretends to cower and "surrenders" the gold. The bag is actuallygunpowder that begins to leak out as Jacque makes his getaway while shouting "I'm rich, I'm rich!90%bracket!" Bugs lights the gunpowder trail, which sets off a large and colorful explosion in the distance. Bugs remarks, "Gee, thoseNorthern Lights are pretty this time of year." He then reveals that his 'gold' was merely rocks painted yellow, and he departs on hishusky.
This short marks the first appearance of Blacque Jacque Shellacque.[citation needed] Gags fromBunker Hill Bunny (1950) andBugs Bunny Rides Again (1948) are re-used. Animation of the gamblers fleeing when Blacque Jacque Shellacque arrives at the saloon was first used inDrip-Along Daffy (1951).[citation needed] This was the final cartoon narrated by actorRobert C. Bruce before his retirement.
| Preceded by | Bugs Bunny Cartoons 1959 | Succeeded by |