utgard14
I always loved it when Looney Tunes parodied the old Warner Bros. gangster pictures. In this short, Bugs Bunny gets mixed up with a pair of bank robbers, diminutive Rocky and his dimwitted sidekick Mugsy. This short is similar in many ways (including a lifted gag involving an oven) to the classic Racketeer Rabbit. This one has a lot going for it on its own, though. The music is energetic, the colors are lovely, and the animation is creative and fun. The peerless Mel Blanc handles all of the voices so you know what kind of quality you'll get there. The pace is fast and the jokes are very funny. Bugs is as likable as ever and the two thugs are goofy caricatures you can't help but enjoy.
slymusic
Directed by Friz Freleng, "Bugs and Thugs" pits Bugs Bunny against mob leader Rocky and his bigger, dumber accomplice Mugsy. Bugs gets the better of them, of course.Highlights: Rocky tells Bugs to get out of the car and check the railroad tracks for any oncoming trains; after Bugs imitates Mugsy in replying "OK, boss," he signals for the crooks to drive through, but they of course get run over by a locomotive. When the police (phony and real) arrive at the gangsters' hideout, Bugs convinces Rocky and Mugsy to hide in the stove; to further prove that the crooks are not in the stove, Bugs turns on the gas and throws in a lighted match! While at a gas station, Bugs calls the police and tells them he's been kidnapped by the two bank robbers; they drive off with Bugs while he's still on the line, and the policeman on the other end gets pulled through and dragged behind the gangsters' car."Bugs and Thugs" can be found on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 Disc 4.
movieman_kev
Gangsters Rocky and Mugsy are first introduced in the short that has Bugs Bunny getting into the getaway car of the duo by accident when he mistakes it for a cab. The short is pretty funny, yet Bugs isn't really in the top of his form here. Still it's worth watching and contains a highly quotable line or two. The ending is a tad on the weak side however. It's still the best of the Rocky and Mugsy shorts (they were in two others I believe, but don't quote me on that). This animated short can be found on disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1.My Grade: B-
Shawn Watson
I was never too interested in the character of Rocky, he always seemed too one-dimensional and monotone. Of course this is intentional but I could never excited when a Rocky and Bugs cartoon came on. He was however great in Daffy's Golden Yeggs.This time around Bugs is taking it easy in the city as Rabbit Season (DUCK SEASON!) is kicking off in the country. He hails a taxi to go for a cruise but ends up in the backseat of Rocky's getaway car.Seconds later, Rocky has robbed a bank and is using Bugs as a hostage. Bugs a hostage? Puh-lease! He's got more wits and cunning in his baby finger than both Rocky and Mugsy together.Very clever hijinks follow with a very funny ending.
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