Eh ... What's Up Doc?

One of the most recognizable characters in the world, Bugs Bunny is the street-smart wise-guy who led Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes gang in their animated high jinks. The world's most famous rabbit, Bugs was "born" in Brooklyn, New York to a clutch of "fathers" -- Ben "Bugs" Hardaway, Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, Robert McKimson, Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng -- each of whom added to the rascal hare's distinctive look and personality, according to Wikipedia. It was voice actor Mel Blanc who gave Bugs his memorable Brooklyn/Bronx voice. The 4-value commemorative issued by Albania in 2005 celebrates that "wascally wabbit." Click the post title to order.

Continually bullied into feuding with the likes of Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Marvin the Martian, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and a host of others, Bugs would drawl, "Of course you realize, 'dis means war!" before proceeding to outwit the bad guys. Director Chuck Jones stole the line from Groucho Marx. A modern-day trickster in the style of the Norse god Loki, the African Anansi and the American South's Br'er Rabbit, Bugs was a master at creating mischief while duping his hapless victims.

Bugs' most famous mannerism, nonchalantly chewing a carrot, was a parody of a famous scene from the movie, It Happened One Night. In the movie, Clark Gable leans against a fence eating carrots faster than he can swallow, talking to Claudette Colbert with his mouth full during a hitch-hiking scene. So famous was this scene at the time that it was instantly recognized by most movie-goers. His famous line, What's up doc?, first written by director Tex Avery for the 1940's short, A Wild Hare, was a common greeting in Avery's native Texas. It brought down the house, becoming a national catch-phrase that became so popular it was included in virtually every Bugs Bunny cartoon thereafter. The wily wabbit's moniker, Bugs, was a 1940's nickname meaning crazy or loopy. While the most famous Bugs of the time period was gangster Bugs Moran, Bugs Bunny has clearly surpassed him in longevity and notoriety.

Starting his career in the movies, like most stars Bugs eventually wandered over to television where he enjoyed a sterling 40-year career and can still be seen on cable. In 1997, he was the first toon to grace a U.S. postage stamp. Bugs has been featured in comic books and video games. He even won an Oscar in 1958 for Knighty Knight Bugs.

County Stamp Center has lots of cartoon stamps to tickle your funny bone. Visit our website and use our easy search feature to find just what you're looking for. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs. That's all folks!