Lighter Than Hare

Lighter Than Hare
Lighter Than Hare
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; Arthur Davis; Virgil Ross
Color process	Technicolor
Production; company	Warner Bros. Cartoons
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	December 17, 1960;
Running time	7 minutes
Language	English

Lighter Than Hare is a 1960 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies animated short written and directed by Friz Freleng.^[1] The short was released on December 17, 1960, and stars Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam.^[2] The title is a play on the phrase lighter than air. It was one of three Bugs cartoons that Freleng both wrote and directed, the others being From Hare to Heir (1960) and Devil's Feud Cake (1963).

Plot

The cartoon unfolds with the credits set against the backdrop of outer space, transitioning to Earth's Pacific Northwest. In this setting, a deserted Highway 17 serves as the stage for a flying saucer's descent, observed by Yosemite Sam of Outer Space from within. Bugs Bunny, amidst contemplation of relocating due to deteriorating surroundings, unknowingly becomes the target of Sam's extraterrestrial mission.

Sam dispatches Robot ZX29B to capture Bugs, but the robot's ineptitude leads to comedic misadventures. Despite successive failures, Sam's resolve remains unwavering, culminating in his personal pursuit of Bugs. Through a series of elaborate traps and confrontations, Bugs eludes Sam's advances, showcasing his ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Sam's escalating efforts, from deploying a Demolition Squad to piloting an indestructible tank, are met with unforeseen setbacks and humorous outcomes. Bugs outwits Sam at every turn, employing clever tactics and exploiting Sam's vulnerabilities to evade capture. Bugs then orchestrates a daring escape, culminating in a climactic showdown between the two adversaries. Through cunning and trickery, Bugs outmaneuvers Sam, ultimately leading to the demise of Sam's grand schemes.

In the aftermath, as Sam departs Earth with his mission seemingly accomplished, Bugs revels in his victory, enjoying the spectacle from afar. The cartoon concludes with a comedic twist, as Bugs tunes into a radio broadcast.

Cast

Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Robot ZX29B, Robot Rabbit, Robot Ferret, Alien Potentate

Home media

Lighter Than Hare is available uncut on the Looney Tunes Super Stars' Bugs Bunny: Hare Extraordinaire DVD. However, it was cropped to widescreen.

Lighter Than Hare will be re-released on the upcoming Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 4 Blu-Ray set in its original 4:3 aspect ratio.

References

^ Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 329. ISBN 0-8050-0894-2.
^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 60–62. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

External links

Lighter Than Hare at Internet Movie Database

Preceded by From Hare to Heir	Bugs Bunny Cartoons 1960	Succeeded by The Abominable Snow Rabbit

[Beck-1] Beck, Jerry; Friedwald, Will (1989). Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Co. p. 329. ISBN 0-8050-0894-2.

[2] Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 60–62. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

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