Who was Jessica Rabbit?... the femme fatale from the ground breaking live action/animated film "Who Roger Rabbit".
Jessica’s speaking voice was performed by Kathleen Turner (uncredited) and her singing voice was performed by Amy Irving.
Long before I even knew who Veronica Lake was, and being the right age to appreciate this film like only kids can, I fell in love with Jessica Rabbit. Oozing sex from the cinema screen has always been the goal of the director when working with the most beautiful women of the time... and Jessica Rabbit does this perfectly. The sultry voice, the long hair, unashamed bosom and the legs that go on forever.
But she’s just a cartoon! And as such she must be based upon something in real life in order for the audience to relate to what she is and why she does the things she does. Undoubtedly many of Veronica’s assets were the model for Mrs Rabbit, especially the only ever visible single eye.
I seem to remember reading that the creator/artistic director of ’WFRR’ denied that Jessica was a cartoon version of Veronica but agreed she was more than a passing influence. Whether Jessica was the invention of the artist or not, the parallels between her look and that of Veronica Lake in her heyday are striking.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a groundbreaking film released in 1988, directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, in collaboration with Disney’s Touchstone Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. This innovative movie is notable for seamlessly blending live-action and animation, a technical and storytelling marvel at the time of its release.
The film is set in a fictional version of 1947 Hollywood where animated characters, known as "Toons," live and work alongside humans. The story revolves around Roger Rabbit, a toon who is framed for the murder of a wealthy businessman and seeks the help of a down-on-his-luck private detective, Eddie Valiant, played by Bob Hoskins. Eddie is initially reluctant to take Roger’s case due to his personal bias against toons, stemming from a tragic past event where a toon killed his brother. However, as they delve deeper into the mystery, Eddie uncovers a larger conspiracy that threatens the entire toon world.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is celebrated for its clever mix of comedy, mystery, and film noir elements, as well as its homage to the golden age of American animation. The film features appearances by several iconic cartoon characters from various studios, including Warner Bros.’ Bugs Bunny and Disney’s Mickey Mouse, marking one of the few times characters from competing studios appeared together on screen.
The film’s technical achievements were groundbreaking at the time. It required innovative techniques to combine live-action footage with animation, leading to a visually stunning and immersive experience. The interaction between the live-action and animated characters was particularly praised for its believability and fluidity.
Kathleen Turner provided the uncredited voice of Jessica Rabbit, Roger’s wife, who became an iconic character in her own right. Charles Fleischer provided the voice of Roger Rabbit, among other toon characters.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was a critical and commercial success, winning several Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Sound Effects Editing, and a Special Achievement Award for Animation Direction. It has since been regarded as a landmark in the history of animation and is credited with revitalizing interest in the golden age of American cartoons. The film’s innovative blend of genres, along with its technical achievements, have made it a classic, influencing both animation and live-action film-making.
