Hare Force

Infobox Hollywood cartoon
cartoon_name = Hare Force
series = Merrie Melodies

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caption = Bugs tossed back out in the cold.
director = I. Freleng
story_artist = Tedd Pierce
animator = Manuel Perez
Richard Bickenbach
Ken Champin
Jack Bradbury
Gerry Chiniquy
Virgil Ross
voice_actor = Mel Blanc
Bea Benaderet (uncredited)
musician = Carl Stalling
producer = Leon Schlesinger
distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures
release_date = July 22, 1944 (USA)
color_process = Technicolor
runtime = 7 min (one reel)
movie_language = English
imdb_id = 0036895

Hare Force is a 1944 Warner Bros. cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Friz Freleng and starring Bugs Bunny and an old lady. Although the title is an obvious play on Air Force, the cartoon's plot has nothing to do with the military.

The unit of Friz Freleng was the first unit besides Bob Clampett to use the definite design. Freleng made a slight modfication while this cartoon was in production.

"As Time Goes By" is sung in this short by Sylvester and Bugs at different points.

Plot

On a cold and snowy night, Bugs wangles his way into the good graces, and more importantly, the house, belonging to an old lady (possibly voiced by Bea Benaderet). Sylvester, her "dog", takes an instant dislike to the Bunny, and most of the cartoon is spent with the two tricking each other into going outside the house and getting locked out. Finally they get into a schtick where they are each throwing the other out the front door in turn, in quick succession. The old lady intervenes (out of frame) and tells them "both" to get out, when suddenly "she" is thrown out, startled and indignant. Bugs and the dog have made peace, and are lazing by the fire. Bugs turns to the audience and says, in typical fashion, "Gosh, ain't I a stinker?"

Censorship

* The version of this cartoon that aired on TBS cut the part where as Sylvester the Dog is sobbing over melting the snowman likeness of Bugs, Bugs says to Sylvester "You're really in a jam now, Doc. It's the hot seat for you, sure," that expression being macabre slang for execution by electric chair.

Availability

This cartoon is available on the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection" DVD set (, disc one) uncut.

External links

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