Ep 13. Rabbit Fire

In "Rabbit Fire," the thirteenth episode of the 1951 season of Looney Tunes, audiences are treated to the classic battle between the wits of two of the cartoon world's most beloved characters, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. The episode opens in the woods, where hunter Elmer Fudd is searching for his prey. As he stumbles upon Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, who are both working together to collect acorns, Elmer becomes convinced that Daffy is actually a rabbit in disguise, despite Bugs Bunny's protestations to the contrary.

As Bugs tries to convince Elmer that Daffy is really a duck, Daffy repeatedly interjects, insisting that he is indeed a rabbit. The two characters engage in a rapid-fire exchange, with Daffy pointing out the rabbit-like attributes of his appearance and behavior, while Bugs explains that rabbits don't normally wear bills or feathers. Eventually, the argument comes to a head, and Bugs decides to turn the tables on Daffy by convincing Elmer to hunt him instead.

The rest of the episode follows a series of hijinks as Bugs and Daffy try to outsmart each other and manipulate Elmer into shooting the other character. Along the way, there are several funny gags and one-liners, while Bugs shows off his usual quick thinking and resourcefulness. Meanwhile, Daffy becomes increasingly frustrated with the situation and ends up getting more than a little banged up as he falls prey to various traps and schemes.

One of the things that makes "Rabbit Fire" such a classic in the Looney Tunes canon is the dialogue, which is fast, clever, and loaded with puns and wordplay. The exchange between Bugs and Daffy over whether Daffy is really a rabbit or a duck is a perfect example of this, as the characters trade off lines like:

Bugs: Daffy, I'm positively afraid to turn my back on you. You know, I've been in this game too long. It's getting so I don't trust anybody. Daffy: I don't blame you. If I was you, I wouldn't trust me. [winks at the camera] Bugs: You know, you're a little screwy yourself. You're gonna pay attention to what I say, or I'm gonna...[pauses, then turns around to reveal a sign around his neck that reads "Shoot Me"] Daffy: [chuckles] Shoot him now, shoot him now! Elmer: You keep outta this. He doesn't have to shoot you now. Daffy: He does so have to shoot me now! [turns to Bugs] I demand that you shoot me now!

These kinds of exchanges are a hallmark of Looney Tunes cartoons, and "Rabbit Fire" shows the writers at the top of their game.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Bugs Bunny cartoon without some physical comedy, and "Rabbit Fire" delivers in spades. Bugs manages to outsmart Daffy and Elmer repeatedly, setting traps and engaging in clever misdirection to throw them off his trail. Meanwhile, Daffy keeps getting more and more exasperated as he falls prey to Bugs' schemes. For example, at one point, Bugs convinces Daffy to sit in a hole in the ground and pretend to be a diving board, only to then jump on him repeatedly while Elmer looks on in disbelief.

One of the other things that makes "Rabbit Fire" stand out is the animation, which is incredibly fluid and well-done. Even by the high standards of Looney Tunes, the episode boasts some impressive visuals, with lots of attention paid to small details like the movement of Bugs' ears or the way Daffy flaps his wings. This attention to detail helps make the humor of the episode even more enjoyable, and adds an extra layer of richness to the viewing experience.

All in all, "Rabbit Fire" is a classic example of Looney Tunes at its best. It features great characters, clever writing, and fantastic animation, all coming together to create a hilarious and memorable episode. Whether you're a long-time fan of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, or are new to the world of Looney Tunes, "Rabbit Fire" is a must-watch episode that shows why these characters have remained so beloved over the years.