“She is a witch, and means to eat you for her supper.”
Directed by Charles M. Jones; Story by Michael Maltese; Animation by Lloyd Vaughan, Ken Harris, and Ben Washam; Layouts by Maurice Noble; Backgrounds by Philip DeGuard; Voice Characterization by Mel Blanc; Musical Direction by Carl W. Stalling. Released in 1954
Chuck Jones really enjoyed the Disney character, Witch Hazel (from the 1952 short “Trick or Treat”) and so he would create his own, and this was her first appearance. (Let’s be honest. His has way more personality)
Bugs is reading the story of Hansel and Gretel. Much to his surprise, he finds he’s part of the story and has just come to the part where the witch invites the kids into her gingerbread house. (It doesn’t look like gingerbread, but let’s be fair: it wouldn’t last long) The kids are your stereotypical German kids, and as such they have thick accents and hefty appetites. They accept her offer for more food and follow her inside. This looks like a job for the masked Avenger! (Iron man?) But since he’s not around, Bugs’ll have to do. Inside, the kids are chowing down and are oblivious to the fact they are sitting in a large pan. Hazel (who is not voice by June Foray in this short, but rather Bea Bennederret) is glancing over the various dishes she can make with the kids. (Urchin Pie is a great delicacy, speaking personally) Bugs arrives dressed as a truant officer and finds the kids. (He also realizes what a weird name Hansel is) He warns them of their impending fate. They waste no time believing him and hightail it out of there. (Personally, I’d stick around. This house is cool! Look at that decor! The window curtains are painted on, and there’s a picture of a boat labeled: witchcraft. Genius!) Bugs takes off his disguise as he accomplished his mission. But it might have been better to wait until he was outside as Hazel decides to have rabbit instead. She mounts her broom (that channels the spirit of Charlie Chaplin) but crashes. Good thing she is a witch. Magic works wonder! And she happens to have several sleeping potions on standby. (Did you know that worm sweat residue is one?) She cooks up a brew and fills up a carrot with it. (She has a jar of nice on the shelf. If she only wasn’t out of sugar and spice. She could make girls from scratch.) Bugs catching a whiff of food cooking comes in and delivers my favorite line he has ever said: “I get to lick the po-ot! I get to lick the po-ot!” Hysterical. Hazel shoos him out while she finishes. She then finishes. Bugs sits down to dine while she prepares a bed for him. (Bet you didn’t know that Rabbits sleep in piles of root vegetables) Upon learning the carrot he ate was poisoned, (no it wasn’t. Drugged maybe, but not poisoned) he falls asleep. Hazel goes to get some relish. (You can’t eat rabbit without relish. It’d be like eating urchin pie without gravy.) And then a handsome prince arrives. (Or at least what many girls consider handsome. I’m not gay so I’m not sure.) He awakes Bugs with a kiss. The rabbit is grateful, but points out he should be looking for Snow White. (The prince for the record also realizes what a weird name Hansel is) Hazel resumes the chase and Bugs appears to be trapped. Finding some magic powder that is to only be used in emergencies, he hurls it at her. She turns into a rabbit doe, and the hallway gets a romantic makeover. Bugs immediately falls head over heels for her. As they walk away, Bugs take note of our obviously skeptical faces. He knows it may be a little creepy, but aren’t all women witches inside? (Please note: The views expressed by Mister Bugs Bunny do not accurately reflect the opinions of the author of this blog. Only some women are truly witches and they are easily identified by cackling at things that are not funny. Like their idiot boyfriends. However one thing we all can agree on is this: Hansel is a weird name. Don’t name your sons Hansel unless you wish to have the whole world mock them.)
Personal Rating: 3