There were a couple cartoons done in the late 40's where Bugs Bunny told his backstory. "What's Up Doc?" (released in 1950) tells of Bugs' start in show business. This short tells of his upbringing in the lower east side of New York. Nothing is related though on how Bugs became who he is. Instead, Bugs relates an encounter with a gang of Bowery Boys-esque dogs. As with many of Bugs' adversaries, he manages to outsmart them at every turn, chiefly their leader.Based on the sound of the cue that plays over the opening credits, one presumes that this backstory takes place at the turn of the century, considering that's when the song "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" dates to, but there's nothing else that suggests so. My favorite part of this short was always the rendition of that song.Bugs Bunny was in his prime during the late 40's and this is one of his best shorts of this period.

Directed by the wonderful Isadore "Friz" Freleng, "A Hare Grows in Manhattan" is a fine Bugs Bunny cartoon that describes how the wascawwy wabbit came to make his mark in the pantheon of Hollywood stars. It wasn't easy, as he had to protect himself from a menacing canine mob.Highlights: Bugs' tap dancing & singing "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" is brilliant. (Friz Freleng knew he could always rely on animator Gerry Chiniquy to take care of any dance sequences in his cartoons.) Bugs conceals himself within a hilarious Egyptian cigarette ad featuring a catchy Latin percussion rhythm. And finally, "Dog pile on the rabbit!"Last but not least, "A Hare Grows in Manhattan" features a great music score by the unfortunately underrated Carl W. Stalling, in particular not only during the aforementioned cigarette ad but also during the ascending elevator ride and during Bugs' hop on all fours (featuring some dissonant clarinets).

To fellow reviewers here: the title is there only because this is a play-on-words of the 1945 classic movie and best-selling book, "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." So, Bugs growing up in Manhattan despite a Brooklyn accent is meaningless....not to be taken literally. It's all about fooling with the title name and nothing more. (Yes, Bugs IS from Brooklyn!)The story is told in flashback as some Hollywood celebrity magazine interviewer is visiting Bugs' digs and asking about publishing his life story. Bugs quickly dons a robe and sunglasses and plays the "star" to the hilt, and relays his story about growing up in New York City.Funny "bits" include Baby Bugs popping out of a flower plant holder sucking a carrot with a nipple on the end of it; the "He went that way" sign on electronic ticker-tape-type message board; the elevator zig-zagging up the skyscraper; Bugs doing his Egyptian dance, and finally, the plug for "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" book.More than the cartoon story, I enjoyed the artwork in here. Many of the Manahattan buildings and streets were beautifully painted. One shot has the Stork Club will the the striped canapé with yellow, red and brown buildings next to it. I froze the frame it looked an Edward Hopper painting - just magnificent artwork.

Bugs Bunny now a big star in LA tells gossip columnist Lola Beverly of his humble beginnings growing up in New York in particular facing a gang of street tough dogs. Of course outwitting these canine ruffians is no problem for young Bugs. This short is fairly humorous if nothing special, Bugs doesn't even have to use his razor sharp wit in this one as the dogs are pretty much on the dumb side. That being said, it was STILL a Bugs cartoon and I find myself entertained by every short of his just because of that (unless the shorts happens to be directed by Robert McKimson). This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 set.My Grade: B-