A Wild Hare

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A Wild Hare
A Wild Hare Lobby Card.PNG
Lobby card
Directed by Fred Avery
Story byRich Hogan
Produced by Leon Schlesinger
Starring Mel Blanc
Arthur Q. Bryan
Marion Darlington [1]
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Virgil Ross
Color process Technicolor
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
The Vitaphone Corporation
Release date
  • July 27, 1940 (1940-07-27)
Running time
8 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Wild Hare is a 1940 American animated comedy short film directed by Tex Avery, produced by Leon Schlesinger, and distributed by Warner Bros. 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. [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Fudd looking for Bugs. FirstBugs.jpg
Fudd looking for Bugs.

Elmer Fudd 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. As Bugs reflects on Elmer's antics, he whimsically serenades with a carrot-turned-fife, marching towards his burrow reminiscent of patriotic imagery.

Elmer eventually departs, lamenting his misadventures, while Bugs, ever the mischievous trickster, saunters off.

Wild Hare on the radio

In a rare promotional broadcast, A Wild Hare was loosely adapted for the radio as a sketch performed by Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan on the April 11, 1941, edition of The Al Pearce Show. The sketch was followed by a scripted interview with Leon Schlesinger. [4]

What's up, Doc?

Home media

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

Notes

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Scott, Keith (3 October 2022). Cartoon Voices of the Golden Age, Vol. 2. BearManor Media. p. 84.
  2. ↑ Barrier, Michael (2003), Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age, Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-516729-0
  3. ↑ Adamson, Joe (1990). Bugs Bunny: 50 Years and Only One Grey Hare. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN   978-0-8050-1190-6
  4. ↑ "Original script". Al Pearce Show. tobaccodocuments.org. April 11, 1942. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  5. ↑ It Happened One Night film review by Tim Dirks, Filmsite.org.
  6. ↑ Letters of Note: UNADULTERATED HOGWASH
  7. ↑ Adamson, Joe (1975). Tex Avery: King of Cartoons, New York: Da Capo Press. OCLC   59807115
  8. ↑ "Merrie Melodies - A Wild Hare (1940) - Video Dailymotion". Archived from the original on 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2015-02-24.
  9. ↑ "The Essential Bugs Bunny". Animatedviews.com. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  10. ↑ ""Looney Tunes Platinum Collection Volume 2" Available on DVD and Blu-ray October 16, 2012". Cartoonbrew.com. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "1940 Academy Awards". Infoplease.com. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
Preceded by
None - first short
 Bugs Bunny Cartoons
1940		Succeeded by
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