Hillbilly Hare (1950) User Reviews

Oh those darn Hillbillies!

[TheOtherFool · 7/10 · 10 June 2004]

Banned cartoon this time takes a swing at those southern red-neck hill- billies, who talk funny and aren't too clever.

Bugs is being chased by two of these hill-billies, who happen to be brothers and are looking for some animals to kill.

The first part of this short film is nothing special, but in the second part things all burst out into a song, sung in part by Bugs and it involves a great dance by the three characters. When Bugs takes over the song he makes the hill-billies do these crazy things like dancing with pigs and stuff like that. Very good song, check it out!

Great fun, in particular in it's second part: 7/10.

The Singing Hare Is The Highlight Here

[ccthemovieman-1 · 7/10 · 11 June 2007]

Bugs Bunny is on vacation in the Ozarks. "So quiet, so peaceful," he sighs, moments before he feels a shotgun against his cheeks. Elmer Fudd? Nope, some stereotype hillbilly with the big hat, jeans and bare feet, ready to blast our furry friend to Kingdom Come. Of course, he's a feuding" redneck, a "Martin" fighting the "Coys."

After dealing with that bozo, Bugs runs into his brother "Pumpkinhead Martin," who is even dumber than his brother. Soon, both brothers are after Bugs.

The action switches suddenly after Bugs puts a plan into effect. He disguises himself as an attractive woman, with the lipstick, short dress and sexy voice....and the two boobs (the men) are hooked, following Miss Bunny around the dance hall.

Bugs, of course, hams it up with other things, such as a square-dance band and other things, all with the purpose, of course, to do what he does best: make his foes look stupid and fail in their attempts to shoot him! I can't blame him for that.

This was okay; nothing super. The humor was more of the stupid variety than clever since Bugs was dealing with two total morons. The music - the final three minutes of this cartoon - might have been the best part, and Bugs was good as a violinist and singer! He is one multi- talented hare!

A nice musical number

[rbverhoef · 7/10 · 16 August 2004]

'Hillbilly Hare' is a Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs is on vacation in the Ozarks. He meets two hillbillies, not that smart, with long beards. They are brothers and looking for some animals to shoot. Of course Bugs talks a lot before the two hillbillies will take a shot at him and of course he will not be the one who gets shot. It is the usual stuff here.

The second part though is terrific. Bugs dresses up as a lady and asks the two brothers for a dance. The lyrics tell the dancing characters what to do so at one moment Bugs pulls the plug from the juke-box and takes over the singing. Now the lyrics make the two hillbillies do some crazy stuff which is pretty funny. The song is very good too, I must admit!

Bow to your partner, bow to the gentleman across the hall...

[Popeye-8 · 10/10 · 22 December 2000]

Ah, one for the time capsules.

HILLBILLY HARE is likely the most violent cartoon ever created. But, the violence is not the brainless "Tom and Jerry" variety, despite the fact that the "do-gooders" lump this in with that garbage.

The violence that permeates H-H is motivated, timed and distinctly mired in hilarity. I simply cannot square-dance (not that I really ever WANTED TO) because of the fear I'll latch into the "grab a fencepost, hold it tight; whallop your partner with all your might" cadence.

Without a doubt, the removal of this cartoon from television (the thought police even keep it of of CARTOON NETWORK) badly hurt the nation's sense of absurd humor. Thank God for the video!

The square dance alone is one of the greatest animated comedy routines of all time

[phantom_tollbooth · 10/10 · 3 November 2008]

Robert McKimson's 'Hillbilly Hare' is probably the director's best loved short and I'd have to concur with the majority. 'Hillbilly Hare' is an absolutely fantastic piece of work and one of the few Robert McKimson cartoons which really stands up alongside the best work of his contemporaries. Pitting Bugs against a couple of stereotype hillbillies, 'Hillbilly Hare's' first half features some decent heckling but the halfway mark is the turning point as Bugs drags up and uses his sex appeal to tempt the two hillbillies into a square-dancing rehearsal. This leads to an extended climactic square-dance sequence which is one of my favourite routines in cartoon history. The success of this sequence is down to several contributors. Writer Tedd Pierce has written a fantastically funny set of lyrics which are delivered with astonishing comedic brilliance by Mel Blanc in one of the highlights of his long and distinguished voice-over career. McKimson creates the perfect visual accompaniment for this astonishing sequence. While 'Hillbilly Hare' might take a few minutes to really get going, its extended musical climax is one of the greatest moments in cartoon history. It never fails to have me roaring with laughter and it elevates the cartoon to the status of a true classic.

