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Hare Force (1944)

User reviews

Hare Force

14 reviews
7/10

when Sylvester was a dog

This time, Bugs Bunny is stuck outside in the dead of winter, until a kindly old woman lets him into her house. The only thing is, her dog Sylvester doesn't like anyone getting his spot in front of the fireplace, and proceeds to try and get Bugs out of the house. Pure mayhem between Bugs and Sylvester ensues, and I didn't predict that ending.

Considering that the dog is named Sylvester, it's probably a preview of how the famous cat with that name would do everything possible to eat Tweety but always get his comeuppances. Maybe.

Overall, not the greatest cartoon, but still OK.
  • lee_eisenberg
  • Apr 2, 2007
  • Permalink
7/10

not among the best, yet still fun

On a cold snowy Winter night, an elderly woman takes in a cold Bugs Bunny who is dying on her doorstep. Her dog Sylvester doesn't like this one bit and tosses him out, of course you know that this means war and they take turns throwing each other outside. This cartoon is pretty good although Bugs seems to be off somehow from the version we all know and love. The dog made a pretty fun, if simple, foil for the rascally rabbit though. Not among the top wrung of the Bugs shorts, but fun none the less. This animated short can be found on Disk 1 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 set.

My Grade: B
  • movieman_kev
  • Nov 2, 2005
  • Permalink
8/10

Another bulls-eye.

Usually when someone suggests a break, they think of a certain chocolate bar commercial. However, my idea of relaxation is to pull up a good Looney Tune and watch your favorites. Hare Force is but one example. Bugs is brilliant as usual and his sole purpose, to entertain us, doesn't fail anyone.

Bugs Bunny's at it again, seeking hospitality from an old granny and facing yet another jealous foe, Sylvester the Dog.

Definitely one of Bugs' finer performances, his wisecracks and wit continue in top condition. Since Sylvester's much slower in mind, the cartoon logically, yet unfortunate, doesn't go on longer than I always hope. Any Bugs Bunny fan will enjoy it.
  • Rex_Stephens
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • Permalink

You must remember this, a dog is still a dog, a rabbit is just a rabbit . . . .

  • slymusic
  • Apr 8, 2009
  • Permalink
6/10

not quite there

An old lady places her dog Sylvester comfortably in front of a roaring fire for the night. She finds Bugs Bunny frozen at her doorstep. She pushes Sylvester out and puts Bugs in his place. He is not happy with Bugs taking up his bed. He sets out to kill off the competition and Bugs retaliates. Both try to drive the other out.

This starts off fine, but it doesn't reveal how Bugs came to the front door. It could set that up more. It's all going fine for the most part, but I don't like the ending. There is a need to justify that ending and it's not there. This short is not quite there in the writing.
  • SnoopyStyle
  • Feb 10, 2025
  • Permalink
9/10

This Is Another Example Why Bugs Bunny Was So Popular

Cartoonists must have liked the name "Sylvester" back in the classic here. In this Bugs Bunny animated short, the first animal we see is "Sylvester," but not the cat that we all know. This time, it's a dog, snuggled up and pampered by his owner, nice and warm "as a bug in the rug" next to the fireplace on a cold winter night.

That's quickly interrupted when there's a knock on the door and it's a frozen Bugs. The old lady immediately gives him the rug and blanket and plops him down at the fireplace. The dog is not happy.

From that point, it's Bugs verses Sylvester, battling it out on who's going to stay warm and enjoy the fireplace. Bugs, as usual, is far superior in the brains department and his opponent has more heart. Unfortunately, in most of these cartoons the wise guy (Bugs) beats out the dumb goodhearted opponent.

Some funny touches included Bugs roasting a carrot and later, the dog howling outside while Bugs glances at a sad painting of the dog over the fireplace and a note the supposedly-dumb dog leaves Bugs!

More good stuff out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. It's easy to see why he was the most popular Looney Tune character of them all.

P.S. The ending of this is guaranteed to make you smile.
  • ccthemovieman-1
  • May 19, 2007
  • Permalink
8/10

Sylvester the dog is no match for Bugs here

  • llltdesq
  • Apr 18, 2015
  • Permalink
9/10

While Bugs look a little off, 'Hare Force' is still great, thoroughly enjoyable stuff

Bugs Bunny has always been one of animation's best, funniest, most interesting and most iconic characters. While Chuck Jones perhaps had the larger amount of masterpieces, Fritz Freleng was still responsible for some thoroughly enjoyable to great cartoons.

While both Bugs and Freleng have done better cartoons than 'Hare Force', there is still a huge amount to enjoy and love. My only real complaint in fact is the character design of Bugs, it has been said that Bugs does look off and personally have to agree, the design is a bit scrappy and the movement has been smoother since.

That aside, the animation is fine. The colours are vibrant, the backgrounds very meticulous in detail and the drawing fluid and very smooth.

Carl Stalling never disappoints and one of my favourite composers in cartoon history, 'Hare Force' does nothing to change that perception. Anybody expecting luscious orchestration, characterful rhythms, clever use of instrumentation and sounds and the ability to elevate gags to a greater level rather than just adding to it will find all of those aplenty.

