- My Bunny Lies over the Sea
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My Bunny Lies over the Sea Merrie Melodies/Bugs Bunny series
Title card for My Bunny Lies over the SeaDirected by Chuck Jones Produced by Eddie Selzer Story by Michael Maltese Voices by Mel Blanc Music by Carl Stalling Animation by Ken Harris
Phil Monroe
Ben Washam
Lloyd VaughanLayouts by Robert Gribbroek Backgrounds by Peter Alvarado Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
The Vitaphone CorporationRelease date(s) December 14, 1948 (United States) Color process Technicolor Running time 7 minutes 29 seconds Language English Preceded by A-Lad-In His Lamp Followed by Hare Do My Bunny Lies over the Sea, a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon, was released on December 14, 1948. This theatrical cartoon was directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. Mel Blanc played both Bugs Bunny and the Scotsman. Some of the animators included Ken Harris, Lloyd Vaughan, and Phil Monroe.
The title is an obvious play on the second line of the old song, "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean". The seven minute short has been released on DVD multiple times in different compilation discs, and as of 2003[update] is available on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1. And, though this cartoon was the Scotsman's (named Angus MacRory) only theatrical appearance, he also made his second major role in "It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World" episode (released on February 3, 1996) in The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries. The Scotsman can briefly be seen on a couple of Animaniacs episodes. He can also be seen in the 1996 hit film, Space Jam, watching the Tunesquad/Michael Jordan basketball game.
Plot synopsis
This cartoon begins as Bugs Bunny once again gets lost when he is tunneling to his vacation spot. He accidentally ends up in Scotland, instead of the La Brea Tar Pits. Upon his arrival, he accidentally mistakes a Scotsman dressed in traditional clothes and playing the bagpipes for a lady being attacked by a monster. Bugs Bunny jumps the Scotsman trying to rescue the "woman", and in the process he smashes the man’s bagpipes into little pieces. The Scotsman, named Angus MacRory, becomes enraged that his bagpipes have been absolutely ruined and the angered MacRory eventually chases Bugs with a blunderbuss. When Bugs dives back into his hole and comes back out disguised as an old Scotsman accusing MacRory of "poaching on my property!", MacRory challenges the disguised Bugs Bunny to a duel—a game of golf. Of course, throughout the game of golf Bugs Bunny manages to outsmart MacRory and eventually wins, much to the Scotsman's wrath. MacRory accepts defeat after Bugs clears himself of cheating, but still claims that he can't be beaten when it comes to playing bagpipes. After playing, he dares Bugs to 'try and top that,' which the rabbit does by dressing like a Scot and playing not only bagpipes, but also a trombone, saxophone, trumpet, two clarinets, cymbals on his feet, and a bass drum with his ears. Bugs takes one last glimpse at the audience before iris out.
Other Appearances
The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries: The Scotsman from the cartoon makes his second major role in the "It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World" episode. His full name, "Angus MacCrory" is revealed. He is revealed to be Granny's fourth cousin twice removed.
Animaniacs: In the Dot's Quiet Time segment, When Dot is in Scotland, having finally found a quiet place, the Scotsman walks by Dot playing his bagpipes, disturbing her. In the Hurray for Slappy segment, he can be spotted in the crowd at the end of the short.
Space Jam: The Scotsman from the cartoon can be spotted on the bleachers watching the basketball playoff between the Toon Squad and the Monstars.
Censorship
- The version of this cartoon shown on CBS in the 1970s/1980s cut the part after the Scotsman McCrory shoots his rifle at Bugs where the bullet falls, McCrory picks it up, and asides to the audience that, "It's been in the family for years".
Preceded by
A-Lad-In His LampBugs Bunny Cartoons
1948Succeeded by
Hare DoCategories:- Merrie Melodies shorts
- 1948 films
- Films directed by Chuck Jones
- Golf films
- Short films
- Animated films
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