Prest-O Change-O (1939)

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Go in cold, and you're likely to emerge with your blood boiling. This has to be seen to be believed.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

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

. . . that a much maligned BROWN dog would deliver a knock-out punch to a tricky WHITE rabbit fraudster to climax PREST-O CHANGE-O, an eerily prophetic Looney Tunes prognostication about Today's America from the 1930s? Recently TV pundits on Fox "News" have been saying that "America Voted--Black Lives really DON'T Matter--get over it!" and "Every time Colin Kaepernick disrespected Our Flag, Anthem, Cops, and Soldiers, it was another 100,000 votes for Trump." In Warner Bros.' PREST-O CHANGE-O warning, the Canine of Color standing in for Colin decks his elusive White nemesis Happy Rabbit, representing White House Resident-Elect Rump. Like Rump, Happy Rabbit tries to rule his domain through the use of smoke, mirrors, and "magic." Warner Bros. suggests that there might be hope for America yet, by showing an Animal Control Exterminator truck passing Happy Rabbit's Den of Iniquity as PREST-O CHANGE-O begins. Perhaps the Beastie SWAT squad missed its turn, Warner seems to be implying, and will soon be back to perform an "Osama" upon Our Illegitimate Rump. As someone said, HOPE FLOATS!

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"".

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.