Hare Conditioned (1945)

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

. . . Warner Bros.' Nostradamus-like warnings to America of Coming Cataclysmic Catastrophes, often 50 to 75 years before the fact, through both its live-action features and its animated shorts) often ask, "Why didn't Warner warn us of the Most Terrible Tragedy of All, America's 9-11 Terrorist Attacks?" Of course, such a query only pops up during Warnology 101 Classes, since Warner warned America Early and Often about September 11. (Scandalously, some of these films have been "lost," others were heavily redacted during alleged "restorations," and some may have been buried among the Forbidden Eleven Looney Tunes, which Warner has permanently barred you and me from seeing). However, viewers will note an absence of substance in HARE CONDITIONED. It simply seems notable as the only Looney Tune in which Bugs is falling to his death from a high-rise rooftop as it concludes. That Bugs' fatal plunge is preceded by the Death Dive of the Middle Eastern Taxidermist who's trying to shoot and stuff America's favorite rabbit may have been lost upon the contemporary viewers of 1945, still reeling from Japan's infamous Sneak Attack against Pearl Harbor. But the caricatured sheikh's suicide charge--which takes down Bugs, as well--portends great harm to a nation which insists upon being asleep at the wheel.

Hare Conditioned (1945) ** 1/2 (out of 4) Looney Tunes short has Bugs Bunny working in a department store as part of an outdoor display. His mean boss then wants to use him in a taxidermy display, which Bugs isn't too fond of. This has never been one of my favorites even though I know it has a rather large following amongst other animation fans. For me I've never been too thrilled with any of the action because it simply doesn't make me laugh. I think Bugs is up to his usual good standards and I think the yellow-skinned owner is also quite good. The two work well together but that didn't really matter because it still didn't make me laugh. Heck, even the animation is good but this one just isn't for me.

This, along with "Hare Tonic," ranks as one of the best Bugs cartoons, indeed one of the best Bugs, ever. There are some comments about how Bugs in these cartoons is "basic," meaning, I guess, that he is as yet not fully developed. I actually prefer this "basic" version from the mid-40s (Chuck Jones' was the best version) who is actually more rabbit-sized and far more amusing than the eventual long-legged version who towered over Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck. The latter-day Bugs came to be too suave and sophisticated for my liking. Also check out "Hair Raising Hare" (1946) and "Rabbit Punch" (1948) for great examples of classic Bugs and classic Chuck Jones.

Working as part of a `camping life' display in a shop window, Bugs is having a good time until his boss informs him he'll be changing the display. He plans to keep Bugs but put him in another display within the shop – the taxidermy display. Once he realises what this means, Bugs flees and uses his skills to evade the shop manager.Opening with Bugs from the very first scene mean that this is a stronger example of his films and humour. In terms of action it's all business as usual although here it is a department store manager who Bugs has to outwit and evade to avoid the stuffing process. The gags come fast and will be liked by anyone who likes his other cartoons.The character of the store manager is larger than life and works well as a foil for bugs to bounce off. He even has enough presence that Bugs takes a bit of punishment too! The two work well together on screen and there isn't really a moment that sags or is a disappointment in the whole thing.Overall this is a good example of a strong Bugs cartoon. It shows that all he really ever needed was a strong foil or straight man to work with and his usual material and tricks are enough to keep you laughing.