Every Bugs Bunny Ever: Porky’s Hare Hunt (1938)

2023 marks the 85th Anniversary of Bug Bunny’s first animated appearance in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” Debuting originally as Happy Rabbit, Bugs eventually became one of the most iconic animated characters of all time. In honor of the landmark anniversary, we’re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We’re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too.

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.

Porky’s Hare Hunt (1938)
Directed by: Ben Hardaway
Produced by: Leon Schlesinger
Music by: Carl W. Stalling
Animation by: Volney White

In 1938, Porky Pig was considered the mascot for Warner Animation, and Merrie Melodies. He’s one of the forefathers of cartoon mascots, the one who always gave us that famous outros from Merrie Melodies cartoons where he proclaims “That’s All Folks!” with his famous stutter. It would only make sense that the debut of Bugs Bunny would be in a short featuring Porky Pig. Originally known as Happy Rabbit, Bugs was created and cultivated by a slew of people including Ben Hardaway, Cal Dalton, and Charles Thorson initially.

It took a while for the more recognizable form of Bugs Bunny to appear, but here he’s intriguing in his proto-form as a white rabbit with a black nose, and a wild, almost maniacal energy. Proto-Bugs’ first appearance sets up a lot of what would become his milieu. This includes taunting the bad guy, using props against his enemies, often talking his way out of situations, and the famous Groucho Marx proclamation “Of course you realize this means war.” You can see a lot of Bugs’ iconic personality embedded within the seams, but it’d be a while before Happy became Bugs Bunny. The set up is also basically Bugs Bunny minding his business, eating carrots, and trouble comes finding him. In this instance it’s hunter Porky and his hunting dog, the former of whom who’d later be replaced by folks like Elmer Fudd, Wil E. Coyote, and Curt and Punkin’head Martin (from “Hillbilly Hare”).

They were more deserving of being called adversaries, as Porky as always something of a protagonist rather than an enemy or villain. “Porky’s Hare Hunt” is a remake of 1937’s “Porky’s Duck Hunt,” a Daffy starring short where there is a lot more set up and reasoning for Porky to be hunting animals. He’s also less an adversary and more a hapless hunter who happens across a wacky duck. Porky just works better as a straight man to Daffy, as he’s never really what you’d call a bad guy. Happy Rabbit/Proto-Bugs is voiced by Mel Blanc, and without coincidence sounds a lot like Woody Woodpecker, down to his iconic laugh.

This is set to pre-date the very first appearance of Woody Woodpecker, where Blanc voiced the character and set the way for his manic energy and synonymous laugh. Where Happy Rabbit/Proto-Bugs is making his first appearance, a lot of his personality is still being molded, but he’s still a fun central character with a lot of potential. Despite being a remake, “Porky’s Hare Hunt” is still a neat introduction that tests the waters of what Bugs can bring to the medium. The short has been reproduced various times, even colored and re-colored, especially for re-airings on cable channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network..

Find out what we think are the BEST and WORST Bugs Bunny shorts of all time!