| From Hare to Heir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Friz Freleng |
| Story by | Friz Freleng |
| Produced by | John Burton, Sr. (uncredited) |
| Starring | Mel Blanc |
| Music by | Milt Franklyn |
| Animation by | Gerry Chiniquy Art Davis Virgil Ross |
| Layouts by | Hawley Pratt |
| Backgrounds by | Tom O'Loughlin |
| Color process | Technicolor |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6 minutes 31 seconds |
| Country | United States |
From Hare to Heir is a 1960Warner Bros.Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon short directed and written byFriz Freleng.[1] The short was released on September 3, 1960, and starsBugs Bunny andYosemite Sam.[2]
In the confines of Bedlam Manor, Yosemite Sam, Duke of Yosemite, discovers his dire financial situation, attributed to his uncle, the King, discontinuing his allowance due to frequent displays of anger. Sam punishes his servant for not having the books balanced. In a twist of fate, Bugs Bunny arrives at Sam's doorstep, offering a substantial sum of £1 million under a peculiar condition: Sam must maintain composure continuously to retain the entirety of the gift. Any lapse in temper results in a deduction, the severity determined by Bugs.
Bugs assumes the role of an irritating guest, testing Sam's patience through various antics. Despite initial tolerance, Sam succumbs to frustration, incurring deductions. His attempts to alleviate stress only exacerbate the situation, prompting him to seek solace outdoors. The provocation persists, with Bugs disrupting Sam's rest with raucous piano playing and relentless demands.
Realizing that he won't have anything left if the deductions keep up, Sam decides to kill Bugs and make it look like an accident. In a bid to rid himself of Bugs, Sam devises a scheme, inadvertently falling victim to his own trap. Despite repeated setbacks, Sam ultimately demonstrates restraint, subjecting himself to further indignities to prove his newfound temperance. Bugs, amused by Sam's efforts, reveals Sam had blown all of the promised reward, leaving Sam to confront his folly.
This cartoon was included in the 1983 compilation filmDaffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island as Sam's wish.
From Hare to Heir is available, uncensored and uncut, on theLooney Tunes Super Stars' Bugs Bunny: Hare Extraordinaire DVD. However, it was cropped to widescreen.[3]
In 2020, the cartoon was remastered and restored to full screen in theBugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-Ray.
| Preceded by | Bugs Bunny Cartoons 1960 | Succeeded by |