A True Classic

[alfachimp · 10/10 · 11 December 2001]

This is one of the best Bugs Bunny cartoons ever. Period. Sure it's kinda violent, but what wasn't when I was a kid? (b.1957) I never had the urge to attempt to drown anyone or throw someone in a hay bailer because of it though. Todays kids are missing a classic. Thanks Tipper.

There is one line I simply have to quote from this little delight! You are warned!

[llltdesq · 10/10 · 5 July 2001]

This is a delightful cartoon, with hilarious dialogue moreso than visual gags. The squaredance scene alone is worth the price of admission, but my absolute favorite line, one that just busts me up every time. Bugs says to one of the Martins, "And who might you be?" to which his response is, "I might be Teddy Rooseyvelt, but I ain't!" So sue me! I think it's a funny line! Highly recommended.

"I'll pull your beard, you'll pull mine."

[slymusic · 27 March 2006]

Directed by Bob McKimson, "Hillbilly Hare" is a lively and funny Bugs Bunny cartoon involving square dancing, which was quite a favorite pastime among the staff at the Warner Bros. cartoon department. Director Chuck Jones was probably the most notorious square dancer of them all! (Don't read the next few paragraphs if you haven't seen this cartoon.)

The funniest highlight of "Hillbilly Hare" involves the climactic (and hectic) square dance sequence in which Bugs, disguised as a slinky female, entices two hillbilly brothers to actively participate. (As usual, Bugs minds his own business until someone comes along and tries to give him a hard time. In this case, these two "persistenant little cusses" try to shoot him.) After briefly dancing in drag with the two brothers, Bugs very quickly changes his disguise and becomes the square dance caller, with a violin to boot. Taking full advantage of his new role, Bugs has the brothers literally bending over backwards in order to adhere to his calls. Before the final iris-out, these two hillbillies promenade out of the dance hall, pull each other's beards, splash into the brook, wallow into a pigpen, bash each other with fence posts, get themselves baled into squares of hay, run like crazy, and finally fall off a cliff.

Other highlights involve a couple of other tricks that Bugs pulls on these two men before the square dance. As one of the brothers aims a rifle at Bugs, Bugs switches the position of the gunstock so that the gentleman actually blasts himself instead! And Bugs allows the two men to chase him into a powder shack, where it is completely dark inside; Bugs offers them his lighter as he quietly slips out!

All you avid square dancers out there will love "Hillbilly Hare." Lesson learned: if you pick on Bugs Bunny and afterwards follow his square dance calls, you will be in big trouble!

More Tedd's cartoon than McKimson's

[movieman_kev · 7/10 · 3 November 2005]

Bugs Bunny is vacationing in the Ozarks when he runs afoul with two local hillbillies by the name of Curt and Pumpkinhead Martin. He manages to persuade the rednecks to dance a rather violent square dance. Wow a second McKimson cartoon that doesn't make me want to fling my hands up in disgust in a row, that IS a personal best for him. Honestly, that's not totally correct as I choose to credit Writer Tedd Pierce more for the success of this one. The only true high point being the songs. This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 and includes an optional commentary by Micheal Barrier, as well as a music & effects only track.

My Grade: B+

The best Bugs Bunny cartoon in existence.

[rondaleroi · 10/10 · 16 October 2005]

No, let me revise that. The best CARTOON in existence, bar none.

What are they talking about, violent? Nobody could ever take the violence in this gem seriously. I love square dancing, and I love this cartoon. I used to listen for the opening of Bugs singing, "I love mountain music…" as my cue that my favorite cartoon was about to air. Put it back on the television rotation, please, oh TV moguls who have decided it's politically incorrect or whatever. Todays kids are missing out.

I have read that Mel Blanc wrote part of the square dance patter. All I can say is I'm glad I never had him (or his alter ego, Bugs Bunny) as my square dance caller! But I'm tickled pink to watch the Martin brothers dance to his tune.

