Greetings, Boils & Ghouls...
... and welcome to 'Day Twelve' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" where I aim to bring you another creepy cartoon classic from the plethora of spooky animated short films that have been released throughout the course of animation history - any of which can be streamed on TV via the magic of Roku media players - so let's dim those lights, for some more fun & frights! :-O
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published twelve days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my post from 'Day Eleven' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall that it featured a witch by the name of "Witch Hazel", involved in a tale that was set on Hallowe'en, who found herself in the midst of a "Trick or Treat" caper that required the use of a little magic to get by. Oddly enough, today's spooky short is also set on Hallowe'en and features a "Trick Or Treat" plotline that involves a character by the name of "Witch Hazel" but, instead of mixing potions to deal with a "quacking rogue" of a duck, this one has to contend with a rabbit who is dressed-up as a witch! :-O
Released on 25th February, and directed by "Chuck" Jones [aka Charles M. Jones] this vintage 'Looney Tunes' cartoon featured the voice characterisations of Mel Blanc, along with the musical direction of Milt Franklyn, and was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. prior to it's initial release in 1956... although the 'MCMLV' copyright date suggests it was completed in 1955, the year before:
The story (written by Tedd Pierce) begins with confirmation that it is set on 31st October, which has been marked on a calendar as "Halloween" and double-underlined so as to stress the importance of that date for the occupant of the house. This, we assume, must be 'Witch Hazel'... if the (admittedly) brief glimpse of the mailbox outside the house (during the opening credits) and the slightly longer look at a certificate from the "Malevolent Order of Witches" bearing her name are anything to go by...
When we get to see 'Witch Hazel' in person, she is busy at her cauldron - no doubt concocting some kind of strange brew - and singing-away to herself as she goes about her business. Listen closely to the lyrics and you will hear some of the "ingredients" that are (presumably) going into that hot pot:-
Not forgetting, of course, "for little folks, some poisoned oak" will no doubt have the desired effect! Having gathered the necessary ingredient, from her witch's larder of 'Toad Whortle', plus 'Wolf Bane', and such like... 'Witch Hazel' returns to her cauldron but, on the way back, she stops to enquire of the magic mirror on the wall as to "who is the ugliest one of all?" - no prizes for guessing that answer! ;-)
This particular sequence reminds me a bit of "Snow White"... and it wouldn't surprise me to learn how this spooky short might well have parodied that particular Disney classic for this aspect of the story - either way, it's quite cleverly done... and the "Magic Mirror" does not disappoint her! :-D
This news pleases 'Witch Hazel' no end, as she's afraid of getting pretty as she grows older... in fact, the very thought of being "pretty" tickles her pink, and she creases-up in a fit of laughter. Meanwhile we see a shadowy figure walking the path outside, who we soon discover to be that of 'Bugs Bunny' dressed-up to "Trick Or Treat" in a witch's mask, plus costume, and carrying his "candy bag" in front of him as he goes. Having stopped beside a mailbox belonging to 'Witch Hazel', he pauses to reflect on things and says: "Boy, this trick-or-treatin' is a pretty nice racket. Pity it only comes once a year!"
Needless to say, just as 'Witch Hazel' is wishing she had some "guests" to finish-up her "goop", there is a knock at the door... and when she answers, it's 'Bugs Bunny' with his mask back on, enquiring of her: "Evening, Granny... do you have any goodies for a Hallowe'en witch?" and so the story goes on. However, rather than reveal any more of the plot at this stage, why not watch it for yourselves? ;-) :-)
Unlike the previous videos that I've shared (thus far) in this series of posts, "Broom-Stick Bunny" did not seem to be available via 'YouTube' or 'Vimeo' and, as a result, the version I am sharing with you today is hosted on the 'Dailymotion' website. Of course, in addition to watching the embedded video of this cartoon right here on my blog, you can also choose to stream it on your phone or tablet by using the 'Dailymotion' app(s) for both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms on your mobile devices. For those who prefer to watch on their big screen television, there is also a private channel for 'Daily Motion' which is available using the "Add channel with a code" option, that can be found in the 'Manage Account' section of the Roku website. Just use ACCESS CODE: dailymotion to install it
DAILY MOTION PRIVATE CHANNEL..........................................ACCESS CODE: dailymotion
