On their way to Pismo Beach*, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck make that wrong turn at Albuquerque and end up in a secret treasure cave in Baghdad.  Thus opens, Chuck Jones’ 1957 “Ali Baba Bunny”.  It doesn’t take but a New York second for Daffy to realize that their travel mistake will make him “comfortably well-off”.  The guardian of the treasure, Hassan, tries his best to halt the thievery, but is stopped by the implacable Bugs Bunny.  “Rabbit Rope Trick” (below) brings to life one of the classic moments from this film.  Created from Chuck Jones’ original drawing, each cel has been hand-painted by expert cel painters much as it would've been when the film was originally made.

“Ali Baba Bunny” premiered February 9 and was directed by Charles M. Jones.  Michael Maltese wrote the story with animation by Richard Thompson, Ken Harris, Abe Levitow and Ben Washam and effects animation by Harry Love.  Maurice Noble created the layouts, the backgrounds were painted by Philip DeGuard and the film editor was Treg Brown.  Voice characterization was provided by Mel Blanc and musical direction by Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn. 

*Pismo Beach, California is located on the central coast between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.  In the early part of this century through the 1950’s, Pismo Beach had a reputation in Hollywood for a less than genteel population.  Noted for its gambling dens and bordellos situated in quaint little cottages by the sea, it drew many a Hollywood personality.  (And the clams weren’t half-bad either, although they’re a protected species now.)