Hatfields, McCoys & Bugs

[redryan64 · 10/10 · 27 July 2014]

IF IT WEREN'T for one particular extended gag, this could very well have been indistinguishable from so many of the Bugs Bunny pictures of its day. That's not to say that it wasn't an enjoyable and worthwhile 8 minutes well spent, for it would have been Any BB Cartoon of this period is pigeon holed in this manner.

UP TO THE point of which we speak, it was typically a "aren't we smarter than those hicks, hayseeds and ridge-runners. It's the same premise that spawned and sustained THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES for so many seasons, a one joke comedy extended to the nth degree.

THIS ONE GAG that we're raving about is when Bugs becomes the Square Dance Caller. It lasts for a good 2 1/2 minutes or so and is really a Tour de Force for Voice actor, Mel Blanc.

THIS ROUTINE ALONE should put Mel into Animators Heaven as swell as their Hall of Fame (if there is one!).

Now form a square....

[Puck-20 · 30 March 2001]

A typical Bugs-vs.-the Hillbillies toon until the square-dancing scene...which has got to be one of the most hilarious three minutes in cartoon history. Lots more violent toons out there (the Powerpuff Girls come to mind) done with much less wit.. A must-see for any cartoon fan...

The square dancing sequence makes this cartoon

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 27 October 2010]

I think this is one of my favourite McKimson cartoons. While a tad too fast in pace occasionally, it is still hugely enjoyable with a huge amount to like about it. The animation is crisp, clean and smooth, with some gorgeous colours, and the character designs are fine. The music is excellent too, coming across as energetic and quirky, while the dialogue is infectious and the story is great. Bugs is a likable and witty lead and the hillbillies take the support well, and Mel Blanc as he always is is impeccable at the vocal characterisations. What does make Hillbilly Hare though is the square dancing sequence. In every sense, it is simply genius with a fun memorable melody and hilarious lyrics, while the dancing was good too. In short, I concur that it is one of the greatest scenes in cartoon history, let alone in the history of the Looney Tunes cartoons. In conclusion, a fun and enjoyable cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox

A great Bugs Bunny cartoon directed by Bob McKimson

[ja_kitty_71 · 10/10 · 21 October 2007]

This is another great Bugs Bunny cartoon directed by Bob McKimson along with "Acrobatty Bunny" from 1946, "Hurdy-Gurdy Hare" from the same year this short is made in - 1950, "Rabbit's Kin" from 1952 with Stan Freberg again as Pete Puma this time; "Wet Hare" from 1962.

Mel Blanc & Stan Freberg were great as the two hillbilly brothers Curt & Pumpkinhead Martin. Not to be mean, but a hillbilly's speech impediment is funny to me. The best scene in this cartoon, is the square dance scene where Bugs makes up a hilarious square ditty :

"Whomp him low! and Whomp him high! stick your finger in his eye!" Something like that. So anyway I really love this cartoon.

McKimson is underrated

[sglacker · 10/10 · 7 February 2006]

One of Bob McKimson's best, and further proof that he's perpetually under-rated compared to the "Big 4" WB directors (Avery, Clampett, Jones, Freleng).

Personally, I find his short features more watchable than either Avery's or Clampett's, although part of that has to do with the fact that both the art form and the characters were further evolved by the time McKimson was directing with his own production unit. But don't discount McKimson's animation as being a BIG part of Clampett's successes either.

I would rate this, along with "Boobs in the Woods" as two of McKimson's best. Both hold their own in comparison to the best of Freleng and Jones' cartoons.

As BAMBI had hinted earlier . . .

[cricket30 · 8/10 · 16 March 2016]

. . . HILLBILLY HARE makes the case that America's so-called "wild animals" MUST be better armed. Maybe Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett could look themselves in the mirror after a long day of preying upon unarmed critters, but maybe they didn't HAVE mirrors (they certainly did not have semi-automatic Bushmasters!). As likely Libertarian Party Nominee Gary Larson constantly preaches, nobody would be singing verses asking Buffalo Bill how many did he kill if our treasured Nickel Back herd animals had had long guns themselves (with ample ammo) to return Bill's fire. Every True American is in favor of Fair Fights, and where I come from guys are getting "accidentally" shot by their hunting dogs ALL THE TIME. I'd be a hypocrite in continuing my BANGS (Broke Americans Need Gun Stamps) Campaign without supporting Bugs Bunny, the original HILLBILLY HARE, and his Real Life rabbit counterparts, along with the Bears, Lions, Rams, Elks, Moose, etc. in their need for species-appropriate firearms of their own. That way, when the Real Life Curt and Pumpkin'head Martins get drunk and make for the woods, at least the woods will be able to fight back!

