A Wild Hare is a 1940 American animated comedy short film directed by Fred Avery. It was released on July 27, 1940. It is part of the Merrie Melodies series, the twelfth cartoon to feature Elmer Fudd and the fourth cartoon to feature a character later to be named Bugs Bunny. The film defined Bugs' personality and Brooklyn-Bronx voice, previously used as a generic humorous voice in Avery's cartoons. It was re-released as a "Blue Ribbon" reissue in 1944 as The Wild Hare.
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.
Elmer Fudd hunts for rabbits and finds a rabbit hole, using a carrot to lure him. The rabbit uses his fingers to detect his surroundings, realizing that Elmer can be quickly fooled. He provokes Elmer by tying his shotgun into a ribbon. He emerges from his hole as Elmer digs one and converses with Elmer, who does not recognize him as a rabbit despite knowing its physical characteristics. The rabbit literally has to spell it out to Elmer to have him realize that the rabbit is talking to him. He then uses a skunk to lure Elmer; who entertains the skunk with his stupidity as he is unable to recognize a rabbit again.
Elmer finally gets his hands on the rabbit and attempts to shoot him. His mercy and poor aim inadvertently leads to the rabbit exploiting it to fake his death, though the rabbit also considerately moves aside to avoid the casualty of nearby birds. Convinced that he has killed the rabbit and is unable to face the consequences of the killing, Elmer is kicked from behind by the rabbit, humbling him as he runs away humiliated. Bugs comments on Elmer's stupidity as he walks into his hole.
Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny / Skunk (uncredited)
Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd (uncredited)
Marion Darlington as Birds Whistling (uncredited)
Bob Clampett claimed in the interview with Michael Barrier and Bugs Bunny: Superstar that his depiction of Bugs 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.
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.
Animator Mark Kausler writes, "A Wild Hare marks the appearance of the key element that makes Bugs Bunny's personality coalesce, even though the hare is not named in the film. That element: the underplayed, tough, Brooklyn-Bronx voice that Mel Blanc gave to the rabbit in this cartoon. The humor of the "What's up, doc?" line and the "You know, you look just like a wabbit" routines seem a little familiar to us-those bits were done so much faster and better in later cartoons. However, the personalities of the outrageously stupid Fudd and the resourceful Bugs dominate the story and keep us entertained."
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, (original titles, same as Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3)
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 - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3, through What's Up Doc? A Salute to Bugs Bunny documentary (unrestored, original titles)
DVD - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4, through Bugs Bunny: Superstar (same as Torrid Zone)
DVD - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection (restored, borrowed opening rings and shield from "A Gander at Mother Goose" with edited production No., original titles)