| Director: | I. Freleng |
| Story: | Michael Maltese |
| Animator: | Gerry Chiniquy Manuel Perez Virgil Ross Ken Champin |
| Starring: | Mel Blanc |
| Music: | Carl Stalling |
| Layout Artist: | Hawley Pratt |
| Background Artist: | Paul Julian |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc. |
| Distributor: | Warner Bros. The Vitaphone Corporation |
| Color Process: | Technicolor |
| Runtime: | 8 minutes |
| Language: | English |
Racketeer Rabbit is a 1946 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Friz Freleng.[1] The short was released on September 14, 1946, and features Bugs Bunny.[2] [3] [4]
Bugs Bunny seeks shelter for the night and unwittingly ends up in an abandoned gothic farmhouse, which serves as the hideout for two gangsters, Rocky and Hugo. A chaotic series of events unfolds when Rocky and Hugo return, pursued by rival gangsters, leading to a frenzied gunfight inside the farmhouse. Despite the chaos, Bugs nonchalantly interrupts the mayhem to attend to his basic needs before returning to bed.
During a division of the loot from a recent heist, Bugs cleverly tricks Rocky into relinquishing all the money by assuming various disguises. However, Rocky catches on and demands the money back, leading to a confrontation. Bugs outwits Rocky again by posing as different characters, ultimately causing Rocky's humiliation.
In a final showdown, Bugs assumes the role of a gangster and engages in a comedic altercation with Rocky, culminating in Bugs orchestrating a mock police raid. Using his wit and ingenuity, Bugs ultimately triumphs over Rocky, leaving the gangster defeated and fleeing the scene in a panic. Bugs, with a sigh, reflects on the inability of some individuals to handle humorous situations before returning to his carefree demeanor.
When entering the house, Bugs remarks "Huh? Sounds like Inner Sanctum!", a reference to the popular mystery radio program that aired from January 7, 1941, to October 5, 1952. Bugs impersonates Bugsy Siegel and flips a coin like George Raft in Scarface (1932). His Brooklynite accent serves to complete the image of a tough crook.[3]