HILLBILLY HARE serves as a Warner Bros. tribute . . .

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 17 January 2016]

. . . to the Men and Culture of the American South. Warner Bros. was never in ideological lock-step with studios such as MGM (which released the infamously revisionist and harmful public nuisance labeled GONE WITH THE WIND). HILLBILLY HARE opens with the "Martin Brothers" demonstrating to Bugs Bunny that guys in such Southern regions as the Arkansas Ozarks have never heard tell of razors. It goes on to show that such dudes feel naked without an over-sized gun in their fists to compensate for whatever phallic inadequacies or short-comings they may feel at the moment. When Bugs is able to tie up the barrel of Curt Martin's shot gun into a pretzel, it's a clue that Warner's animators want their audience to know that a Southerner's gun is not simply cold, hard blue steel, but also a warm, pliable tube more likely to spit out on themselves than anyone else as they manipulate it. Next, Bugs demonstrates that Southern gentleman are prone to be taken in by transvestites. Bugs throws on some Daisy Dukes, and the Martins begin drooling all over themselves. Finally, Bugs demonstrates how Sons of the South are dumber than posts--so dense, in fact, that all it takes is a malicious square dance caller's perverse rhymes to make them clobber each other with fence posts! It's hard for anyone who's seen Will Smith's CONCUSSION to believe that the NFL still will be in business five years from now. But as HILLBILLY HARE indicates, as long as there are Southern boys, we'll always have football!

Ozark people aren't too lucky on screen, are they?

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 5 July 2007]

Warner Bros. cartoons had previously focused on less-than-intelligent hicks in "A Feud There Was" (the first time that the name Elmer Fudd appeared), but they took this focus to a really hilarious extent in "Hillbilly Hare". While on vacation in the Ozarks, Bugs Bunny encounters a pair of trigger-happy yokels, but of course manages to trick them. He's absolutely unbeatable! If there arises a debate about whether or not this cartoon makes fun of rural people, just remember that it's a total joke (think "The Beverly Hillbillies"). And besides, how can you not like how Bugs gets the two bumpkins to engage in the wacky dance? A really funny cartoon.

"Oh, Murgatroyd! Look what crawled outta the woodwoik!"

[utgard14 · 8/10 · 22 February 2016]

Hilarious Bugs Bunny short, directed by Bob McKimson, finds our hero in the Ozarks (no wrong turn at Albuquerque here; he's vacationing). It takes no time at all before Bugs finds himself being hunted by two hillbilly brothers, who he easily outsmarts at every turn. Very simple cartoon but also very funny. There are many great lines and gags in this one but the highlight is the classic square dance scene. Just about all the hillbilly jokes you can think of are used here (the beards, the clothes, the lack of shoes, the feudin', etc.). Excellent voice work from Mel Blanc, Stan Freberg, and John T. Smith. Lively music from Carl Stalling. The animation is very nice, with beautiful fall colors and well-drawn characters and backgrounds.

Bugs Bunny's square dance

[Petey-10 · 8 November 2011]

The hillbilly brothers Curt and Punkinhead Martin haven't had luck in the rabbit hunt.Now they have determined to get Bugs Bunny.Probably not the easiest target.Hillbilly Hare is a Merrie Melodies cartoon from 1950.Its director is Robert McKimson and it's produced and released through Warner Bros. Pictures.Bugs is voiced by Mel Blanc, who else.He also does the voice of Curt Martin.Stan Freberg is the voice of Punkinhead Martin.Then there's also John T. Smith.This short represents slapstick comedy at its best.Bugs Bunny's long square dance number with the song is a riot.We also see Bugs wearing women's clothes.That makes the boys whistle.This is seven minutes pure Bugs Bunny fun.