During World War 2, Bugs Bunny was at the height of his popularity. Many historians have stated that they think this is hugely because of two reasons. One of them is that Bugs reflects how America viewed itself at this time. As a nation that didn't want war, but when you messed with it you'd better watch out. This outlook did of course reflect the country during this time as America did not want to enter World War 2, until Pearl Harbor happened. The other reason is that these were not sweet, cute little cartoons and the world was not sweet and cute at the time. I think it is safe to say that another reason was that Bugs Bunny cartoons were very good. Because of this it seemed natural that Bugs would become a symbol of the U.S.A., therefore he was a great candidate to promote war bonds.
Any Bonds Today was not released as a Looney Tunes or a Merrie Melodies short but rather as a stand alone short. The film was directed by Bob Clampett, who directed many fantastic Looney Tunes cartoons and created Tweety and Beaky Buzzard. The song that is sung in this cartoon was written by Irving Berlin, of God Bless America and White Christmas fame. I do not know who all the animators on this film are but the dancing scene was animated by Virgil Ross, and Bugs throwing out war bonds and doing his Al Jolson impression were animated by Robert McKimson.
This short doesn't really have much of a story. Bugs Bunny comes out and starts singing the title song. He is later joined by Porky Pig and Elmer Fudd. Bugs then dons blackface and does an imitation of Al Jolson.
This cartoon is excellent. The animation is great, the song is very catchy and the whole film just has a great energy.
One may notice that Elmer Fudd is designed quite different in this film. That is because during this brief period he was designed to look like Arthur Q. Brain, who provided his voice. He appeared in this design in four other cartoons, Wabbit Trouble, The Wabbit Who Came to Supper, Fresh Hare and The Wacky Wabbit, this design did not catch on the way the creative team thought it would and the character went back to looking how he did before.
After this cartoon the studio would receive a complimentary letter from Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau. Later this same year Bugs would be made an honorary Sargent in the U.S. Marine Corps, for the ending in a cartoon called Super Rabbit.
Happy Fourth of July and Bye Bye and Buy Bonds.
-Michael J. Ruhland
Recourses Used
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