Tortoise Wins by a Hare

I love the Bugs vs. Cecil cartoons, but I think Tortoise Wins by a Hare is the best of the three. It is hilarious, and moves along really quickly. I also think Mel Blanc supplied simply phenomenal voice work here, it was not only hysterical but also very moving as Bugs despairs over Cecil always beating him and that he is the butt of the joke. At first when watching Rabbit Transit, I found it unusual that Bugs was outsmarted rather than outwitting his co-stars but I think it worked here, instead of the arrogant persona you sometimes see, you do see a cunning Bugs but also a Bugs you feel for. Cecil is wonderful as well, his asides are just as funny as Bugs's shrill cries of despair and he is definitely a worthy opponent.

The animation is great here, colourful and lively, and the orchestral music is a delight. Also delightful are the witty and hilarious dialogue, some fun visual gags and a fun ending. Overall, hugely enjoyable, while not Bugs's very best cartoon, it is his most enjoyable with Cecil. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Bug is watching a movie about the famous race between "The Tortoise And The Hare." Bugs is frustrated and asks aloud, "Why does he (the turtle) always win?"

Bugs then turns to us, the audience, and explains all the reasons the rabbit should prevail in this contest. He then decides to go and ask (while in disguise, of course) "Cecil Turtle" the secret to his success. Cecil, wise to him from the start, gives him a lot of baloney about "airflow chassis that we turtles are designed with," etc. Bugs buys it, checking all the info out that is printed on blueprints.

Bugs then challenges the turtle to another race, to get the honor of the rabbit back....and that's the rest of the animated short. It was very good overall, even if we knew who was going to win that rematch.

Bugs Bunny is angry while reviewing the old film footage. The turtle always wins. He is besides himself and intends to find the reason why he keeps losing. In disguise, he asks Cecil Turtle for his secrets. The turtle sees right through Bugs and tells him that it's all about the streamline of the turtle shell. Bugs decides to make his own shell while the turtle dresses up as a rabbit. It turns out that rabbit mobsters are overwhelmingly betting on Bugs and would do anything to stop the turtle in the race. Of course, Bugs is dressed as the turtle in the race and mobsters keep interfering with Bugs.

I don't really like this Bugs cartoon. It's always tough for me to see Bugs acting slightly dumb. I would also like to have human mobsters. Maybe the rabbit mobster would look more compelling. All in all, this is not my favorite.

This was the first cartoon with Cecil Turtle that I have seen, and it's instantly been one of my favorite Looney Tunes shorts. It's also my favorite of the three Cecil Turtle cartoons.

When I first saw this cartoon, I thought it was weird that Bugs was basically a bad guy (like in Falling Hare) and actually lost. However, I thought it was funny and clever that Bugs dressed like a turtle while Cecil dressed like a rabbit.

I first saw this on TV, and due to censorship I didn't get to see the ending until this carton was shown uncut on The Bob Clampett Show. I won't spoil the ending here, but the ending is very funny (this cartoon is available uncut on the first Looney Tunes Golden Collection DVD, as well as all previous video and laserdisc releases).

All in all, this is my favorite of the three Cecil Turtle cartoons.

Tortoise Wins by a Hare (1943)

**** (out of 4)

Semi-sequel to TORTOISE BEATS HARE has Bugs Bunny asking Cecil Turtle for a rematch since the rabbit can't stand losing the race. Bugs tries to gain an advantage but have no fear because Cecil has a few tricks up his own sleeve. This is another very enjoyable film that manages to be as fun as the original. I enjoyed both of the shorts but think I prefer this one a little more because of the supporting characters, which include a bunch of rabbit gangsters who show up to make sure Bugs wins. The uncut ending, available on the Warner DVD, is a bit over the top and we probably didn't need it but it doesn't take away from any of the laughs in the film.