| Tortoise Beats Hare | |
| Director: | Fred Avery |
| Story: | Dave Monahan |
| Animator: | Charles McKimson Robert McKimson Rev Chaney Sid Sutherland Rod Scribner Virgil Ross[1] |
| Background Artist: | John Didrik Johnsen |
| Starring: | Mel Blanc |
| Music: | Carl W. Stalling |
| Producer: | Leon Schlesinger |
| Studio: | Leon Schlesinger Productions |
| Distributor: | Warner Bros. The Vitaphone Corp. |
| Color Process: | Technicolor |
| Language: | English |
Tortoise Beats Hare is a Merrie Melodies short film directed by Tex Avery and released on March 15, 1941.[2] [3] The short, loosely based on Aesop's fable The Tortoise and the Hare, stars Bugs Bunny and, in his first appearance, Cecil Turtle.
Bugs Bunny munches away on a carrot while perusing the opening film credits, albeit with comical mispronunciations. Expressing disdain upon encountering the title of the cartoon, Bugs embarks on a furious tirade, dismantling the credits in a fit of frustration. His attention soon turns to Cecil Turtle, with whom he enters into a high-stakes wager of ten dollars on a race . Cecil, employing cunning strategy, enlists the aid of his turtle cousins to impersonate him at various points along the racecourse, thus maintaining a deceptive lead over Bugs. Despite Bugs' initial confidence and commanding lead, he finds himself outwitted by Cecil's clever ploy. Convinced of his victory as he crosses the finish line, Bugs is surprised to find Cecil awaiting him as the apparent winner.
Grudgingly conceding defeat, Bugs pays Cecil his wager, reflecting a mixture of anger and bewilderment. However, a sudden realization dawns upon Bugs as he ponders the possibility of being duped. Turning back, he is met with Cecil and his cousins, each holding a share of the winnings.