Hare-um Scare-um (1939)

Wonderful character development!

Sorry, this movie sucks

Best movie ever!

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Many great cartoon characters developed overtime and had more than one person involved in creation. Contrary to popular belief, Bugs Bunny was not done by a solo creator. However, the origin of the rabbit can be traced to Ben Hardaway's unit in 1937. Reportedly, he decided to put "that crazy duck in a rabbit suit". The first two films were favorably received by audiences.The influence of Daffy is very evident in these early shorts. The fairly recent shorts PORKY'S DUCK HUNT (1937) and DAFFY DUCK & EGGHEAD (1938) (Hardaway is credited as a writer) created the trope of a crazy prey heckling its predator. The model sheets for this cartoon are labeled Bugs' Bunny (Ben Hardaway's nickname was Bugs). While Hardaway has never been in high regard compared to his contemporaries, this single film has been his claim to fame in the WB cartoons. It's also one of the greatest ironies in cartoon history.Most fans know about the lost ending that was cut before the initial theatrical release. The greatest mystery now is why the ending was cut, as the edit seems arbitrary. It also raises another bigger question, What other cartoons, and films in general, have this kind of long lost footage?Shortly after this short was released, Hardaway went to work at the Walter Lantz studio, where he had a major hand in the creation of Woody Woodpecker. Truly a key artist in the Golden Age of Animation.This is a key cartoon in Bugs Bunny's filmography that's a must see.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.While not one of my favourite cartoons of all time and never will be, 'Hare-Um Scare-Um' is very well made and very entertaining. It is interesting to see a proto-version of Bugs Bunny before Bugs Bunny became famous and for having a hunter who is like a more menacing version of Elmer. There's not much wrong actually in 'Hare-Um Scare-Um', it is slight on story and there's not much original in it. Having said that, there is so much to recommend.However, the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and the colours are vibrant, complete with some great expressions for particularly the rabbit.Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.The rabbit is no Bugs, not as interesting in personality, but the character drives the action to fun effect. The hunter is suitably antagonistic and fun, there are many very funny moments (with the ending especially being a treat) and everything concerning the meat entertains and informs. Timing is lively. Mel Blanc's versatility as ever shines impeccably.Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

. . . irate American citizen, taxpayer, and Tea Partier "John Sourpuss" growls in response to newspaper headlines about the U.S. National Butchers Union imposing a 33% price increase on beef and pork so that they can earn a "Living Wage." Bugs Bunny, still cackling like Heckle and Jeckle during his "Happy Rabbit" Daffy Hare infancy, naively believes that Government Rules and Regulations will save him from harm in HARE-UM SCARE-UM. Sadly for Mr. Hoppy, he has not been heeding the Looney Tuners many prognostications concerning the Advent of Trumpism. These Flat Earthers would put the U.S. on the primrose path to IDIOCRACY on Jan. 20, 2017, by eliminating ALL government regulations, inspectors, and regulators. As choice cuts of Mad Cow Disease filled America's Meat Racks, Rich People Party Operatives giggled at the thought of a U.S. 2020 Electorate even DUMBER than that of 2016 (with most voter brains becoming holier than a wedge of Swiss cheese). No wonder "Happy Rabbit" sobers up to become the cynical "Bugs Bunny" once he realizes the havoc the Trumpsters such as "John Sourpuss" will wreak on a deluded America.

The current food crisis (or whatever to call it) in the world makes the otherwise goofy "Hare-um Scare-um" rather relevant. When a hunter can't buy food at the store, he and his dog go hunting. Needless to say, they come across a manic rabbit who makes their lives a living hell. Talking like Woody Woodpecker and behaving like Daffy Duck, this hare is a really wacky one! As the anonymous bunny affirms: "You don't have to be crazy to do this...but it sure helps!" Obviously, this cartoon holds a special historical significance as one of four cartoons (the others were "Porky's Hare Hunt", "Prest-o Change-o" and "Elmer's Candid Camera") starring the rabbit who eventually morphed into Bugs Bunny. Even if you don't know that the leporid here would soon become a street-smart, wise-cracking dude with a Brooklyn-Bronx accent, the cartoon is still a total hoot. But the fact that this nutty rabbit soon evolved into the Groucho Marx of rabbits just goes to show the importance (not to mention the hilarity) of this cartoon, and Mel Blanc's talent with voices. I truly recommend it.PS: director Cal Dalton ran Friz Freleng's unit from 1937-1939. Freleng had moved to MGM for a more lucrative job, and so Cal Dalton and Ben Hardaway took over his unit. When MGM canceled the series that Freleng had been directing, Warner Bros. rehired him ("You Ought to Be in Pictures" loosely alluded to his experience).