| Hare Ribbin' | |
| Director: | Robert Clampett |
| Story: | Lou Lilly |
| Animator: | Bob McKimson |
| Music: | Carl W. Stalling |
| Producer: | Leon Schlesinger |
| Studio: | Leon Schlesinger Productions |
| Distributor: | Warner Bros. Pictures The Vitaphone Corporation |
| Color Process: | Technicolor |
| Runtime: | (original theatrical version) (director's cut version) |
| Language: | English |
Hare Ribbin' is a 1944 animated short film in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Robert Clampett and featuring Bugs Bunny.[1] The plot features Bugs' conflict with a red-haired hound dog, whom the rabbit sets out to evade and make a fool of using one-liners, reverse psychology, disguises and other tricks. It was released in theaters by Warner Bros. on June 24, 1944.[2] The title is a pun on "hair ribbon".
It is also the first Warner Bros. cartoon to include Bugs' head in the opening title sequence.
A dog with a Russian accent (reminiscent of comedian Bert Gordon's "Mad Russian" persona), sets out to hunt a rabbit. However, his plans are foiled when he encounters Bugs Bunny, who proceeds to tease and outwit him. During their chase, Bugs uses a humorous tactic involving a radio commercial for Lifebuoy soap to escape the dog's clutches.
The chase leads them to a lake, where the action continues underwater. Bugs continues to outsmart the dog with various antics, including disguising himself as a mermaid and Elmer Fudd. Eventually, Bugs tricks the dog into believing he has died after the dog demands a rabbit sandwich. The dog, overcome with grief, wishes that he was dead too, prompting Bugs to "grant" his wish in a comical twist.
As Bugs dances away, seemingly victorious, the dog unexpectedly sits up, revealing he is still alive, and humorously comments on his misfortune.[3]
Michael S. Shull and David E. Wilt consider it ambiguous if this cartoon contain a World War II-related reference. While underwater, Bugs disguises himself as a mermaid. The dog transforms into a torpedo to pursue "her".[4]
The two alternate versions of the ending were based on the perception of someone that Bugs could not be seen killing another animal. This someone was perhaps a studio administrator.[5]