Bugs Bunny Enters Time’s Tin Cup!

There is a history full of myths and legends about Walt Disney and Warner Brothers involving Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

It was a character created by Walt Disney in 1927.
We will never know the true details of how or why Warner Brothers was involved with the trademarks and/or ownership; but because of Oswald being under litigation for years; we all benefited from the birthing of Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny; which was each (Disney and Warners) solution to bringing forth the character flavor of Oswald.

Bugs Bunny is a character from Looney Tunes. The name was inspired by Walt Disney‘s cartoon series, Silly Symphonies. The Silly Symphonies shorts initially showcased musical compositions whose rights were held by Warner’s Music/Merrie Melodies. True ownership was part of the litigation.

Bugs Bunny, an answer to moving forward on the litigated Oswald character; became the breakout character of Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes. This became Warner Brother’s flagship franchise.

In 1938, Bugs Bunny first appeared in the theatrical short “Porky’s Hare Hunt,” directed by Ben “Bugs” Hardaway. Chuck Jones and Tex Avery further developed him, and in “A Wild Hare” (1940), he asks, “What’s up, Doc?” for the first time and kisses Elmer Fudd. His carrot munching was based on Clark Gable’s carrot chewing in the film “It Happened One Night” (1934). Although Porky Pig-first appearing in 1935, and Daffy Duck-first appearing in 1937, predates Bugs Bunny, he has risen to become the most popular of the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes.

Chuck Jones became the known animator of Bugs Bunny.