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 ...
I love Bugs Bunny! My first exposure to classical music.
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Too funny.
😁
😀
This is just so funny. Don’t know why I did not just skip the thread since I really do not like Bugs, sorry. I guess I was feeling grumpy when I made my post.
I had no idea my post would even be noticed, let alone elicit all of these humorous responses.
Saturday morning watching Your Favorites
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Right then Mom’s would fire up the
Noisiest Vacuum Cleaner imagined and if it wasn’t for Your Sting-Ray Bicycle.....
Well ——You Know the Thing !
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Perhaps it Was a Devious Plan all Along.
That “Fire” rendition has cracked me up for years, 😁
Nobody took you seriously. Everything was all in good fun.
Go Hokies!!
There was a whole lot of classical music in the loony tunes cartoons. My grandmother (1909-1993) told me that when those cartoons came out, they were shown in the movie theaters. The cartoons had classical music to entertain the adults and introduce kid to that style of music.
Hassaaaaahhn CHOP!
I think they took away Yosemite Sam’s guns.
Maybe when the nation’s course is finally righted, he will get them back.
Bugs did it for laughs only. Like all the great comics used to do once in awhile. Nothing else in it.
Sorry to break the news to you but Mickey Mouse is the world’s most recognized cartoon character, not Bugs.
I realize that, and I had fun reading their posts.
The real reason I am so healthy at age 86 is daily treadmill walk with wrist weights for 27 minutes, 365 days/year. Even when I am on a cruise ship, they have tons of treadmills.
Great pitcher, his Bugs Bunny curveball was unhittable.
Of course you realize this means war
Yep it doesn’t fit the liberal history agenda.
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