Herr Meets Hare

The first time I saw this cartoon was on the same Internet site where I found "Tokio Jokio", and let me tell ya: Aside from Bugs Bunny disguising himself as Hitler and Stalin, this cartoon is tame enough even for cable (and it was. A CN special on World War Two cartoons managed to show this uncut). Besides, today's kids wouldn't get the jokes, so why are the PC Police making older cartoon viewers suffer by banning this and other WW-II cartoons from all media?

BTW: The scene where Bugs Bunny dresses as the Brunhilde and dances with Hermann Goerring was later re-used in the magnificently done, Chuck Jones-directed, "What's Opera, Doc", only Goerring was replaced with Elmer Fudd dressed in Viking garb, there was a duet called "Return My Love" (that ALWAYS made me cry everytime I watch it. Why, don't ask?) that was sung by Elmer and Bugs, the scene was longer than it was in "Herr Meets Hare", and the setting was excellently done by the late, great Maurice Noble (1910-2001).

With all the cries of things being offensive, and this cartoon apparently being one of them, it is truly a cruel twist of fate that upon posting an image online from this cartoon, images seen here of Goering's likeness heiling Bugs as Hitler, someone who is Jewish reported me and said it was anti-Semitic. Nevermind that Leon Schlesinger, Friz Freleng and Mel Blanc likewise were all of Jewish descent. So this seems to be who we are.

A lost Bugs Bunny hits the surface in Germany's Schwarzwald where he meets up with Goering (Eh Doc, which way to Las Vegas?). Goering tries to catch him with his bird as this Bugs short is taking all the well-known steps: Bugs dresses up a couple of times (including one time as Hitler), and Goering is foolish enough to fall for it.

Then Goering finally catches Bugs and takes him to Hitler. This is such a funny scene! As Goering goes in he shouts 'Heil Hitler'. Hitler doesn't even look up from his solitaire card-game (!) and says: 'Heil Me'. That really cracked me up.

A funny propaganda short, this one: 7/10.

This cartoon features Bugs Bunny tunneling and accidentally ending up in Germany during WWII. And, of all the people to meet, he sees a lederhosen-clad Herman Goering frolicking about and soon the Nazi is determined to kill the American schwein. Later, Hitler joins in on the fun as well! "Herr Meets Hare" is a pretty good Bugs Bunny cartoon. However, you are very unlikely to see it unless you look for it. That's because the cartoon is very dated, as WWII propaganda films are practically ancient history. Plus, we are in a VERY politically correct time, and the notion of a cartoon featuring Hitler as well as Bugs dressing up like Hitler is something incompatible with current mindsets. Now I am NOT pro-Hitler or anything like that--just wondering why anyone is against showing Bugs kicking Hitler and Goering's butts! Besides, this IS a part of our history--why not embrace this sort of propaganda film, as it's all in good fun.

If you do want to see the film, you can currently download it for free at archive.org. Just don't hold your breath waiting to see it on television!

Not one of my favourite Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny cartoons by all means, with some of the material being of the time (also prefer cartoons with a wittier touch rather than a propaganda touch) and younger audiences may find some of 'Herr Meets Hare' goes over their heads or a touch heavy-handed.

That's understandable, because the references that 'Herr Meets Hare' has are less than subtle. Again though this is part of the fun (and to be honest the people that are referenced are as far from subtle as one can possibly get), and the cartoon did have balls for doing this when World War II was still very much happening, with the Nazis still terrorising innocent people and Hitler still in power.

'Herr Meets Hare' has beautiful animation, colourful, meticulously detailed, rich and very smooth and fluid. It's lusciously and energetically scored too, and it was great to hear the Venusberg theme from Wagner's 'Tannhauser', pre-dating one of the greatest cartoons in history 'What's Opera Doc' which used the same music to iconic and even more memorable effect. The music not only adds so much but enhances the action too.

While not as hysterical as other Looney Tunes efforts, the dialogue is fresh and witty and the gags are no less than very funny, the best bits hilarious. The vulture and the scene with Hitler do raise some quite big laughs, but even funnier are Bugs' brilliant if obvious disguises (always amazing that his opponents nearly always fall for them so easily), especially the Hitler and Brunnhilde guises.

Bugs leads the cartoon brilliantly, such a charismatic and funny character, and Goehring is a very worthy and effective opponent. Mel Blanc does impeccably as ever with the vocals, is there anything this enviously talented man cannot do? All in all, very entertaining cartoon if not one of my favourites. 8/10 Bethany Cox