Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Rabbit Transit" is an American animated short film from 1947, so this one has its 70th anniversary this year and it is of course from the Golden Age of Animation. But sadly, despite the efforts by legends like Freleng, Maltese, Pierce and Blanc of course, these 8 minutes never really gain as much steam as its protagonists. Maybe if you know a bit about old cartoons, then you have come across the hare vs. tortoise race battle on other occasions too as this is the third and final Warner Bros. cartoon on the subject, but other studios have picked up on this underdog story as well several times. But here the turtle really isn't the underdog because the only slow thing about it is his speaking. The technology hidden inside its shell lets him win the race easily, but again it is the underdog that triumphs eventually. This, however, is the only success for Bugs in here because for once he takes the role of Sam, Elmer etc. and the turtle takes the role that Bugs usually has. The tree painting scene is the best example. However, I did not enjoy the watch too much. I like this duel more the traditional way, without motors in shells and the comedy was also pretty mediocre I would say. The only outstanding thing is once again Mel Blanc's voice talent. It's okay they did not make a 4th film about these two. Number 3 gets a thumbs-down from me. Not recommended.

utgard14 Another Bugs Bunny variation on the "tortoise and hare" story. The third such one, I believe. Bugs is incensed to discover that the tortoise beat the hare in the classic fable. Cecil the turtle shows up and claims he can beat Bugs in a race, which leads to the inevitable cheating and dirty tricks from both parties. It's a fun short, although it really offers little that the previous versions of this didn't already cover. The animation is colorful and bright. The backgrounds are especially nice. The gags are funny and there are some amusing lines throughout. Mel Blanc is in rare form doing the voice for both Bugs and Cecil. It's good but not as memorable as the earlier two.

phantom_tollbooth Friz Freleng's 'Rabbit Transit' is the final installment in the Tortoise and Hare trilogy. Although it is not a patch on its predecessors (Tex Avery's essential 'Tortoise Beats Hare' and Bob Clampett's bananas classic 'Tortoise Wins By A Hare'), 'Rabbit Transit' benefits greatly from a very funny script by Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce, which is full of unexpected twists and turns. 'Rabbit Transit' deviates from the other two cartoons in the series in that Bugs doesn't seem to remember his past races against Cecil Turtle this time round which technically makes 'Rabbit Transit' more a remake than a sequel. The character of Cecil is also a little different in that he has been given a new sense of vulnerability. In Avery and Clampett's cartoons he was completely in control the whole time, exploiting Bugs' egotistical complacency with ease. In 'Rabbit Transit', Cecil himself has quite an ego and this makes him vulnerable to some reciprocal heckling from Bugs. While these differences aren't detrimental, they do disassociate 'Rabbit Transit' from its classic forerunners, as does the less attractive animation. Enjoyed without any comparisons, however, 'Rabbit Transit' is a hoot. The back-and-forth battle involving the jet-propelled shell throws up many inventive bits and even the one predictable gag in the cartoon (the old running-through-the-painted-scenery gag) leads to a brilliant sequence in which an out-of-body Bugs attempts to wake himself up. The ending puts a nice full stop on the trilogy as well, finally allowing Bugs to win the race in such a way that he also loses the battle. Despite being unworthy of the genius it attempts to emulate, 'Rabbit Transit' comes highly recommended as a solid piece of comedy.

ccthemovieman-1 The is the last of the three Bugs Bunny versus Cecil The Turtle road races, a takeoff on the famous fable of the Tortoise and The Hare.The writers go on the assumption apparently that few people are familiar with the first two of these Bugs Bunny-Cecil races because they begin the story with Bugs shocked by reading the famous Aesop Fable story about the tortoise beating the hare (even though he had done this twice before!)At the sauna bath, where the two are lounging, Bugs makes the bet again, this time telling Cecil, "Listen, snail, I'll give you the post position and spot you 100 yards and I'll run backwards with my hands tied behind my back." He exaggerates but Cecil takes the bet, because he has secret advantage.There are some very funny remarks, sight-gag jokes and asides-to-the-audience at the beginning of this race, which is to Grant's Tomb. The race itself is very strange, is all I can say. How these guys were in New York one minute, Chicago the next and Miami Beach is all quite a mystery. Only in the cartoons, I suppose.The "jet age" angle was entertaining, but the ending was a bit lame.