Elmer Fudd is stealthily maneuvering, reciting his iconic mantra, "Shh. Be very, very quiet. I'm hunting wabbits." Positioned near one of Bugs' warrens, he lays a carrot as bait and conceals himself behind foliage. Bugs, in a witty exchange, retrieves the carrot and engages in a playful tussle with Fudd's firearm, resulting in a whimsical transformation of the barrel into a contorted bow.
As Elmer persistently pursues Bugs, the rabbit emerges nonchalantly, brandishing another carrot, and humorously toys with Fudd's perception of rabbit characteristics. This culminates in Bugs revealing his true identity, playfully interacting with Elmer before darting away. Elmer's attempts to ensnare Bugs backfire comically, including mistaking a skunk for his elusive target, leading to a humorous encounter that leaves Elmer red-faced and humbled. Bugs orchestrates an elaborate ruse, feigning demise to toy with Elmer's emotions, before delivering a whimsical comeuppance, leaving the hapless Fudd bewildered and defeated. Elmer storms off, humiliated and lamenting his misadventures hysterically. As Bugs reflects on Elmer's antics, he whimsically serenades with a carrot-turned-fife, marching towards his burrow reminiscent of patriotic imagery.
In a rare promotional broadcast,A Wild Hare was loosely adapted for the radio as a sketch performed byMel Blanc andArthur Q. Bryan on the April 11, 1941, edition ofTheAl Pearce Show. The sketch was followed by a scripted interview withLeon Schlesinger.[4]
Bob Clampett claimed that his inspiration for "creating" Bugs in the interview with Michael Barrier andBugs Bunny Superstar that he was inspired by the filmIt Happened One Night, withClark Gable's character chewing a carrot in a non-chalant stance while talking toClaudette 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 inPorky's Hare Hunt, according toFriz Freleng. Also, Freleng says that Gable's character was not the inspiration, butRoscoe Karns's character, Oscar Shapeley, was the partial inspiration for the version created by Avery.[5][6]
The line "What's up, Doc?" was added by directorTex 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.[7]
"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, (Recreation Rings, same asLooney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3)[8]
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)
When the film was reissued as a Blue Ribbon release on June 17, 1944, four years after its original release, it was retitledThe Wild Hare. Also, during the "guess who" sequence, the nameCawole Wombard was redubbed, since Lombard died in a plane crash, and was replaced byBawbawa Stanwyck.
