| The Wabbit Who Came to Supper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | I. Freleng |
| Story by | Michael Maltese |
| Produced by | Leon Schlesinger |
| Music by | Carl W. Stalling |
| Animation by | Richard Bickenbach |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures The Vitaphone Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 8 minutes |
| Language | English |
The Wabbit Who Came to Supper is a 1942Merrie Melodies cartoon featuringBugs Bunny andElmer Fudd.[1] It was released on March 28, 1942, and directed byFriz Freleng.[2]
Elmer Fudd, initially in pursuit of Bugs Bunny with his hunting dogs, finds himself entangled in a peculiar situation upon receiving a telegram informing him of a substantial inheritance from his uncle Louie. The telegram stipulates that Elmer must refrain from harming animals, particularly rabbits, to inherit the promised sum of $3 million (equivalent to $32,530,480.43 in 2023).
This directive sets the stage for a series of comedic exchanges between Elmer and Bugs as they navigate the terms of the inheritance. Despite Elmer's initial attempts to capture Bugs, the reminder of his uncle's conditions prompts him to release the rabbit and return home. However, Bugs' irreverent behavior and mischievous antics soon disrupt Elmer's attempts at peace, leading to a comedic struggle for control within the household. Bugs' inventive schemes further complicate matters, including feigning illness to manipulate Elmer's sympathies and exploiting his fears of losing the inheritance. The dynamic between the two characters oscillates between moments of genuine concern and comedic absurdity, as Bugs continually outwits Elmer with his quick thinking and resourcefulness.
Later on, Elmer receives a letter from Uncle Louie's attorney that Uncle Louie has died and Elmer himself has inherited $3 million. However, he discovers that the inheritance has been depleted due to taxes and legal fees, leaving him owing $1.98 to Uncle Louie's attorney. Furious at having to put up with Bugs's shenanigans for nothing and with nothing left to lose, Elmer chases Bugs around the house. In a final twist, a postman delivers a giant Easter egg to Elmer, unleashing a horde of miniature Bugs Bunnys who wreak havoc on the scene.
This short is one of several pre-August 1948[3] WB cartoon shorts that lapsed into thepublic domain due toUnited Artists failing to renew the copyright in time. Despite being in the public domain, the film's usage is restricted as a derivative work of the still copyrightedA Wild Hare, which will enter the public domain in 2036.
The title of the short is a reference to the1942 Warner Brothers film version of the 1939George S. Kaufman Broadway comedyThe Man Who Came to Dinner, in which an overbearing house-guest threatens to take over the lives of a small-town family.
Being in the public domain,The Wabbit Who Came to Supper was featured on several low-budget VHS releases of public domain cartoons. (The use of "Angel in Disguise" and the Bugs Bunny character, both of which remain under copyright, have complicated the short's public domain status.)
On the 2005Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3 DVD release,The Wabbit Who Came to Supper is presented in a restored unedited version with a commentary track provided by animation historianJerry Beck and Warner Brothers' inkerMartha Sigall, one of about 40 uncredited inkers and painters who labored on theLooney Tunes shorts. 1995 Turner Dubbed Version OnCartoon Network USA AndBoomerang USA
The USA Dubbed Print Replaces 1941-1955 MWRA With The 1938-1941 MWRA Over Dubbed Ending Card And The EU Dubbed Print Keeps 1941-1955 MWRA
| Preceded by | Bugs Bunny Cartoons 1942 | Succeeded by |