Sometimes Bugs’ cartoons reflected more of the time period in which they came out than we would like, or were a little too violent. May you live forever – despite all the Elmer Fudd’s, Yosemite Sam’s and corporate Tasmanian Devil’s in your way.
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It was July 27, 1940, that Bugs made his film debut in A Wild Hare. Instead of wacky, Bugs would be casual in his smart-alecky behavior. Once in an interview, Ren and Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi put it best when describing the difference between Disney and Warner Brothers when he correctly assessed that where Disney was like tepid Americana-styled pop music, Warners was more likened to soul or jazz. He had a different animator back then – Virgil Ross – and hadn’t been christened with his catchy name yet, but that cartoon is officially regarded as the famous bunny’s first, Time reported. Bugs also became a mainstay of Saturday morning programming. On the work sheet, they referred to the cartoon as Bugs’ Bunny.
But really, what more do we need to say about this cartoon icon?
At a screening of “A Wild Hare“, audience reaction to Bugs’ line, “What’s up, doc?” was so strong, it instantly became his catch-phrase. How did he get his name?
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Bugs Bunny has appeared in Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes shorts, the film Space Jam, and on countless items of merchandise around the world.