*** N.B. this channel can not be found within the built-in channel store on Roku devices !! ***
HINT: If you are uncertain as to how you go about installing a private channel on your Roku device, you will find full instructions in my "SPECIAL MONTH-LONG BLOGATHON PREVIEW" post as to what needs to be done. For those who may be worried about things being too "tech-y", there's not really much to it... and, once you have signed-in to your Roku account via a desktop web browser, it is quite a simple procedure to type in the (above) access code and have the app automatically added to the selection of channels found under the 'Home' screen of your Roku device(s). Should you have any difficulty, and are unable to finish the process with the instructions from my blogathon preview, just leave a comment below - saying what stage of the process you are stuck on - and I'll do my best to offer some further suggestions as to where you may be going wrong. If you're unable to install the 'Daily Motion' private channel, for whatever reason, you can always just watch the cartoon here! :-D
EXTRA TIP: The built-in 'Search' function within the private channel for 'Daily Motion' is a fairly basic affair and does not permit you to search easily by 'Username' - in this case: "bugs-bunny1", also known as "Bugs Bunny" - or the unique identifier (which is "x2oqe1k" for the video above) - so your best hope of finding "Broom-Stick Bunny" within the 'Daily Motion' private channel on your Roku device is to use the exact title provided by the uploader... so, in this case, you would need to type in all (or part) of the following text: "Bugs Bunny - Broom-Stick Bunny" which is shown (in full) across the middle of the embedded video included in this post. Experience has taught me that not all the video titles will be included within the 'Daily Motion' search results so, if you adopt the same method when searching for another video from their website, your chosen title may not show-up at all. That said, having personally tested this one myself, I can confirm that you will see it listed and that you should be able to stream it on Roku device(s) in it's entirety, without issues! :-)
On whichever platform you decide to watch this video, be sure to watch-out for the scene in which the curious 'Witch Hazel' is super keen to learn thebeauty ugliness regimen of her guest and even goes so far as to say: "I warn you, dearie... I'm going to worm all your ugly secrets out of you!" then continues with the classic line: "Tell me. Who undoes your hair?", and so it goes on. In addition to the great exchanges of dialogue, there are some terrific sight gags as well as a few puns thrown-in just for good measure... with the afore-mentioned credentials from the "Malevolent Order of Witches" being a prime example of the many excellent touches added to this cartoon, aside from the animation itself. Surely one of the crowning glories has to be the vocal performance of June Foray who, if you recall, also provided her vocal talents for the other 'Witch Hazel' character in "Trick Or Treat" (1952) which I posted about yesterday. According to her audio commentary on the DVD box set, June Foray was not only the voice for 'Witch Hazel', but also the "model" for the "beautified" witch we see flying-off on her broomstick, chased by the genie from the mirror at the end of this creepy classic!
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published twelve days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my post from 'Day Eleven' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall that it featured a witch by the name of "Witch Hazel", involved in a tale that was set on Hallowe'en, who found herself in the midst of a "Trick or Treat" caper that required the use of a little magic to get by. Oddly enough, today's spooky short is also set on Hallowe'en and features a "Trick Or Treat" plotline that involves a character by the name of "Witch Hazel" but, instead of mixing potions to deal with a "quacking rogue" of a duck, this one has to contend with a rabbit who is dressed-up as a witch! :-O
Released on 25th February, and directed by "Chuck" Jones [aka Charles M. Jones] this vintage 'Looney Tunes' cartoon featured the voice characterisations of Mel Blanc, along with the musical direction of Milt Franklyn, and was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. prior to it's initial release in 1956... although the 'MCMLV' copyright date suggests it was completed in 1955, the year before:
The story (written by Tedd Pierce) begins with confirmation that it is set on 31st October, which has been marked on a calendar as "Halloween" and double-underlined so as to stress the importance of that date for the occupant of the house. This, we assume, must be 'Witch Hazel'... if the (admittedly) brief glimpse of the mailbox outside the house (during the opening credits) and the slightly longer look at a certificate from the "Malevolent Order of Witches" bearing her name are anything to go by...
When we get to see 'Witch Hazel' in person, she is busy at her cauldron - no doubt concocting some kind of strange brew - and singing-away to herself as she goes about her business. Listen closely to the lyrics and you will hear some of the "ingredients" that are (presumably) going into that hot pot:-
“A cup of arsenic, a spider, some glue…a lizard's gizzard, an eel's ear or two”
Not forgetting, of course, "for little folks, some poisoned oak" will no doubt have the desired effect! Having gathered the necessary ingredient, from her witch's larder of 'Toad Whortle', plus 'Wolf Bane', and such like... 'Witch Hazel' returns to her cauldron but, on the way back, she stops to enquire of the magic mirror on the wall as to "who is the ugliest one of all?" - no prizes for guessing that answer! ;-)
"For Little Folks, Some Poisoned Oak"... Or "Poison Ivy", If That's All You Have!
