Roman-Legion Hare
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| Roman Legion Hare | |
| Looney Tunes series | |
| Directed by | Friz Freleng |
|---|---|
| Story by | Warren Foster |
| Animation by | Virgil Ross Art Davis Gerry Chiniquy |
| Voices by | Mel Blanc |
| Music by | Milt Franklyn |
| Produced by | Edward Selzer |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date | November 12, 1955 (USA premiere) |
| Format | Technicolor, 7 min (one reel) |
| Language | English |
| IMDb page | |
Roman Legion Hare is a Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Friz Freleng and written by Warren Foster where after being ordered by Emperor Nero to find a victim to be tossed to the lions,Yosemite Sam tries to capture Bugs Bunny. It was released theatrically on November 12, 1955.
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[edit] Synopsis
The setting is Rome, 54 A. D., at the Coliseum. As a sports caster introduces us to the undefeated champions, the Detroit Lions. Emperor Nero is requesting a first victim. When it turns out they are all out of victims, he sends Captain of the Guard Sam with his legion to go get one. Along the way, they cross path with Bugs Bunny who is looking at them expecting a parade. Sam sends his troops after Bugs but he trips them with his foot. Sam then chases Bugs in a chariot race where he once again is victim of the "whoa! horse" routine. Through the rest of the picture, they are running through the labyrinth of the Coliseum where the lions seem to be lurking behind every other door. Bugs finally escapes but accidentally gets himself in the middle of the arena. Sam victoriously joins Nero in his box as the lions are released. The lions run by Bugs and straight to Sam and Nero who must take refuge atop a column where Nero plays his violin as the lions slowly chop down the column.
[edit] History
This cartoon represents the 18th time Bugs Bunny was pit against Yosemite Sam. As with Sahara Hare released earlier the same year, it was an attempt to move Sam and Bugs Bunny out of he contexts of westerns or pirate movies where most of their previous pairings had occurred. The 1950's were the golden age of Peplum and Roman Epic movies which provided a good new locale for the two characters.
[edit] Trivia
- Emperor Nero is represented as a caricature of actor Charles Laughton who had played the character in The Sign of the Cross in 1932.
- For reasons unknown, the Cartoon Network airing edits out Bugs's line (after Nero and Sam are chased by the lions), "Well, like the Romans say, E. Pluribus Uranium" (a spin on the Latin phrase, "e pluribus unum" ["From many, one"])
- This is the first film where the director is credited as Friz Freleng instead of Isadore or I. Freleng.
- Parts of this films were re-used in the Friz Freleng short film Devil's Feud Cake in 1963
- The title is a play on the words Roman Legionaire
[edit] Availability
After its initial theatre release, Roman Legion Hare was released on home-video on the Bugs Bunny's Wacky Adventures VHS which was issued in 1985.
The film is also part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4 DVD box-set.
[edit] References
- Beck, Jerry and Friedwald, Will (1989): Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. Henry Holt and Company.
