Monday, July 27, 2015

Happy 75th B-Day to Bugs Bunny: America's smartest cartoon character


“Eh...What’s up Doc?”
~~ Bugs Bunny

Bugs Bunny’s most famous catchphrase introduced at the debut of cartoon short, “A Wild Hare,” on July 27, 1940

Hard to believe, the world's smartest cartoon character, Bugs Bunny, turns 75 years young today (7/27/15). Bugs was born with the release of cartoon short, "A Wild Hare," directed by Tex Avery, on July 27, 1940.

According to the publication "Bugs Bunny: 50 Years and Only One Grey Hare," Bugs was born in Brooklyn, New York, in a warren under Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Actually, he was created by many animators and staff, including Tex Avery. According to the late Mel Blanc, the character's original voice actor, Bugs has a Flatbush accent.




A Wild Hare, is the first cartoon where both Elmer Fudd and Bugs are shown in their fully developed forms as hunter and tormentor.

In this cartoon Mel Blanc first uses what would become Bugs' standard voice; this cartoon also marks the first time that Bugs uses his catchphrase, "What's up, Doc?"


Animation historian Joe Adamson deems "A Wild Hare" as the first "official" Bugs Bunny short. The short was a huge success in theaters and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.












Other Resources
A Brief History of Bugs Bunny, Bathroom Reader, Comics & Cartoons on Nov 8, 2010
BugsBunnyBurrow.com
Wikiquote.org; Bugs Bunny Quotes
Yahoo Voice, The History of Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony (Tour dates - 2012-2013
Wikipedia.org: Listing of Bugs Bunny cartoons in chronological order
YouTube.com - The Wild Hare, starring Elmer Fudd, July 27, 1940



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All photos courtesy of Wikimedia unless otherwise indicated.

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