"Magic Mirror On The Wall... Who Is The Ugliest One Of All?"
This particular sequence reminds me a bit of "Snow White"... and it wouldn't surprise me to learn how this spooky short might well have parodied that particular Disney classic for this aspect of the story - either way, it's quite cleverly done... and the "Magic Mirror" does not disappoint her! :-D
"By my troth, I will avow, there's none that's uglier than thou!"
This news pleases 'Witch Hazel' no end, as she's afraid of getting pretty as she grows older... in fact, the very thought of being "pretty" tickles her pink, and she creases-up in a fit of laughter. Meanwhile we see a shadowy figure walking the path outside, who we soon discover to be that of 'Bugs Bunny' dressed-up to "Trick Or Treat" in a witch's mask, plus costume, and carrying his "candy bag" in front of him as he goes. Having stopped beside a mailbox belonging to 'Witch Hazel', he pauses to reflect on things and says: "Boy, this trick-or-treatin' is a pretty nice racket. Pity it only comes once a year!"
"Boy, this trick-or-treatin' is a pretty nice racket. Pity it only comes once a year!"
Needless to say, just as 'Witch Hazel' is wishing she had some "guests" to finish-up her "goop", there is a knock at the door... and when she answers, it's 'Bugs Bunny' with his mask back on, enquiring of her: "Evening, Granny... do you have any goodies for a Hallowe'en witch?" and so the story goes on. However, rather than reveal any more of the plot at this stage, why not watch it for yourselves? ;-) :-)
Unlike the previous videos that I've shared (thus far) in this series of posts, "Broom-Stick Bunny" did not seem to be available via 'YouTube' or 'Vimeo' and, as a result, the version I am sharing with you today is hosted on the 'Dailymotion' website. Of course, in addition to watching the embedded video of this cartoon right here on my blog, you can also choose to stream it on your phone or tablet by using the 'Dailymotion' app(s) for both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms on your mobile devices. For those who prefer to watch on their big screen television, there is also a private channel for 'Daily Motion' which is available using the "Add channel with a code" option, that can be found in the 'Manage Account' section of the Roku website. Just use ACCESS CODE: dailymotion to install it
DAILY MOTION PRIVATE CHANNEL..........................................ACCESS CODE: dailymotion
*** N.B. this channel can not be found within the built-in channel store on Roku devices !! ***
HINT: If you are uncertain as to how you go about installing a private channel on your Roku device, you will find full instructions in my "SPECIAL MONTH-LONG BLOGATHON PREVIEW" post as to what needs to be done. For those who may be worried about things being too "tech-y", there's not really much to it... and, once you have signed-in to your Roku account via a desktop web browser, it is quite a simple procedure to type in the (above) access code and have the app automatically added to the selection of channels found under the 'Home' screen of your Roku device(s). Should you have any difficulty, and are unable to finish the process with the instructions from my blogathon preview, just leave a comment below - saying what stage of the process you are stuck on - and I'll do my best to offer some further suggestions as to where you may be going wrong. If you're unable to install the 'Daily Motion' private channel, for whatever reason, you can always just watch the cartoon here! :-D
EXTRA TIP: The built-in 'Search' function within the private channel for 'Daily Motion' is a fairly basic affair and does not permit you to search easily by 'Username' - in this case: "bugs-bunny1", also known as "Bugs Bunny" - or the unique identifier (which is "x2oqe1k" for the video above) - so your best hope of finding "Broom-Stick Bunny" within the 'Daily Motion' private channel on your Roku device is to use the exact title provided by the uploader... so, in this case, you would need to type in all (or part) of the following text: "Bugs Bunny - Broom-Stick Bunny" which is shown (in full) across the middle of the embedded video included in this post. Experience has taught me that not all the video titles will be included within the 'Daily Motion' search results so, if you adopt the same method when searching for another video from their website, your chosen title may not show-up at all. That said, having personally tested this one myself, I can confirm that you will see it listed and that you should be able to stream it on Roku device(s) in it's entirety, without issues! :-)
On whichever platform you decide to watch this video, be sure to watch-out for the scene in which the curious 'Witch Hazel' is super keen to learn the
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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for my next creepy cartoon recommendation from the archives of animated film history, when I will suggest another spooky short for 'Day Thirteen' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" that you can stream right here on this blog - as well as through the equivalent channel on your Roku player(s). Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the "Countdown To Hallowe'en" website & show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can also keep up with the UK Roku action (as it happens) by checking-out my regular 'Weekly RoundUp' posts each weekend where you will find up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a weekly basis (well, almost).
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!
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