The Looney Tunes Golden Collection

Here's what's up, doc: 56 mostly classic Warner Bros. cartoons from the studio's 1940s and '50s heyday. An essential, albeit hardly definitive, four-disc set that gloriously illustrates the simple method to the Warner madness--namely, the animators didn't make these cartoons for children, but rather to amuse themselves--The Looney Tunes Golden Collection serves up Warner's answer to Disney's more artful "Silly Symphonies." All of the cartoon icons are represented here, including the titanic trio of "wascally wabbit" Bugs Bunny (ranked by TV Guide as the greatest cartoon character of all time), Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Further all-stars include Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam, Road Runner, Pepe Le Pew, Tweety, Sylvester, Foghorn Leghorn, Speedy Gonzales, the Goofy Gophers, and rodent duo Hubie and Bertie. While it doesn't get any better than "Rabbit Seasoning," "Rabbit of Seville," and "Duck Amuck," the set also includes such lesser-known stand-alone gems as Chuck Jones' "Feed the Kitty." And that's not all, folks. Animation buffs will treasure segments devoted to the animators, peerless voice artist Mel Blanc, and musical maestro Carl Stalling, as well as illuminating cartoon commentary and a documentary chronicling the golden age of Warner cartoons narrated by Stan Freberg. Considering Warner's prodigious output, it is understandable that several masterworks might be missing in action. But no "What's Opera, Doc?"? No "One Froggy Evening"? No "Little Red Riding Rabbit"? To quote Bugs: "Of course, you know this means war." Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (K. Lee Benson)