Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - 'Toon Town' scene

Composer Alan Silvestri has scored films across many genres. Sometimes, like in this wonderful sequence, he blends genres of music while still keeping the right mood. Action sequence? Car chase? Western? Moment of clarity? Tunnel of dread? Silvestri has you covered.

['Smile, Darn Ya, Smile', from the 1931 Merry Melodies cartoon of the same name, music by Max Rich, lyrics by Charles O'Flynn and Jack Meskill.]

Starring Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer, Stubby Kaye, Alan Tilvern, Mel Blanc and Joel Silver. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, with a wonderful score by his frequent collaborator Alan Silverstri.

[genuinesaucy]

I love how the amazing acting from Bob Hoskins and the terrifying serious music build up so much tension and suspense in this scene; Eddie is absolutely shit scared and traumatized, but he resolves to face his greatest phobia. The fact that it's _Toon Town, _ and all the dramatic hype of the scene was for this ridiculous place, I think is one of the funniest jokes in the entire movie.

[LonePhantom]

1:25 I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it here, too.

This moment is powerful. The way the music pulls to a stop for a moment, then shifts from uplifting to melancholic as Eddie takes a moment and reconsiders the bottle of booze in his hand. It's all but stated outright that he crawled into a bottle after the death of his brother, and that the surliness and mood shifts brought on by drinking strained the relationships and reputation that he still had.

And here, as he stands on the verge of facing his past traumas, Eddie realizes that what he's holding in his hand isn't liquid courage. It's a cheap crutch that doesn't even work that well. It numbs the pain, but it kills your brain, your heart, your common sense, and your resolve in the face of real danger. In the end, all it does is destroy you, and any good you had left in your life.

And, as difficult as it is (fighting an addiction is never easy), Eddie finds the resolve of the gumshoe he used to be. In a poignant moment worthy of any noir detective story, he empties the flask onto the ground, watching as that false courage spatters all over the pavement, as useless as it ever was. And then, to drive the point home, he hurls the bottle into the sky, whips up his old Toon .38 Special, and snaps off his first shot of the evening's upcoming mayhem.

He nails the bottle on the first try, just like old times.

Because, at long last, Eddie Valiant has reclaimed his surname's namesake. He's the Toontown P.I. once more. And with a case afoot, who's got time for false courage and slowed wits? He's got a job to do!

[RetroGaming-gpef]

This location was used 1 year later in 1989 for the scene in Back to The Future Part 2. The tunnel isn’t that long in real life.

[JB-]

1:09
The left bullet sounds like one of the old cowboys “pub scene” in Back To The Future 3

[srjsfangirlPL]

This song is so iconic it always pops up in my mind whenever I read crossover fanfics my friends write, where ToonTown there is showcased or mentioned. Best love letter to animation ever.

[hobbitfan]

2:24 This is Toontown. It’s where all the wonderful & goofy cartoon characters that humans have created over the years live together.

[christymitchell]

Omg there is Roger rabbit comic book. And when this scene came up, he remarked how he couldn’t follow the car cuz the tail lights in the dark of the tunnel reminded Eddie of the red eyed toon. I get extra chills because of it now

[aldoovejero]

0:36 that sound is perfect for a suspense moment 👏👏👏

[bubbyraiden]

Fun Fact: The Outside of the Tunnel was filmed at the Griffith Park in California, while the inside of the tunnel was filmed at another one

[sarina]

My roommate and I just started rewatching Whole Cake Island arc in One Piece. Whole Cake Island always reminds me of this scene. We’re convinced that Eichiro Oda must have been inspired by this when he created the arc.

[TheMrfoxguy]

Like how it bulids up dramatic then the curtain opens

[Nighthawk]

1:40, Eddie pouring the booze out was symbolic since he’s going back to ToonTown. I’m guessing it also means ‘This is for you, Teddy.’

[jlassh]

this is me going into Hollywood at 40 to start partying there for the first time in 10 years.

[erickrosas]

(According to Wikipedia) Felix Was Originally Going To Make A Cameo In The 1988 Film Who Framed Roger Rabbit But The Rights For Him Were Not Obtained Although He Appeares On 0:27 The Tragedy And Comedy Keystone Entrance To Toontown.

[christopherjobfrancisco]

The entrance to ToonTown looks like the entrance to the Batcave.

[thongquehanoi]

Who Framed Fanart Judge Doom Maijima City Scene

[deandreyoung]

1:48 That bullet took care of that bottle. No more drinking for Eddie.

[camiloernestohernandezrinc]

Me, each time when i´m getting into the city of my ex girlfriend

[roses]

It was at this moment Eddie had to face his fear and let go of his hate

[Edgar-zko]

Gives me Super Mario World vibes when Mario or Luigi enters the big red door for a boss fight, only its a big red curtain. Even the shape is similar!