A Wild Hare Explained
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]
Plot
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?
- Bob Clampett claimed that his inspiration for "creating" Bugs in the interview with Michael Barrier and Bugs Bunny Superstar that he 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.[5] [6]
- 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.[7]
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, (Recreation Rings, same as Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3)[8]
- 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 -, What's Up Doc? A Salute to Bugs Bunny documentary (unrestored, borrowed title card from "A Gander at Mother Goose" with edited production No., original titles)
- DVD -, through Bugs Bunny Superstar (same as Torrid Zone)
- DVD - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection (restored)
- DVD - The Essential Bugs Bunny (restored)[9]
- DVD - Bugs Bunny Superstar (USA 1995 Turner print added as a bonus)
- Blu-ray, DVD - (restored)[10]
- Blu-ray - Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection (restored)
- Streaming - HBO Max (restored)
Notes
- The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons[11] 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.
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Scott . Keith . Cartoon Voices of the Golden Age, Vol. 2 . 3 October 2022 . BearManor Media . 84. en.
- Book: Barrier, Michael. Michael Barrier
. Michael Barrier. Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age. Oxford, UK. Oxford University Press. 2003. 9780195167290. 361.
- Adamson, Joe (1990). Bugs Bunny: 50 Years and Only One Grey Hare. New York: Henry Holt.
- Web site: Original script. Al Pearce Show. tobaccodocuments.org. April 11, 1942. June 26, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100730091748/http://tobaccodocuments.org/rjr/514591605-1632.html. 30 July 2010. dead.
- http://www.filmsite.org/itha.html It Happened One Night film review by Tim Dirks
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190808075659/http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/10/unadulterated-hogwash.html Letters of Note: UNADULTERATED HOGWASH
- Adamson, Joe (1975). Tex Avery: King of Cartoons, New York: Da Capo Press.
- Web site: Merrie Melodies - A Wild Hare (1940) - Video Dailymotion . 2015-02-24 . 2015-05-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150527012350/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4053d . dead .
- Web site: The Essential Bugs Bunny . Animatedviews.com. 20 December 2021.
- Web site: "Looney Tunes Platinum Collection Volume 2" Available on DVD and Blu-ray October 16, 2012. 1 August 2012. Cartoonbrew.com. 20 December 2021.
- Web site: 1940 Academy Awards. Infoplease.com . 2007-09-20.
