Prest-O Change-O (1939) User Reviews

Bugs Bunny prototype before they got it right...

[Doylenf · 5/10 · 25 March 2009]

I found this only vaguely amusing with the magic tricks being the only bonus feature of the plot. Perhaps because BUGS BUNNY isn't the Bugs we all came to know later on. He's sketched in with little character and never once says his famous: "What's up, doc?" Chuck Jones was clearly experimenting with the little rabbit and does have him playing the sort of pranks he would become famous for once he became a cartoon celebrity.

Animation is okay, the pace is very fast with numerous sight gags due to the clever bunny, and it must have appealed to children at the time.

Summing up: Not one of the better Bugs Bunny cartoons.

Two Dogs Abused

[Hitchcoc · 5/10 · 6 February 2019]

Two dogs, chased by a dog catcher, take refuge in a creepy old house. Apparently, it is the home of a magician. In the house is a white rabbit who uses magic to torment the two dogs. He drops pots on them. He makes balloons come out of their mouths. The dogs are foils, but they have done nothing to deserve this. So because the whole thing is one-sided, it goes nowhere. Even the tricks get a bit tiresome.

Magic amusement

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 30 November 2017]

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

Chuck Jones is one of the greatest geniuses in animation history, or at least to me and many others, but 'Prest-O Change-O' while still a watchable effort is not one of the best representations of him by any stretch. Once his style was properly found, when his cartoons became much funnier, wittier, more inventively animated and iconic characters introduced and made household names, Jones did go on to much better things. 'Prest-O Change-O' having said that is an interesting look at him in his early days.

'Prest-O Change-O' is amusing and fun, but there is not much that is inventive or hilarious, the cartoon lacks the razor-sharp pacing and wit of Jones' best work and the story as well as being thin contains few surprises.

However, the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant, complete with some great expressions for particularly the rabbit.

Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.

The rabbit is no Bugs, not as interesting in personality, but the character drives the action to fun effect. The dogs are great fun with personalities that are endearing and engaging. The gags and magic tricks are nicely timed and amusing, if not exactly original. Timing is lively enough. Mel Blanc's versatility as ever shines impeccably.

Overall, pretty good but Jones went on to better things. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Bugs Bunny's prototype

[lee_eisenberg · 8/10 · 10 July 2007]

When the Termite Terrace crowd formally created Bugs Bunny, they made sure to instill in him the most acerbic irreverence possible. But even before they consecrated this, Bugs's prototype (informally called Happy Rabbit) was sure one wacky dude! "Prest-O Change-O" is a case in point. Here, two dogs escape the dogcatcher and enter a magician's house where a trickster rabbit makes their lives a living hell. Some of those tricks I couldn't have imagined! So, on one level it's a sort of before-they-were-famous situation for that carrot-chomping rascal. But mostly, it's a way to have fun. You just gotta love some of the things that that hooligan hare pulls.

I guess that had they waited a few years to make this, then Bugs would have made the dogs think that he was selling them something, and then given them lit dynamite.

Decent Short

[Michael_Elliott · 4 April 2009]

Prest-O Change-O (1939)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Two dogs are trying to get away from a dog catcher during a stormy night. The two duck into a haunted house where a magician's rabbit decides to drive them crazy. There's a lot more style than actual substance in this short, which manages to look beautiful but it's a little too hollow to fully enjoy. What I enjoyed most was the animated work, which is extremely well done by Jones. There are many wonderful visuals including an early one where a door begins to shrink just as one of the dogs walks through but the other can't make it. The reaction to the second dog is priceless and funny as well. The rabbit here is certainly an early model for Bugs Bunny but you will clearly see that the two aren't even close. This is by no means a bad film but there's must better out there.

I like the fact that the rabbit gets it

[alexandrur-65739 · 9/10 · 3 May 2021]

That is something that we don't really see in the looney tunes also the place where the action takes place that being a magician's house gives you a lot of possibilities that the cartoons didn't take full advantage Overall a great cartoon of am early bugs bunny, can't admire the fact that the rabbit gets it.

I do not find this sort of stuff entertaining, I find it interesting.

[Mightyzebra · 8/10 · 20 March 2008]

From a slightly historical point of view, this cartoon is quite well-worth watching. In the days that this short was made, children were entertained by this sort of thing. I find it interesting to see how children were entertained by cartoons, watching this to receive a basic idea (I have watched other cartoons to do the same, but mainly for entertainment. I found this more interesting than entertaining).

I also really like the first Bugs Bunny featured, in many ways I prefer him to the Bugs we know today. I like the way he is animated and I also quite like his tricks and personality - even if it is very mean.

For what else is in the episode, I particularly like the theme of magic tricks and the white dog with black ears - very cute. **SPOILER!! SPOILER!! It is very unusual how Bugs is outwitted at the end, but personally I think he pretty much deserved it, even though I have to feel sorry for him. SPOILER OVER!! SPOILER OVER!!**

At the beginning, a pound van is chasing two stray dogs. The dogs hide behind near a house and the van drives past, not noticing the dogs are gone. The house belongs to a magician and the dogs are "forced" in an unusual way. Inside the house, they meet a curious rabbit who can perform amazing magic tricks...

Recommended for people who are interested in the older Bugs Bunny, enjoy "Prest-O Change-O"!

Available on YouTube as "Saturday Morning Cartoons "Prest-O Change-O"".