A Wild Hare (reissued as The Wild Hare) is a 1940 American animated comedy short film directed by Tex Avery, produced by Leon Schlesinger, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures as part of the Merrie Melodies series. The film was released on July 27, 1940, and features Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, the latter making what is considered his first official appearance.

Plot

thumb|Fudd looking for Bugs.

Elmer Fudd is stealthily maneuvering, reciting his iconic mantra, "Shh. Be very, very quiet. I'm hunting wabbits." Positioned near one of Bugs' warrens, he lays a carrot as bait and conceals himself behind foliage. Bugs, in a witty exchange, retrieves the carrot and engages in a playful tussle with Fudd's firearm, resulting in a whimsical transformation of the barrel into a contorted bow.

As Elmer persistently pursues Bugs, the rabbit emerges nonchalantly, brandishing another carrot, and humorously toys with Fudd's perception of rabbit characteristics. This culminates in Bugs revealing his true identity, playfully interacting with Elmer before darting away. Elmer's attempts to ensnare Bugs backfire comically, including mistaking a skunk for his elusive target, leading to a humorous encounter that leaves Elmer red-faced and humbled. Bugs orchestrates an elaborate ruse, feigning demise to toy with Elmer's emotions, before delivering a whimsical comeuppance, leaving the hapless Fudd bewildered and defeated. Elmer storms off, humiliated and lamenting his misadventures hysterically. As Bugs reflects on Elmer's antics, he whimsically serenades with a carrot-turned-fife, marching towards his burrow reminiscent of patriotic imagery.

Voice Cast

  • Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny / Skunk (uncredited)

What's up, Doc?

  • Bob Clampett claimed in the interview with Michael Barrier and Bugs Bunny Superstar that his depiction of Bugs was inspired by the film It Happened One Night, with Clark Gable's character chewing a carrot in a non-chalant stance while talking to Claudette Colbert's character about hitchhiking, however Avery denied this in the Avery-Jones letter, outright questioning it. However, this was the inspiration for the prototypical version that is seen in Porky's Hare Hunt, according to Friz Freleng. Also, Freleng says that Gable's character was not the inspiration, but Roscoe Karns's character, Oscar Shapeley, was the partial inspiration for the version created by Avery.
  • The line "What's up, Doc?" was added by director Tex Avery for this film. Avery explained later that it was a common expression in Texas where he was from, and he did not think much of the phrase.

Reception

Animator Mark Kausler writes, "A Wild Hare marks the appearance of the key element that makes Bugs Bunny's personality coalesce, even though the hare is not named in the film. That element: the underplayed, tough, Brooklyn-Bronx voice that Mel Blanc gave to the rabbit in this cartoon. The humor of the "What's up, doc?" line and the "You know, you look just like a wabbit" routines seem a little familiar to us-those bits were done so much faster and better in later cartoons. However, the personalities of the outrageously stupid Fudd and the resourceful Bugs dominate the story and keep us entertained."

Home media

"A Wild Hare" is available on many home video releases.

  • VHS - Bugs Bunny Collection: Here Comes Bugs (Blue Ribbon)
  • Laserdisc - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Volume 1 (Blue Ribbon title) and Volume 4, (original titles, same as Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3)
  • VHS - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 2: Firsts (Blue Ribbon)
  • DVD - Torrid Zone (Blue Ribbon, USA 1995 Turner print added as a bonus)
  • DVD - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3, through What's Up Doc? A Salute to Bugs Bunny documentary (unrestored, original titles)
  • DVD - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4, through Bugs Bunny Superstar (same as Torrid Zone)
  • DVD - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection (restored, borrowed title card from "A Gander at Mother Goose" with edited production No., original titles)
  • DVD - The Essential Bugs Bunny (restored)
  • DVD - Bugs Bunny Superstar (USA 1995 Turner print added as a bonus)
  • Blu-ray, DVD - Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 2 (restored)
  • Blu-ray - Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection (restored)
  • Streaming - HBO Max (restored)
  • Streaming - Tubi (restored)

Notes

  • The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons but lost to "The Milky Way", another MGM Rudolf Ising production.
  • When the film was reissued as a Blue Ribbon release on June 17, 1944, four years after its original release, it was retitled The Wild Hare. Also, during the "guess who" sequence, the name Cawole Wombard was redubbed, since Lombard died in a plane crash, and was replaced by Bawbawa Stanwyck.
  • In 2016, the film was shortlisted for the 1941 Retro-Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.

See also

  • Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies filmography (1940–1949)
  • List of Bugs Bunny cartoons

References