{"id":39408,"date":"2023-05-02T00:03:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T04:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=39408"},"modified":"2023-04-23T11:22:23","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T15:22:23","slug":"every-bugs-bunny-ever-the-hare-brained-hypnotist-1942","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/02\/every-bugs-bunny-ever-the-hare-brained-hypnotist-1942\/","title":{"rendered":"Every Bugs Bunny Ever: The Hare-Brained Hypnotist (1942)"},"content":{"rendered":"

2023 marks the 85th<\/sup> Anniversary of Bug Bunny\u2019s first animated appearance in 1938’s \u201cPorky\u2019s Hare Hunt.\u201d 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\u2019re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We\u2019re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too. <\/em><\/p>\n

Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.<\/em>\"\"<\/a>The Hare-Brained Hypnotist (1942)
\n<\/strong>Directed by Friz Freleng
\nWritten by Michael Maltese
\nMusic by Carl W. Stalling
\nAnimation by Phil Monroe\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

One of the interesting things about \u201cThe Hare-Brained Hypnotist\u201d is that I\u2019ve often confused it for another Bugs Bunny short. Often times whenever I see this, I expect Bugs to eventually take on the clothing of Elmer Fudd, but that\u2019s actually \u201cHare Brush\u201d which would be released in 1955 (also a short that would be constantly played on \u201cThe Bugs and Daffy Show\u201d). Both shorts, to be honest, aren\u2019t very good when all is said and done. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s the gimmick, or the plot twist or whatnot, but the premise for both shorts are pretty thin in laughs and gags. The latter being the lesser of the pair, but that\u2019s beside the point.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s true, though, that we at least return to the classic Elmer Fudd design that would become his dominant design for the rest of the Looney Tunes cinematic universe. Elmer Fudd appears now in full hunter regalia and with his hunting rifle. This time though he\u2019s considering a new way to hunt, that way involving hypnotism. The set up involves Elmer sitting in the woods and reading \u201cStalking Wild Game,\u201d a book about hypnosis and he manages to demonstrate his skill for it by hypnotizing a wild bear that crosses his path. His powers are so good that, in a funny twist, allows the bear to think it\u2019s a bird, prompting it to fly off.<\/p>\n

Elmer then turns his attention to Bugs Bunny who is hiding in his hole innocently. From here on in, the short goes exactly as you\u2019d think it would, but it also has some neat turns here and there. The moment Elmer begins focusing his attention to Bugs, he doesn\u2019t make it easy. There\u2019s a really funny moment where Elmer is in Bugs\u2019 hole sending him commands and Bugs rises up from his hole, only for us to see a balloon in his place. Elmer is so involved in the hypnotic commands that he doesn\u2019t notice he\u2019s floating away with the fake head. I\u2019m also a fan of Bugs\u2019 addressing to the audience: \u201cHeh. Dracula!\u201d as Elmer attempts to put him under his spell.<\/p>\n

Elmer eventually loses his temper crying about not able to hypnotize Bugs, and Bugs being a good sport allows Elmer to put him under the spell. But after a duel of stare downs, Bugs hypnotizes Elmer and turns him in to a bunny. Unaware of the results of this reversal, Elmer becomes something of a \u201cpseudo-Bugs\u201d and gets the upper hand. This ends with Bugs becoming victim to Elmer\u2019s gags, including a tug of war with Elmer\u2019s hunting rifle. There\u2019s yet another breaking of the fourth wall where Bugs ponders if Elmer is making of fool of him as he chews on a carrot.<\/p>\n

Suddenly two extra hands slowly appear with carrots prompting Bugs to think aloud while his mouth is stuffed with extra carrot. It\u2019s a funny gag that sees something of a role reversal that would eventually be somewhat rare in future Bugs shorts. \u201cHare Brained Hypnotist\u201d ends on a wacky note as Elmer wanders off after another duel of hypnosis, and assuming to have come out normal, Bugs flies declaring “I’m overdue at the airport! I’m the B-19!” It\u2019s a clever final note on what is just an okay short all around.<\/p>\n

\u201cHare Brained Hypnotist\u201d is thin on plot and thin on the gags, but it still pulls in some solid chuckles, as well as some very good animation from Phil Monroe. Not to mention it\u2019s good to have good old Elmer back in rare form.<\/p>\n

Find out what we think are the BEST<\/a> and WORST<\/a> Bugs Bunny shorts of all time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n