Dialogue is high and delicious in freshness and wit, and the gags are beautifully animated, high in energy and with not a single misfire. Bugs, despite the design, doesn't disappoint in personality and humour, and Sylvester is a very amusing foil and interacts wonderfully with Bugs, even if Bugs is the funnier and more interesting character.

Voice acting is terrific all round, especially from Mel Blanc.

Overall, great, thoroughly enjoyable cartoon if not among the best from either Bugs or Freleng. 9/10 Bethany Cox
  • TheLittleSongbird
  • Aug 31, 2016
  • Permalink
4/10

An inferior forerunner for 'Kit for Kat'

Friz Freleng's 'Hare Force' is an inferior forerunner for his masterful 'Kit for Cat', which appeared four years later. 'Kit for Cat' pitted Sylvester against an unnamed kitten in a battle to be adopted by Elmer Fudd. 'Hare Force' takes the same situation but inserts Bugs Bunny in place of the kitten and a dog in place of Sylvester (although the dog's name here is also Sylvester,'Hare Force' predates the existence of Sylvester the cat by a year). Although it came first, 'Hare Force' is significantly inferior to 'Kit for Cat'. The situation feels ill-suited for a Bugs Bunny cartoon and the gags are largely routine. Sylvester the dog is an underdeveloped character who seems to shift too easily between intelligent and stupid when it suit's the storyline. 'Hare Force' is ultimately a reasonably entertaining but rather awkward short. Recasting the picture with more suitable characters worked wonders and 'Kit for Cat' was one of Freleng's greatest masterpieces. 'Hare Force' is little more than an interesting prototype by comparison.
  • phantom_tollbooth
  • Nov 2, 2008
  • Permalink

Er...What's up, dog?

Bugs Bunny fights over a warm place with a dog in this early Looney Tunes short.I watched it on Looney Tunes Golden Collection, DVD I found from the library.Pretty entertaining, even though not the very best of Bugs Bunny.But it is rather funny to watch the nice old lady being thrown out in the cold.Not that I have anything against nice old ladies.And Bugs doing his dead act by making a snow bunny, and the poor dog cries over his "good friend".Hare Force from 1944 is directed by Friz Freleng.Mel Blanc provides the voice for Bugs Bunny.Bea Benederet is the voice of Granny and Sylvester the dog is voiced by Tedd Pierce.Enjoy!
  • Petey-10
  • Sep 18, 2011
  • Permalink
10/10

One of the Best Bugs Cartoons Ever Made

  • genormicoidelkjh
  • Sep 5, 2017
  • Permalink
5/10

The Rabbit that came in from the cold

In 'Hare Force,' Bugs Bunny is brought in on a cold winter night, where he must share the warm fire with a dog named Sylvester. Of course, Sylvester gets jealous and the two battle it out. 'Hare Force' certainly has some funny bits, but nothing spectacular. Over all, the film seems to drag a bit, pretty unusual for a Bugs Bunny short.
  • Squonk
  • May 24, 1999
  • Permalink

Good characters and funny set ups

On a cold winter's night, Bugs Bunny knocks on an old woman's door to look for shelter. She brings him in and places him in front of the fire in place of her own dog. When she goes to bed the dog immediately throws Bugs out – but is it as simple as that?

Despite the character of Bugs being a little less well animated than in other cartoons, this cartoon still stands up as being very enjoyable regardless. The plot is simple and pits two good characters against each other. While the jokes are quite simple, it is all delivered with good spirit and is pretty funny in the main.

The dog is a simple character but stands up well alongside Bugs. Bugs himself is well developed here and is his sharp, plotting self. The two characters play off each other really well and it shows that Bugs is always at his best when playing off a strong foil.

Overall this film is simple in terms of plot but still manages to deliver a lot of good jokes and set ups. The characters bring energy and it will make you laugh!
  • bob the moo
  • Oct 25, 2003
  • Permalink

Poor Granny! The early Bugs is a real stinker in this entertaining short

Granny has just tucked Sylvester the dog in for the night when she hears a knock at the door. She opens it and sees a half-frozen Bugs Bunny, who is exaggerating his sorry plight for effect. Granny buys the act and lets Bugs sleep right next to Sylvester in front of the fireplace. But the jealous dog is having none of it. The first chance he gets, he throws Bugs back out in the cold. Bugs plays on the dog's pity to get back in but can't resist a dirty trick. When a snow sculpture of himself melts, Sylvester thinks it's the real rabbit and succumbs to paroxysms of guilt before he discovers the ruse. From then on, the two play a game of one-upmanship that ends when Granny gets in on the game.

Bugs Bunny made a smart career move when he began playing a more sympathetic character—still violent but only when sorely provoked. Still, you gotta love the jerk he often was in his early films. He gets Sylvester to feel sorry for his unkind actions; he could have left it at that. But no, he has to go and torment the dog and generally cause trouble. And what Bugs does at the end?

"Ain't I a stinker?" Yeah, Bugs, you really are!

This cartoon is included in the "Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume Three," Disc 1.
  • J. Spurlin
  • Mar 10, 2007
  • Permalink

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