Roger Rabbit

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For the 1988 film, see Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Roger Rabbit is a fictional rabbit. The character first appeared in the book Who Censored Roger Rabbit? by Gary K. Wolf, which was loosely adapted into the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Mixing both live action and animation to create a believable "toon" universe Disney studios set up an animation studio in Camden town, London, whilst the live action was shot at Elstree film studios. Both the animation and live action were then composited by ILM fx studios in LA. In the book, Roger is a sidekick in a popular comic strip called "Baby Herman," his murder is being investigated by a Detective named Eddie Valiant and a slowly evaporating stunt doppelganger of himself that he created hours before being shot. In the film version, he is re-envisioned as a 1940's character in animated cartoons and a resident of the fictional Los Angeles enclave, Toontown. He is framed for a murder and seeks out Valiant to help clear his name. In the film, the voice of Roger was performed by comedian Charles Fleischer, who was known for electing to wear an actual rabbit costume on the set to get into the role. One of his famous traits is his hilarious voice, "P-b-b-b-b-bleeeease!".

Roger also starred in a comic book series from April 1990 to September 1991 and a spin-off series called Roger Rabbit's Toontown, published from June to October 1991, which featured Roger in the first story and supporting characters like Jessica Rabbit (Roger's voluptuous human toon wife), Baby Herman (his co-star in Maroon Cartoons), Benny the Cab (Roger's taxicab friend), and the weasels (Roger's enemies).

In Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Roger idly reveals that he is Thumper's nephew, as Valiant is discussing Acme's will, and brings up the possibility of probate:

"My Uncle Thumper had trouble with his probate, and he had to take these big pills, and drink lots of water"

"Not prostate you idiot, probate!

[edit] Appearances and influences

Roger Rabbit was originally going to be the star of the animated series now known as Bonkers, however the show was forced to create original characters due to copyright issues.

Roger was also prominently featured in the Wonderful World of Disney television special Mickey's 60th Birthday. At the beginning, Roger is supposed to provide Mickey's birthday cake, but in his attempt to do so, he mistakenly places a stick of dynamite on said cake, thinking it to be a candle. When he realizes his mistake, he tries and fails to put it out, destroying the set in the process. Roger's act there causes Mickey to magically fix it, thus getting the special's main plot started. Afterwards, Roger doesn't appear until the end when he "finds" Mickey, who has been thought to be missing. In-between, though, his film is referenced twice.

Rumors point out that an early version of Roger has a cameo in the rare animated short Sport Goofy in Soccermania. Because the short came out before the release of Roger's film a cameo may seem impossible, but both were in production within the same time frame.

Roger is also the inspiration for a popular dance move in the early 1990s, called the "Roger Rabbit" due to the floppy movements of the Disney character. In movement, the Roger Rabbit dance is similar to the Running Man, but done by skipping backwards with arms performing a flapping gesture.

Roger has a cameo appearance (of sorts) in Aladdin and the King of Thieves. When Genie is showing Jasmine images of various outfits, one of them is Jessica Rabbits' body, with Rogers' head peeking out from behind.

Mickey's Toontown is a themed land, partly based on the movie, found in Disney's theme parks. The Mickey's Toontowns in Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland both have a Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin attraction.

In an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures, Roger is granted access to the Warner Bros. studio by Ralph the Guard.