To Hare Is Human

Chuck Jones's 'To Hare is Human' is an expansion on 'Operation: Rabbit', a cartoon that pitted Bugs Bunny against a vocal version of Wile E. Coyote. I was never fond of 'Operation: Rabbit', partly because I wasn't keen on a talking version of the Coyote, but since this version of the character already existed, there was no harm in making a sequel. As it transpire, 'To Hare is Human' is actually a very funny short. By this point, the Road Runner series was well established and Jones had more to lose by pushing forward with this alternative version of the Coyote but, happily, it pays off this time round. Michael Maltese's script is a great improvement on 'Operation: Rabbit', beginning with a very clever sequence in which the Coyote deconstructs what we expect of Bugs's usual adversaries. This witty sequence segues into a series of often hilarious, brilliantly executed gags, all of which are tied together by scenes in which the Coyote consults a huge machine as to how he should approach catching Bugs. The ending is a predictable variation on the climax to several Road Runner cartoons but this disappointing finale is not enough to diminish the quality of the rest of the film. While there will always be a part of me that wishes Jones had never given the Coyote a voice, 'To Hare is Human' is the best argument against this viewpoint.

The story is a little on the predictable side, and the title is rather curious, but To Hare is Human is otherwise very enjoyable. The animation is colourful and vibrant enough, and the music is energetic and rousing. Also excellent are the witty dialogue, some truly clever sight gags and some fast pacing. And I loved Bugs and Coyote together, don't get me wrong I do like the roadrunner vs. Coyote cartoons, but the cartoons with Bugs vs. Coyote are wittier and much more manic. Coyote is still as crafty as ever, yet is always the one who gets the worst of the joke(don't worry, for anyone who is tired of Coyote of falling down a cliff, it doesn't happen here), while Bugs is just as witty, rascally and charming as ever. Both characters are brilliantly voiced by the immortal Mel Blanc. Overall, very enjoyable to watch. 8/10 Bethany Cox

In 'To Hare Is Human' we see a talking Wile E. Coyote trying to catch Bugs Bunny (both with the voice of Mel Blanc). The Coyote uses an elevator to go down in the rabbits hole, is actually able to catch Bugs but then he spoils it by explaining to Bugs who he is: Wile E. Coyote, Genius. After this Coyote invents a Univac Electric Brain that must help him to catch Bugs, but of course things do not go as planned.

This is a nice cartoon. I like the talking Coyote although his silent one, from the Road Runner cartoons, is probably more fun. There are some good gags here. Especially the one where the Coyote asks his machine what to do next and the machine sends him to the real purpose of the Coyote in every cartoon is a great one. Recommended.

This is one of the three (I think) cartoons in which our buddy, Wile E. Coyote, goes after Bugs Bunny instead of the Road Runner. Either way, you know it's going to be fun to watch. Audio-wise, however, I can never put this proper-Old English Gentleman voice and dialog together with Wile. It just doesn't match.

As in one of the other ones I watched, Wile hands Bugs his card. This one is a little fancier and reads, "Wile E. Coyote - Genius; Have Brain, Will Travel. (For those too young, a popular western TV show at the time was called "Have Gun, Will Travel.")

Another sign of the cartoon date is the "Univac" in Wile's cave. That big machine is actually a computer and they were giant things that only rich corporations could afford. The days of personal computers were still a few decades away.

I enjoyed Bugs' lair in this cartoon, and is remedies for getting rid of the coyote, he can he showed up, which he did several times, of course. Wile might have had all the latest technology but we know which of the two characters had the real brains.

Wile E. Coyote introduces himself as a genius and captures Bugs Bunny in a bag. Of course, Bugs manages to escape. So Wile E. Coyote unpacks the UNIVAC electronic brain. He consults the UNIVAC as each situation arises to capture the rabbit.

The UNIVAC is a funny idea, but I would like it to stop coming back. Mostly, I don't want to read. It disrupts the flow with these little card stops. After the first incident, I want Wile E. Coyote to smash the machine. Otherwise, I do like this for the most part. I love the banana peel. Who doesn't? Everybody love a banana peel gag. I just don't want to read.