"We must capture a live earth creature, K-9, and take it back with us to Mars. Isn't that a nice assignment? Hmm?"
- Marvin the Martian, 'The Hasty Hare' (1952)
Just about everyone from my age group was raised on a diet of the Warner Brother's Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes cartoons. Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and The Roadrunner, Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn entertained and instructed us.
One of the most surprising things is that kids loved them so much. Not many people are aware that the cartoons started out life written for adults, not children. After all, how many 5 year olds in 1965 understood a joke about war bonds?
They were intended to be shown prior to Warner Brothers feature films, and the Looney Tunes shows were even required to have a song from the soundtrack of the movie they were preceding. (Merrie Melodies were not).
But what lessons did my generation learn from the rascally rabbit and his companions?
The charge has often been leveled that the cartoons were far too violent. Were the cartoons violent? Quite often, yes. Yet I would argue the point that, although violent, it was the character who initiated the violence who usually suffered.
And it was rarely a matter of Bugs being more violent than Elmer, or the Roadrunner having a bigger anvil on order from Acme. The way in which the protagonist would side step the danger, or the finesse with which he would fool his adversary, was often a wonder to behold.
"It's rabbit season!" declares Daffy as he nudges the gun barrel at Bugs.
"Duck season." replies Bugs, as he nudges the gun barrel back towards Daffy.
"Rabbit season!", proclaims Daffy, again pointing the rifle toward Bugs.
"Rabbit season.", advises Bugs as he moves the gun in a circle back towards himself.
"Duck season! FIRE!", exclaims Daffy as he moves the barrel back to himself, and "Blam!" Elmer shoots Daffy.
One of my personal favorites involves Bugs being chased by a large, hairy monster. The monster appears to be a large mass of hair shaped somewhat like a Valentine. At one point Bugs leaves the room and re-appears a second later with a manicurist's table. He then sits the monster down, does his nails, and starts to do his hair, using dynamite sticks as curlers.
You can guess the rest. Although a little more on the violent side than Bugs' usual repertoire, what's admirable is the way he can suck his victim into the fantasy that Bugs weaves with his voice and mannerisms.
And that was really why Bugs Bunny was so admired. He has an easy going nature, and simply defends himself as needed, using his enemies weaknesses to get them to defeat themselves. But push him too far, and "Of course you know, this means war!"
Any discussion of the Warner Brother's cartoons should include a nod to Mel Blanc, the voice of so many different characters. Every voice from Bugs Bunny to Elmer Fudd, from Foghorn Leghorn to Henery Hawk. A vocal genius who entertained many generations, and whose voice will live on to entertain many more.
In the end what did my generation learn from Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies?
1. Those who practice violence shall suffer the consequences. 2. Being flattened by a falling piano is not fatal.
3. Sticking your finger in a gun will cause it to explode in the face of the person holding the gun, but oddly enough will leave the finger totally undamaged.
4. Gravity only works if you look down.
5. When it's really cold your tears fall as ice cubes.
6. You can stop a plane from crashing into the ground 5 feet up if you put on the air brakes.
7. It doesn't matter what you look like, if you put on a blond wig and bright red lipstick all men will do whatever you say.
And of course, last but certainly not least:
"Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out alive."
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