| The Hare-Brained Hypnotist | |
|---|---|
| Merrie Melodies series | |
Title Card for this cartoon |
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| Directed by | I. Freleng |
| Produced by | Leon Schlesinger |
| Story by | Michael Maltese |
| Voices by | Mel Blanc Arthur Q. Bryan (uncredited) |
| Music by | Carl Stalling |
| Animation by | Philip Monroe |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Release date(s) | October 31, 1942 |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Running time | 8 min. (one reel) |
| Language | English |
The Hare-Brained Hypnotist is a Bugs Bunny cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series, released on October 31, 1942. The cartoon stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. This cartoon's plot was re-worked for the 1955 cartoon Hare Brush and its opening music was re-used in the 1946 cartoon Hair-Raising Hare, the 1952 cartoon The Super Snooper and the 1955 cartoon Hyde and Hare.
The title, instead of employing the usual "hare" vs. "hair" pun, is standard spelling, for the expression that indicates thoughtlessness or recklessness.
Elmer is reading a book about hypnotism but he bumps into a bear. He hypnotizes the bear into thinking he is a canary. Bugs then asks Elmer, "What's up, doc?". Elmer states he has him right where he wants him and starts to hypnotize Bugs ("Heh, 'Dracula'", the rabbit observes). Bugs fools Elmer by giving him a balloon with long ears and he hears the bear he hypnotized earlier chirping and falls to the ground. Then he chases Bugs and fights over the gun. Then he cries on a tree and Bugs asks what's wrong. Elmer tells him that he (Bugs) won't cooperate when he tries to hypnotize him. Bugs says he will cooperate.
Then, as Elmer hypnotizes Bugs, Bugs hypnotizes him instead, and commands him to be a rabbit. Elmer then starts to act like Bugs, inducing Bugs to act like Elmer (after furiously declaring, "Who's the comedian in this picture, anyway?"), and the role-reversing chase ensues. Bugs then looks for Elmer, who is right behind him. Bugs talks to the audience while chewing three carrots — two of which are in Elmer's hands. Then the chase starts again, until Bugs has a chance to "un-hypnotize" Elmer. Elmer then runs away and all seems normal. After sneering at Elmer's ability to hypnotize him, Bugs suddenly notices his watch, exclaiming, "I'm overdue at the airport", and proceeds to take off and fly like an airplane. Bugs states "I'm the B-19!" and flies away toward the airport.
This cartoon can be found on Volume 2 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection.
| Preceded by Fresh Hare |
Bugs Bunny Cartoons 1942 |
Succeeded by Case of the Missing Hare |