| Director: | I. Freleng |
| Story: | Warren Foster |
| Animator: | Gerry Chiniquy Arthur Davis Virgil Ross Ted Bonnicksen |
| Layout Artist: | Hawley Pratt |
| Background Artist: | Irv Wyner |
| Starring: | Mel Blanc |
| Music: | Carl Stalling |
| Producer: | Edward Selzer |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. Cartoons |
| Distributor: | Warner Bros. Pictures The Vitaphone Corporation |
| Country: | United States |
| Color Process: | Technicolor |
| Runtime: | 7 minutes |
| Language: | English |
Hyde and Hare is a 1955 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Friz Freleng.[1] The short was released on August 27, 1955, and stars Bugs Bunny.[2] The short is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The cartoon pits Bugs against Dr. Jekyll, who continues to turn into Mr. Hyde. The title is a play on the expression "neither hide nor hair."
Bugs Bunny emerges from his rabbit hole in a city park each morning to receive a carrot from a kind gentleman, amusingly remarking on the routine as his "timid little rabbit" act, acknowledging it as part of his livelihood. Gradually, Bugs expresses a desire to become the gentleman's pet, finding it more convenient for both of them. As they head to the gentleman's home, Bugs refers to him as "Doc".
Inside the house, Bugs goes exploring and finds a room labeled "laboratory". The gentleman, Dr. Jekyll, drinks a potion and turns into Mr. Hyde. Mistaking Hyde for a sick person, Bugs attempts to assist but quickly realizes the danger when Hyde wields an axe. Fleeing for safety, Bugs seeks help from Dr. Jekyll.
The cycle of transformation between Jekyll and Hyde leads to chaotic encounters, with Bugs attempting to shelter Jekyll from his alter ego. Jekyll's efforts to contain Hyde's aggression prove futile. He wants to get rid of the potion but discovers that it's gone; Bugs has drunk it, and returns to his park, but transforms into a monstrous rabbit without realizing it, and terrifies the onlookers. Bugs questions the cause of the commotion around him, chewing on his carrot.
The cartoon appears on the Looney Tunes: After Dark Laserdisc. In 2004, this cartoon was restored and released on the DVD box set. The Warner Archive Blu-Ray of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde includes an upscaled version of the Golden Collection master. You can play Hyde Bugs in the video game.