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Bugs Bunny: Fifty Years and Only One Grey Hare
An illustrated biography of America's favorite cartoon character, garnered from the archives of Warner Brothers Studios
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2010
A lot of people have read this book and no one has said anything while ratings range from 5 stars on down. I give it the full 5 because this is THE book that needed to be written on the iconic figure that Warner Bros. created and nutured for 50 years. The book is beautifully illustrated but the writing is both definitive in its coverage of individual appearances and details on the creation by the gang of cartoonists and story writers.
Adamson gets this right in so many ways, from discussing the evolution of charaters (such as Daffy Duck from hero to foil) to putting the cartoons in the context of contemporary society. And, when we are discussing U.S. history from the Great Depression through the Wars and later affluence, that is a big canvas.
Finally, there is detailed information of the pairing of Bugs with other characters and the author's own take on successful shorts. It can be read in short bursts but the temptation is to keep going.
Adamson gets this right in so many ways, from discussing the evolution of charaters (such as Daffy Duck from hero to foil) to putting the cartoons in the context of contemporary society. And, when we are discussing U.S. history from the Great Depression through the Wars and later affluence, that is a big canvas.
Finally, there is detailed information of the pairing of Bugs with other characters and the author's own take on successful shorts. It can be read in short bursts but the temptation is to keep going.
December 2, 2017
Another over-sized book that has been languishing in my bookcases at Mom's house in Arizona since I bought it a couple of years ago.
Dad would have loved this book. After the Roadrunner, Bugs was his favorite cartoon character. He used to watch the Saturday morning cartoons and enjoyed them as much as my brother and I did.
The book is divided into five sections, each telling about different phases of the history of Bugs Bunny: how he was created and who developed him into the classic character those of us of a certain age will always see as the only true Bugs Bunny.
Lots of great information here, but I confess to skimming through the fourth section that talked about other characters that Bugs encountered in his adventures. But I agreed with most of the selections in the fifth chapter "Bugs Bunny's Greatest Hits". I've seen the Bugs Bunny cartoons so many times over the years that a few outstanding color pictures and some paragraphs outlining the story brought them all to life in my head. I always loved the one where the Big Hairy Monster first shows up, and of course the Wagner opera cartoon is simply awesome!
Something I never knew about these films is that when Mel Blanc was doing the voices, he really did eat carrots when Bugs did. But "...carrots made his throat muscles tighten and the words couldn't come out..." so those scenes always had to be recorded at the end of the sessions.
This was a fun read, and I know I will go through it anytime I need a Bugs Bunny fix. Meanwhile, exit our hero stage right!
Dad would have loved this book. After the Roadrunner, Bugs was his favorite cartoon character. He used to watch the Saturday morning cartoons and enjoyed them as much as my brother and I did.
The book is divided into five sections, each telling about different phases of the history of Bugs Bunny: how he was created and who developed him into the classic character those of us of a certain age will always see as the only true Bugs Bunny.
Lots of great information here, but I confess to skimming through the fourth section that talked about other characters that Bugs encountered in his adventures. But I agreed with most of the selections in the fifth chapter "Bugs Bunny's Greatest Hits". I've seen the Bugs Bunny cartoons so many times over the years that a few outstanding color pictures and some paragraphs outlining the story brought them all to life in my head. I always loved the one where the Big Hairy Monster first shows up, and of course the Wagner opera cartoon is simply awesome!
Something I never knew about these films is that when Mel Blanc was doing the voices, he really did eat carrots when Bugs did. But "...carrots made his throat muscles tighten and the words couldn't come out..." so those scenes always had to be recorded at the end of the sessions.
This was a fun read, and I know I will go through it anytime I need a Bugs Bunny fix. Meanwhile, exit our hero stage right!
March 31, 2025
An awesome tribute to Bugs Bunny! Great history and analysis by the author (who's Walter Lantz and Tex Avery books are also awesome) and great pictures throughout! Also includes useful filmographies. Worth checking out if you know little about cartoons or are already an expert!
August 10, 2020
A great history of Bugs Bunny (my first role model) and a loot at the people involved with his creation and development. A very interesting read! It made me want to see those cartoons again!
February 21, 2021
A better book on Bugs you're unlikely to find, engrossingly detailing his origins, development, and partnerships with other Warners animated alumni. That it's so lavishly illustrated - with only a few duplicates from That's All Folks that I could see - is the icing on the cartoon cake. Being extremely picky, there is the odd misquoted bit of dialogue, and the prose does veer a little close to pretentious at times, especially in the Greatest Hits section detailing the author's favourite Bunny cartoons. Tiny blemishes, though, on a shining celebration of an animation icon now more than eighty years young, and still going strong.
March 15, 2017
A wonderful history and appreciation of a singular animation character who was not created so much as developed.
Adamson goes into the history of the character, the era he was created in, the influences, the talented team that developed him, and how an entire animation studio took their cue from him.
Brilliant illustrations, including such gems as early character studies that defined the look of the character.
Adamson goes into the history of the character, the era he was created in, the influences, the talented team that developed him, and how an entire animation studio took their cue from him.
Brilliant illustrations, including such gems as early character studies that defined the look of the character.
April 24, 2022
A near-scholarly analysis of a cartoon rabbit will seem unnecessary, but only to those who fail to understand Bugs' cultural ascendance. A thoughtful insight into the evolution and impact of the character, resplendent with wonderful concept and original art from the masters behind his creation.
July 11, 2015
A great and richly illustrated celebration of Bugs Bunny, including analyses of his character, recounts of his origins and development, and portraits of his most famous adversaries. Highlight, however, are Adamson's reviews of sixteen of Bugs Bunny's best films. With comprehensive filmography, bibliography and notes. 'Bugs Bunny: Fifty Years and Only One Grey Hare' is without doubt the best book on any classic cartoon character, and highly recommended to all classic cartoon lovers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews