In 1988, my son and daughter were seven and nine years old when we first saw the silly, animated film WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT together in a movie theater. We laughed our heads off. It was outrageous, and the first full-length feature film to combine actors with cartoon characters on such an enormous scale. The bits and running gags were familiar, but they took on new meaning when entwined with such a detailed plot and cast of characters. It was a fun mystery trying to solve whodunnit. I can still hear Aaron and Ilisa’s giggles in the dark. They were enraptured seeing all their favorites from Warner Brothers and Disney Studios come together to delight the young and old. We ate a tub of popcorn and held butter-covered hands when it was scary and exciting. My daughter walked out singing, SMILE, DARN YA, SMILE, and Aaron imitated Porky Pig saying, “That’s all folks.” All three of us almost “laughed ourselves to death” along with the hyenas. Priceless, precious moments I can still see as if they were yesterday…
WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT won three Oscars for Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects, as well as an award for Special Achievement for the Direction and Creation of Cartoon Characters. It was such a beautiful, believable, blend that Bob Hoskins’ young son would not talk to him for several weeks after seeing the movie when he realized his dad never introduced him to Bugs Bunny on the set. It took over 300 animators to create the 82,000 animated frames.
The most famous line in the film was spoken by Jessica (Kathleen Turner). “I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.” As a side note, Kathleen never received credit for her voiceover role. Amy Irving was Jessica’s singing voice and she received full credit for the role. I loved the reason Jessica gave when asked why she married Roger. She simply stated, “He makes me laugh.” Women all over the world should take note when selecting their mate. When creating Jessica’s sultry walk, the animators drew her boobs bouncing upward with every step. This does not happen in real life. If only…
Robert Zemeckis, the director, gave audiences a plethora of special moments from WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. It would be impossible to forget the crazy yellow cab, the piano duet featuring Daffy Duck and Donald Duck, Roger swallowing booze, Roger not being able to not “knock, knock” back, Christopher Lloyd as the evil Judge, melting like the Wicked Witch in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and his red, non-blinking eyes. I also cannot let go of the toon’s definition of a freeway, the tunnel entrance into Toon Town, and Bob Hoskins as Eddie doing the clown dance. Seeing almost every cartoon character come together was miraculous and brilliant, and it took my breath away to hear my favorites talk and sing with each other once again.
WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT cannot be taken seriously. It can only be appreciated as the genius, madcap, frenzy cartoon classic that it is. The film created the space for studios to rub shoulders with each other and offered our eyes a chance to “boinnng” as we watched. It was creative, innovative, and ahead of its time. Yet, it still gives a “wow” reaction over forty years later. Enjoy the antics of Roger and the entire Toon Town cast with a child. I predict it will be magical. It is available on Disney+.
