I am Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht.
-PJ
Posted on 07/27/2026 10:59:57 AM PDT by Morgana
Bugs Bunny Starred in His First Film on July 27, 1940
Although Warner Bros. had previously showcased rabbits in their cartoons, it wasn’t until July 27, 1940, when The Wild Hare short film hit cinemas, that Bugs Bunny officially starred in his first project. According to Time, animator Chuck Jones credits legendary animator Tex Avery for creating a witty and savvy rabbit. Now as far as the rabbit’s name, that’s slightly debatable.
Mel Blanc, who voiced Bugs Bunny, claims he came up with the name as homage to an animator named Ben “Bugs” Hardaway. Blanc professed that the studio was ready to settle on Happy Rabbit prior to his suggestion. The alternative origin story for Bugs Bunny’s name is that designer Charles Thorson drew up a sketch of a rabbit per Hardaway’s request, and Thorson just captioned it, “Bugs’ Bunny.”
Back to The Wild Hare short, it features Bugs Bunny outwitting a determined Elmer Fudd, who tries his hardest to hunt and capture the rabbit. You can watch the full short film for free here.
Is Bugs Bunny Really the Greatest Cartoon Character Ever?
What makes Bugs Bunny so legendary is that he’s managed to remain relevant in pop culture for over eight decades. Even if you were too young to watch him in The Wild Hare or his subsequent cartoons when they first aired or have never seen them during syndication, there’s a good chance you’ve seen him in Tiny Toon Adventures, Space Jam, or Space Jam: A New Legacy. Heck, even if you haven’t seen Bugs Bunny in anything on screen, you likely recognize him on clothing and various apparel. And let’s not forget, “What’s Up Doc?” is one of the most well-known catch phrases ever.
(Excerpt) Read more at mensjournal.com ...
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Elmer Fudd is my guy.
He reminds me of a preacher we had at summer camp who told us every morning, “Awight evwybody. Six am. Wise and shine. Don’t foget to pway fo the missionawies in Pewu.”
I am Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht.
-PJ
Bugs Bunny was the first cross-dressing transgender character on the screen. Never gave it any thought as a kid, thought it was funny.
Who’s laughing now?
Abb had it right. With a handle like Bigg Red, he has to be Yosemite Sam.
Add on Speedy Gonzalez, whoo.
I never hear that music without remembering that.
Once visited Salt Lake City and went to the Tabernacle.
You could hear a pin drop. They demonstrated it.
Then the guy played the organ and played the music. You could see a lot of us in the audience mouthing “kill the wabbit”.
One of the best decisions I ever made was to go and see Mel Blanc speaking and then meet him at nearby Radford University when I was at VT in ‘80 or ‘81.
Men’s journal or boy’s journal?
I hate Bugs Bunny.
Of course you know, This Means War!
Can we take the word “iconic” out and shoot it????
8 minutes of Joy !
A Real Cartoon....
What A Refreshing moment.
.
So I’m 70....
Had Ya Fooled huh?
Anything Tex Avery was the best...
My all-time favorite cartoon.
(Unfortunately I can’t find a complete version)
Rock-A-Bye Bear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjxRYSFL4f8
Elmer Fudd is my guy.
He did a great cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vT-VaMXsAw
Doesn’t come up.
You're despicable
Since I was just a small kid when Bugs Bunny was introduced, I got to enjoy him all those wonderful years. It was great!
Well, “KILL THE WABBIT, KILL THE WABBIT, KILL THE WABBIT.....”
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