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Warner Brothers Golden Jubilee 24 Karat Collection Salute to Mel Blanc [VHS]

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Everyone loves the Looney Tunes cast of characters, a distinguished group that includes the likes of Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, the Road Runner, Foghorn Leghorn, and others. But these characters would be far different from the personalities that we have all grown to know and love if it were not for one man: Mr. Mel Blanc. His voice characterizations brought the different Looney Tunes characters to life for millions of adoring fans. And this video tribute to Mel Blanc contains some of the best Looney Tunes cartoons.

A total of eight different cartoons comprise this video collection: "Robin Hood Daffy", "Bedevilled Rabbit", "Bad ol' Puddy Tat", "Ballot Box Bunny", "Past Perfumance", "Little Boy Boo", "Who's Kitten Who", and "The Rabbit of Seville". Among the cartoons in this collection, the standouts include "Rabbit of Seville", "Robin Hood Daffy", and "Little Boy Boo". "Rabbit of Seville" is a classic, starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in a take- off of the musical "Barber of Seville". In "Robin Hood Daffy", the viewer is entertained by Daffy Duck as Robin Hood, trying to convince Porky Pig that he really is Robin Hood as Porky rolls around on the ground nearly laughing himself to death. "Little Boy Boo" stars Foghorn Leghorn as the male chicken in search of a wife with a warm home, only to find that he must first prove himself worthy of being a father to her intelligent but very weird son. Watch as Foghorn Leghorn discovers that being single isn't really all that bad after all.

Some of the cartoons on this video are rarely seen, like "Ballot Box Bunny". This animated short stars Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny who take on each other in a political race for elected office. This cartoon has some funny moments, even though it isn't seen on Saturday morning very much. The other cartoons on the video are good, too, but they present mostly the same formula that we expect for these Looney Tunes characters: Pepe Le Pew trying to capture the heart of the female cat with a white stripe down her back; Sylvester trying to catch Tweety; the Tasmanian Devil trying to outsmart Bugs Bunny; and Sylvester doing battle with the "giant mouse", which is really a baby kangaroo.

There is no actual tribute or interview with Mel Blanc on this video tape. The only tribute is on the back of the box, where Entertainment Tonight's film critic Leonard Maltin composed a written tribute. The real tribute here is the cartoons themselves, which feature Mel Blanc's voice characterizations for all of the characters.

Mel Blanc died in 1989 at the age of 81. He is no longer with us, but he will always be remembered for bringing the Looney Tunes cast to life with his easily- recognized voice characterizations. This video tribute contains some very good Looney Tunes cartoons- timeless classics that adults and children alike can all enjoy.

There are no words that simply describe the greatness of the late Mel Blanc. Over a decade after his passing, his voice still is the staple behind many of the characters of MGM, Hanna Barbera and Warner Brothers cartoons.

A Salute To Mel Blanc was released in 1985, as part of Warner Brothers Golden Jubilee 24 Karat Collection. The cartoons stretch out all the kinks of any character like Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, or even Taz. Considering that some of these cartoons on the collection are very difficult to find in their original format, like Robin Hood Daffy, Rabbit Of Seville, and Little Boy Boo with Foghorn Leghorn.

Although Mel Blanc passed away in 1989, his voice is still the staple of Warner Brothers cartoons today. Many cartoons today might be a little zanier than the past, but there is no doubt about Mel Blanc, The Man Of 1,000 Voices. That's All Folks.

This is a brief grab-bag of Warner Brothers animations. Lots of favorite characters appear: Seminole Sam, Tweety and Sylvester, Pepe LePew, and the rest. All of them are well put together, but I have to admit that two are among my favorites.

One features Daffy as an inept Robin Hood, trying desperately to convince Porky (as Friar Tuck) that he's the real thing. "Yoicks and away!" It's become my rallying cry for returning boldly to the fray, whether there's any sane hope of success (or even dignity) at the end. Then, near the end of the tape, Bugs and Elmer face off in "The Rabbit of Seville." The Barber of Seville, will never be the same, but people who see this wonderful cartoon will never be the same either. As a kid, it helped me see the fun in classical music. As an adult, it reminds me to see the fun in classical music.

The VHS tapes are gradually being overtaken by DVD collections. The DVDs don't yet capture all of these cartoons, though, and the tapes are just as funny now as they ever were.

Enjoy!

//wiredweird

Full title is: WARNER BROS. CARTOONS GOLDEN JUBILEE 24 KARAT COLLECTION - A TRIBUTE TO MEL BLANC

Each cartoon features a different WB director, so it makes for an excellent sampling of styles & characters. The great titles included are "Robin Hood Daffy,"(Daffy & Porky) "Bedevilled Rabbit,"(Bugs & Tasmanian Devil) "Bad Ol' Puddy Tat,"(Tweety & Sylvester) "Ballot Box Bunny,"(Bugs w. Yosemite Sam) "Past Performance," "Little Boy Boo," "Who's Kitten Who," and "The Rabbit of Seville."(Bugs & Elmer) 58 minutes. Highly recommended!!!