| Rabbit Transit | |
| Director: | Friz Freleng |
| Story: | Michael Maltese Tedd Pierce |
| Animator: | Manuel Perez Ken Champin Virgil Ross Gerry Chiniquy Morey Reden A. C. Gamer |
| Starring: | Mel Blanc |
| Music: | Carl W. Stalling |
| Producer: | Edward Selzer |
| Layout Artist: | Hawley Pratt |
| Background Artist: | Philip DeGuard |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc. |
| Distributor: | Warner Bros. Pictures The Vitaphone Corporation |
| Color Process: | Technicolor |
| Runtime: | 8:04 |
| Language: | English |
Rabbit Transit is a 1947 Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Friz Freleng.[1] The short was released on May 10, 1947, and features Bugs Bunny and Cecil Turtle.[2] The title is a play on "rapid transit".
Cecil and Bugs had previously raced each other in Tortoise Beats Hare (1941) and Tortoise Wins By a Hare (1943) making this their third and final encounter. Unlike Tortoise Wins by a Hare, this cartoon presumes that Bugs and Cecil have never met before now.
Bugs Bunny engages in a heated debate with Cecil Turtle while relaxing in a steam bath, spurred by their reflection on the classic fable of the tortoise and the hare. This debate escalates into a challenge, prompting Bugs to participate in a race against Cecil, with both parties agreeing to uphold fair play.
However, Cecil unveils an unexpected advantage by revealing his rocket-propelled shell, disrupting Bugs' initial confidence. Undeterred, Bugs employs various tactics to counter Cecil's newfound speed, including attempts to disable the rocket mechanism and construct a deceptive tunnel along the racecourse.
Despite Bugs' efforts, Cecil maintains his lead, prompting Bugs to make a final, desperate sprint to the finish line. In a surprising turn, Cecil graciously relinquishes his advantage, allowing Bugs to claim victory. However, Bugs' triumph is short-lived as he discovers he has violated speed regulations, leading to his apprehension by law enforcement.
Cecil and Bugs had previously raced each other in 1941's Tortoise Beats Hare and 1943's Tortoise Wins By a Hare, making this their third and final encounter. Unlike Tortoise Wins by a Hare, this cartoon presumes that Bugs and Cecil have never met before now.