My Bunny Lies over the Sea

My Bunny Lies over the Sea, a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon, was released on December 14, 1948. This theatrical cartoon was directed by Chuck Jones and written by Michael Maltese. Mel Blanc played both Bugs Bunny and the Scotsman. Some of the animators included Ken Harris, Lloyd Vaughan, and Phil Monroe.

The title is an obvious play on the second line of the old song, "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean". The seven minute short has been released on DVD multiple times in different compilation discs, and as of 2003^[update] is available on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1. And, though this cartoon was the Scotsman's (named Angus MacRory) only theatrical appearance, he also made his second major role in "It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World" episode (released on February 3, 1996) in The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries. The Scotsman can briefly be seen on a couple of Animaniacs episodes. He can also be seen in the 1996 hit film, Space Jam, watching the Tunesquad/Michael Jordan basketball game.

Plot synopsis

This cartoon begins as Bugs Bunny once again gets lost when he is tunneling to his vacation spot. He accidentally ends up in Scotland, instead of the La Brea Tar Pits. Upon his arrival, he repeats his usual catchphrase "I Knew I should have made that left turn at Albuquerque" and accidentally mistakes a Scotsman named Angus MacRory dressed in traditional clothes and playing the bagpipes for a lady being attacked by a "Horrible Monster". Bugs Bunny jumps MacRory trying to rescue the "woman", and in the process he smashes his bagpipes into little pieces. MacRory becomes enraged that his bagpipes have been absolutely ruined and the angered MacRory threatens Bugs, who discovers that MacRory is actually a man, to which MacRory responds "Certain I'm a man! And what's wrong with THAT?!" to which Bugs responds "WHAT'S WRONG?!" and then tells the audience "'What's Wrong' he says" and then points out that MacRory can't wear a kilt (since it's obviously mistaken for a skirt) making it "indecent". MacRory is confused about the situation until Bugs comes back with a barrel and puts it on MacRory:"It ain't got a pair of pants, but it'll do till you get home." Bugs then asks MacRory for the directions to the "La Brea Tar Pits in Los Ahn-galays", confusing MacRory even further until he runs home and gets a blunderbuss and points out "There are NO La B-r-r-rea Tar-r-r Pits in SCOTLAND!!!". When Bugs realizes the location he is in, he bids MacRory "Eh, what's up, MacDoc?" and runs for it just as MacRory shoots and chases after the bullet and reveals to the audience "It's been in the family for years" and shoots at Bugs, who dives back into his hole and comes back out disguised as an old Scotsman accusing MacRory of "poaching on my property!", MacRory sees through the disguise and challenges Bugs Bunny to a duel—a game of golf (Bugs at first wanted to play a card game, and when corrected, asks MacRory if he ever "gets tired of running them 18 bases"). Of course, throughout the game of golf Bugs Bunny manages to outsmart MacRory (for example, tricking him into thinking a hole is an auction and getting him to bid down to 1), and eventually wins, much to the Scotsman's wrath. MacRory accepts defeat after Bugs clears himself of cheating, but still claims that he can't be beaten when it comes to playing bagpipes. After playing, he dares Bugs to 'try and top that,' which the rabbit does by dressing like a Scot and playing not only bagpipes, but also a trombone, saxophone, trumpet, two clarinets, cymbals on his feet, and a bass drum with his ears. Bugs takes one last glimpse at the audience before iris out.

Other Appearances

The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries: The Scotsman from the cartoon makes his second major role in the "It's a Plaid, Plaid, Plaid, Plaid World" episode. His full name, "Angus MacCrory" is revealed. He is revealed to be Granny's fourth cousin twice removed.

Animaniacs: In the Dot's Quiet Time segment, When Dot is in Scotland, having finally found a quiet place, the Scotsman walks by Dot playing his bagpipes, disturbing her. In the Hurray for Slappy segment, he can be spotted in the crowd at the end of the short.

Space Jam: The Scotsman from the cartoon can be spotted on the bleachers watching the basketball playoff between the Toon Squad and the Monstars.

Censorship

• The version of this cartoon shown on CBS in the 1970s/1980s cut the part after the Scotsman McCrory shoots his blunderbuss at Bugs where the bullet falls, McCrory picks it up, and asides to the audience that, "It's been in the family for years".