Over 50 Classic “Looney Tunes” Titles Released from Warner Archive: A New Treasure for Animation Fans
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, Warner Bros. has released over 50 additional classic titles from the Looney Tunes catalog, presented as the second volume in the Looney Tunes: Collector’s Vault series and recognized as an essential treasure for animation enthusiasts.
When it comes to honoring the rich legacy of animation, no studio has performed as impressively in the physical media domain as Warner Bros. Through its archival label, Warner Archive Collection, and under the meticulous oversight of film historian George Feltenstein, the company has consistently restored, preserved, and remastered its cartoon library from the LaserDisc era onward, making these works available in their best formats for home viewing.
This effort continues this month with the release of Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 2, a Blu-ray edition featuring over 50 important cartoons, at least half of which had never been released in HD.
The collection was curated by Feltenstein and animation expert Jerry Beck, highlighting well-known Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, while also giving attention to lesser-known figures like Conrad Cat and Angelo the Mighty Flea.
Even among the most famous characters, Feltenstein and Beck have included rarely rebroadcast works. For example, the 1941 short The Heckling Hare, directed by Tex Avery, showcases one of Bugs Bunny’s earliest appearances, establishing the character’s signature sarcasm and comedic style. This cartoon is also notable as one of Avery’s final works for Warner before leaving the studio due to creative differences.
Volume Two also highlights important yet lesser-known Warner directors, such as Art Davis, who worked briefly at the studio in the late 1940s but created significant works. Among the standout pieces is Bowery Bugs, a 1949 comedic short depicting Bugs Bunny in 1880s New York interacting with the real-life figure Steve Brodie.
Another classic Bugs Bunny cartoon in the collection, A-Lad-In His Lamp, opens the set with a highly entertaining story where Bugs encounters a genie (voiced by Jim Backus). Directed by Robert McKimson, this short has been restored from its original negatives, offering remarkable visual and audio quality.
The set also features key works by Chuck Jones, including Stop! Look! And Hasten!—one of the finest Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons, famously referenced in the film The Shining—and You Were Never Duckier, which showcases the evolution of Daffy Duck’s character. These shorts are accompanied by audio commentary from animation historians including Michael Barrier, Greg Ford, and Eric Goldberg.
While many studios prefer to hand over their archives to independent publishers, Warner Archive’s commitment to preserving the Looney Tunes legacy is commendable. The release also coincides with the studio’s restoration of live-action titles such as Vincente Minnelli’s Tea and Sympathy, It All Came True starring Humphrey Bogart, and The Gay Divorcee.
Despite uncertainties surrounding these projects amid Warner’s ownership changes, Feltenstein and his team continue their work diligently. With Volume Two now released, plans for Looney Tunes Vault Collection: Volume 3 are already underway.
Looney Tunes Collector’s Vault: Volume 2 was released on Blu-ray by Warner Archive on March 24.
