What's Up, Doc? (1950) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Bugs Bunny recounts how repeated setbacks and a partnership with Elmer Fudd lead him from chorus work to film stardom.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Rabbit Seeks Stardom

Bugs reflects on growing up in a human-dominated world and developing talents in piano and ballet. He pursues entertainment work but initially receives only Broadway chorus roles.

Key Events

• Poolside Phone Interview — Bugs relaxes poolside while discussing his rise to fame in a phone interview. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Poolside
• Retrospective Begins — Bugs begins tracing his journey from early artistic efforts toward entertainment fame. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Poolside
• Rabbit In Human World — Bugs navigates a human-dominated world while pursuing a professional entertainment career. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Human-dominated world
• Piano Aptitude — Bugs displays early aptitude as a pianist. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Early performance setting
• Ballet Aptitude — Bugs also demonstrates talent in ballet while preparing for entertainment work. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Early performance setting

The Broadway Setback

A star's illness gives Bugs an unexpected leading role. His disappointing performance results in dismissal and deepens his rejection of chorus work.

Key Events

• Ballet Aptitude — Bugs also demonstrates talent in ballet while preparing for entertainment work. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Early performance setting
• Broadway Chorus Work — Bugs pursues stardom but is initially restricted to chorus roles in Broadway productions. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Broadway productions
• Unexpected Leading Role — A star's sudden illness creates an opportunity for Bugs to accept a leading role. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Broadway stage
• Failed Stage Performance — Bugs's leading performance falls short of expectations. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Broadway stage
• Dismissed From Stage — Bugs is dismissed after the unsuccessful leading performance. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Broadway production

Winter And Discovery

Bugs withdraws from the limelight and spends winter among struggling actors in Central Park. Elmer Fudd recognizes his potential and offers him a sidekick position.

Key Events

• Dismissed From Stage — Bugs is dismissed after the unsuccessful leading performance. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Broadway production
• Withdrawal From Limelight — Disenchanted with chorus work, Bugs withdraws from the limelight. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Central Park
• Winter In Central Park — Bugs spends a winter among struggling actors in Central Park. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Central Park
• Elmer Finds Bugs — Elmer recognizes Bugs's potential during his low point. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Central Park
• Sidekick Offer — Elmer offers Bugs a sidekick role in his vaudeville act. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Central Park

The Punchline Reversal

Bugs and Elmer tour nationwide with a vaudeville act. Bugs grows tired of receiving Elmer's jokes and takes over the punchlines, changing the act's dynamic.

Key Events

• Sidekick Offer — Elmer offers Bugs a sidekick role in his vaudeville act. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Central Park
• Nationwide Vaudeville Tour — Bugs and Elmer tour nationwide with a comedy act. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Nationwide vaudeville circuit
• Elmer Delivers Punchlines — Elmer delivers punchlines following Bugs's comedic antics. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Vaudeville stage
• Bugs Takes Control — Tired of receiving Elmer's jokes, Bugs begins delivering the punchlines himself. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Vaudeville stage
• Audience Acclaim — Audiences enthusiastically receive Bugs's new comic timing. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Vaudeville stage

From Stage To Screen

Audiences acclaim Bugs's new comic role, leading to a Warner Bros. screen-test invitation. After a successful audition alongside Elmer, Bugs obtains a film contract and reaches his first film role.

Key Events

• Audience Acclaim — Audiences enthusiastically receive Bugs's new comic timing. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Vaudeville stage
• Warner Bros. Invitation — Their acclaim leads to a Warner Bros. invitation for screen tests. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Warner Bros.
• Successful Screen Test — Bugs auditions successfully alongside Elmer and secures a Warner Bros. contract. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director, Elmer Fudd Location: Warner Bros. screen-test setting
• Late Film Debut — Bugs realizes he is late for his first film role as a chorus boy and performs sourly. Characters: Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director Location: Film set

Story Breakdown

• Poolside Retrospective — The film frames Bugs's career story as a phone interview and personal recollection.
  • Phone Interview — Bugs relaxes poolside while discussing his ascent to fame.
  • Career Recollection — Bugs traces his path from early artistic efforts into entertainment.
• Early Artistic Promise — Bugs develops performance abilities while navigating a human-dominated world.
  • Piano Talent — Bugs displays early aptitude in piano.
  • Ballet Talent — Bugs demonstrates ability in ballet.
• Broadway Disappointment — Bugs's first professional stage ambitions are limited by chorus work and a failed promotion.
  • Chorus Roles — Bugs is initially relegated to chorus roles in Broadway productions.
  • Failed Lead — A substitute leading performance falls short and costs Bugs his stage position.
• Central Park Low Point — After leaving the stage, Bugs spends a winter among struggling actors and waits for another opportunity.
  • Withdrawal — Bugs rejects a return to chorus work and withdraws from the limelight.
  • Winter Hardship — Bugs remains in Central Park among struggling performers.
• Elmer's Vaudeville Offer — Elmer Fudd discovers Bugs's potential and creates a new professional path for him.
  • Talent Recognition — Elmer recognizes Bugs during his period of professional discouragement.
  • Sidekick Position — Elmer offers Bugs a role in his vaudeville act.
• Punchline Breakthrough — Bugs transforms the act by taking control of the comedy and earns enthusiastic public approval.
  • Nationwide Tour — Bugs and Elmer perform together across the country.
  • Bugs Takes Punchlines — Bugs stops merely receiving Elmer's jokes and delivers the punchlines himself.
• Warner Bros. Breakthrough — The successful vaudeville act opens the way to screen testing and a film contract.
  • Screen Test Invitation — Warner Bros. invites Bugs and Elmer after the act receives widespread acclaim.
  • Film Contract — Bugs succeeds in the audition and secures a Warner Bros. contract.
• Irony Of Arrival — Bugs reaches film work but finds himself cast as a chorus boy again, ending the recollection with comic frustration.
  • Late Film Role — Bugs realizes he is late for his first film role.
  • Sour Chorus Performance — He performs as a chorus boy with a sour expression.

Directed by

Robert McKimson

Key Cast

• Mel Blanc — Bugs Bunny / Al Jolson / Eddie Cantor / Director (voice)
• Richard Bickenbach — Bing Crosby (voice) (uncredited)
• Arthur Q. Bryan — Elmer Fudd (voice) (uncredited)