Looney Tunes: "Ballot Box Bunny"

Premiered October 6, 1951

"As I stand on this platform, I stand for union - Union suits and Union stations! For the little people. There's enough fresh air and sunshine in this great country of ours for everybody, and I'll see to it that you'll get your share!"

Yosemite Sam (Mel Blanc) is running for Mayor.  He promises he will rid the country of all rabbits, if elected.

Bugs is disgusted by Sam's rabbit elimination platform

Bugs Bunny (Mel Blanc again) overhears this from underneath Sam's stage and cannot let it go unchallenged. He decides to fight fire with fire and take on Sam in the mayoral election.  "This calls for stragety!"

Bugs Bunny "drums up" support for his campaign

Bugs begins his campaign to win the votes of the townspeople by becoming a one-rabbit band.

He then makes his own stump speech. 
"From the rock-bound coasts of Maine to the smoggy shores of Cal-ee-forn-eye-ay.  Dat is a long walk!"

Bugs speechifying in a Teddy Roosevelt costume

Bugs adds some theatrics to his stump speech by channeling Teddy Roosevelt and assuring the voters that he'll "speak softly but carry a big stick."

Naturally, Sam interrupts saying he'll speak LOUDLY and carry a BIGGER stick.

Sam finds a baby to kiss in old-school politician fashion

 And he LOOOOVES babies ... he just doesn't count on Bugs dressing up as one and accusing him of biting his "wittle nose" when he tries to kiss "baby" Bugs.

Bugs - disguised as a baby - plants a smacker on Sam

The ladies of the town do not react well.

The crazy campaigning continues with Sam trying to play dirty tricks on each of Bugs' maneuvers. 

Bugs offers grub in hopes of grassroots support

He sends ants to ruin Bugs' grassroots picnic.

"Assorted Picnic Ants" - another ACME Co. specialty?

Bugs retaliates by putting a stick of dynamite in a watermelon for the ants to take to Sam.

Sam also takes over Bugs' cigar distribution table, but Bugs manages to work this to his advantage by swapping out the regular see-gars for some of the exploding variety. 

"A wise guy, eh?"

Things become increasingly chaotic with chase scenes:

And even more explosive action!

To see who wins this election,  check out this cartoon on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 DVD set.

RigbyMel says:

This is classic Warner Brothers hilarity at its finest.   It takes the lunacy of regular political campaigning and pushes it to humorous extreme.  (I an betting there are a few politicians out there who really might like to deliver a stick of dynamite to a political enemy via watermelon, if they could get away with it.)    The gags in this animated short come thick and fast -- so much so that repeat viewing is recommended.

This cartoon provides some nice levity for election season viewing.

RigbyMel's rating:
4 Ballot Boxes

 J.A. Morris says:
A great cartoon, an example of director Isadore "Friz" Freleng at his best.  Yosemite Sam (created by Freleng) was the best adversary Bugs ever faced (meaner and smarter than Elmer Fudd).  Having these two compete in an election was a stroke of genius. 

When I was a kid, this short often aired on Saturday mornings during the Bugs Bunny Road Runner Show.  But the ending was censored, if you watch it on DVD, you'll understand why.

If you're looking for relief from all the negative ads that have aired during this election season, Ballot Box Bunny is the perfect antidote. 

J.A. Morris' rating:
4 Ballot Boxes