Wonderful character development!

recommended

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.While not one of my favourite cartoons of all time and never will be, 'Porky's Hare Hunt' is nonetheless very well made and very entertaining. It is interesting to see a proto-version of Bugs Bunny before Bugs Bunny became famous and Porky Pig paired with a character that wasn't primarily Daffy Duck. There's not much wrong actually in 'Porky's Hare Hunt', it is very slight on story and there's not much original in it.Porky is a lot of fun and very likable in a type of role that suits him, but he makes more of an impression as a supporting character later on, he sometimes was a little bland in early lead roles. Having said that, there is so much to recommend.However, the animation is very good. It's beautifully drawn, very detailed and it's done in a crisp black and white, complete with some great expressions for particularly the rabbit.Carl Stalling's music score is typically lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms, it's also beautifully synchronised with the action and gestures/expressions and even enhances the impact. All of those things Stalling was an unparalleled master at in animation, or at least in my view.The rabbit is no Bugs, not as interesting in personality, but the character drives the action to fun effect. There are a lot of very funny and cute moments. Zero is the same. Timing is lively. Mel Blanc's versatility as ever shines impeccably.Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

By the late 30's, the Schlesinger studio had crystallized their in-house style, which echoed the spirit of the live action Warner Bros. features.Tex Avery's unit had created Daffy Duck the previous year who stole the show in Porky's Duck Hunt, which caught audiences by surprise. He started to appear in a handful of shorts in 1938. Ben Hardaway, inspired by Avery, directed a similar titled short featuring what he called "that crazy duck in a rabbit suit". This also got the attention of audiences. As most fans know, this rabbit became Bugs Bunny within the next two years, molded by several directors and artists. It's also interesting to note Porky's development during this time-frame. He went from a very round character to a slimmer refined design. Although there were still different Porky designs depending on the director. Clampett's Porky around this time closely resembles the Porky we know today. Hardaway used a very similar design for Porky that Tashlin was using at this time, which was wide-eyed and boyish. To the casual observer, the rabbit would not register as Bugs Bunny as there's virtually no physical or personality resemblance. This is one of the more memorable and enjoyable B/W Looney Tunes from the period.

Some people disagree on whether this episode is Bugs Bunny's first appearance. The rabbit/ hare here is incredibly different from the Bugs we know today. However, I like to think that this is Bugs Bunny and in ways I prefer him to the later Bugs. I just slightly prefer what he looks like in this to his nowadays state (and his size). Bugs Bunny's original name was Happy Rabbit, which I think suits him here.I like this episode because of the personality of the old Bugs Bunny, the gags (which are a little like Disney gags) and Zero (Porky's dog) is sweet. It may have little plot, but this is hardly a flaw. Indeed, it could have been better with a plot, but it was not necessary.What happens, is that (like in Porky's Duck Hunt) Porky is hunting, but this time for rabbits. With his dog Zero Porky Pig tries to catch the wild and Houdini-like Bugs Bunny, but is not seeming to be managing...Recommended for people who enjoy old Looney Tunes and who would like to see the most charming Bugs Bunny ever! Enjoy "Porky's Hare Hunt"! :-)

And thus is born the earliest version of Bugs Bunny (informally called Happy Rabbit). Though anonymous in "Porky's Hare Hunt" and hardly resembling the rascal famous today, the screwball rabbit is one of the funniest characters whom I've ever seen. Sporting a Woody Woodpecker voice, he does pretty much the same sorts of things that the early Daffy Duck did in "Porky's Duck Hunt".So at the very least, this cartoon should be required viewing for animation historians. The hooligan hare utters Groucho Marx's "Of course you realize this means war!" for the first time. It would still be two years before audiences would hear "What's up, doc?" spoken by the rabbit's more familiar form, but there's a sense that this bunny has some really cool tricks up his sleeve. You gotta love it.All in all, definitely a cartoon milestone. Available on YouTube.