By Michael Lyons
In summer of 1988, noted film critic Roger Ebert wrote a four star review of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” that began:
“I stopped off a hot dog stand before the screening of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ and ran into a couple of the other local movie critics. They said that they were going to the same screening. I asked them what they had heard about the film. They said that they were going to see it for the second time in two days. That’s the kind of word of mouth that money can’t buy.”
Mr. Ebert’s words perfectly sum up the excitement that surrounded the release of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” three decades ago. It also sums up why this film is such a landmark, so remarkable, still highly regarded and, as the old saying goes, the kind of film they just don’t make any more...and sadly, may never make again.
Director Robert Zemeckis’ tale of “...a man, a woman and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble” (as the movie poster said) is still a wonder to behold. In a 1947 world where cartoon characters and humans live side by side, Hollywood detective Eddie Valiant (the brilliant Bob Hoskins) has to help clear the name of a “‘Toon” (as cartoon characters are called in the film) named Roger Rabbit (the voice of Charles Fleischer), who finds himself framed for the murder of Marvin Acme, head of the Maroon Cartoon studio.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” combined live-action and animation as never before. In the film, the “‘Toons” cast shadows, interact with the live-action sets and seemingly EXIST alongside the actors. Even in our age where computers make anything possible, this movie is still astonishing.
With “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, it’s the perfect time to return to Toontown to celebrate this revolutionary piece of movie history with a Top Ten, or in this case “Top Toon” list of fun facts:
10-Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was based on a novel, “Who Censored Roger Rabbit” by Gary K. Wolf. Published in 1981, the book actually takes place in a current day setting and centers on comic strips instead of animation, with cameos from such famous comic characters as Beetle Bailey, Blondie and even Snoopy.
9-When the film was in production at Disney, comedian Paul Reubens (a/k/a Pee-Wee Herman) was the original voice of Roger, in early test footage.
8-Bob Hoskins wasn’t the first choice for Eddie Valiant. Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, Chevy Chase and Eddie Murphy were all in contention for the role. Today, its so strange to think of anyone but Hoskins as Eddie.
7- Charles Fleischer was a “method Toon.” Not only did he voice Roger, but he was on set during filming of the live action scenes, wearing a Rabbit costume!
6-Richard Williams directed the animation sequences for the film. At the time, Williams had been working on his own animated feature, “The Thief and the Cobbler.” The film was a true passion project for Williams, but sadly had a troubled path, where it was in and out of production for almost thirty years. The film was eventually released theatrically in 1995 as “Arabian Knight.” A remastered (or “recobbled”) cut is available on DVD.
5- “Who framed Roger Rabbit” is a never before and never again “mash-up” of cartoon characters from competing studios like Disney, Warner Bros., Fleischer, MGM and Universal. While landmark pairings like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny occur in the movie, there were plans for others, such as Superman, Popeye and Felix the Cat, but rights couldn’t be obtained in time.
4-To play his role of villain Judge Doom with true menace, actor Christopher Lloyd made the decision not to blink in any of his scenes. This also is a nod to the final reveal of who he really is (no spoilers here).
3-In the scene in which Eddie and Roger attempt to get out of handcuffs, a ceiling lamp is bumped, creating swirling light and shadow throughout the room. This caused the animators to work extra hard on Roger’s animation in the scene, as the light and shadow had to have continuity. For years after at the Disney Studio, the term “Bump the Lamp” was used to refer to providing detail, making things better and “plussing” something, even though many may not notice it.
2-Three Roger Rabbit short subjects followed the feature “Who Framed Roger Rabbit:” “Tummy Trouble” (1989, Released with “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”), “Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990, released with “Dick Tracy”) and “Trail Mix-up (1993, released with “A Far Off Place”). The latter two were produced at Disney’s, now defunct, Florida Animation Studio.
1- “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was released on June 22, 1988 and went on to make $329 million at the box office. The film also earned a Special Achievement Oscar, presented to Richard Williams and re-ignited an interest in classic animation that kicked off a Second Golden Age of animation at Disney and other Studios. For a number of years, there was constant discussion of sequels and prequels, which now seem to have a slim chance of becoming a reality...but thirty years later, fans still hold out hope and, in the words of Roger himself say, “P-p-p-p-p lease?!?”
Sources:
IMDb
Robert Ebert.com
Wikipedia
Really exceptional !!!!!!
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