The Essential Bugs Bunny is a DVD set featuring cartoons focusing on Bugs Bunny. It was released on October 12, 2010.
Contents The contents are split over two discs. The first disc features 12 Bugs Bunny theatrical shorts which have all previously been released on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection sets, except for the restored version of A Wild Hare (which instead was previously released on the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection). Previous Golden Collections have had it unrestored as part of specials/documentaries in the bonus features. The second disc features TV specials, more recent shorts, a movie excerpt and a featurette.http://animatedviews.com/2010/the-essential-bugs-bunny/ Retrieved February 11, 2013.
Disc 1 #TitleCo-starsRelease dateDirectorSeries1Elmer's Candid CameraElmerChuck JonesMM2A Wild HareElmerTex AveryMM3The Old Grey HareElmerBob ClampettMM4Baseball BugsFriz FrelengLT5Hair-Raising HareGossamerChuck JonesMM6Haredevil HareMarvin, K-9Chuck JonesLT78 Ball BunnyPlayboy PenguinChuck JonesLT8Rabbit of SevilleElmerChuck JonesLT9Rabbit FireDaffy, ElmerChuck JonesLT10Show Biz BugsDaffyFriz FrelengLT11Knighty Knight BugsSamFriz FrelengLT12What's Opera, Doc?ElmerChuck JonesMM
Disc 2 TitleRelease dateDirectorTypePrevious DVD releaseMy Dream Is YoursFriz Frelengexcerpt from the movieLooney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1How Bugs Bunny Won the WestNovember 15, 1978James Davis/Hal GeerTV specialN/ABugs Bunny's Wild World of SportsFebruary 15, 1989Greg Ford/Terry LennonTV specialN/ACarrotblancaDouglas McCarthyshortCasablanca Two-Disc Special EditionHare and Loathing in Las Vegas2004Peter Shin/Bill KoppshortAustralian edition of Looney Tunes: Back in ActionAin't He a Stinker?2010documentary featuretteN/ABugs and Daffy's Carnival of the AnimalsChuck JonesTV specialLooney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 5Invasion of the Bunny Snatchers (unedited)Greg Ford/Terry LennonshortSpace Jam Two-Disc Special Edition (was edited, is uncut here)Bugs Bunny's Bustin' Out All OverChuck Jones/Phil MonroeTV specialLooney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 5
Reception In reviewing the set for The New York Times, Dan Barry praised the selection of shorts included on the first disc, though was more critical of the second disc, calling it a "wasted opportunity" as the inclusions were described as "later, lesser work" and wondering why those were chosen over classic shorts, such as Bugs and Thugs, and concluding that the Looney Tunes Golden Collection volumes provide a more complete repertoire for Bugs Bunny.
References