Hair-Raising Hare

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Hair-Raising Hare is a 1946 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. It was released on May 25, 1946, runs about 7 minutes and 41 seconds, and stars Bugs Bunny. This short marks the first appearance of Chuck Jones’ orange monster, Gossamer.

Plot in brief:
On a dark night, Bugs Bunny pokes his head from his burrow and jokes about being watched. A mad scientist (a parody of Peter Lorre) plans to trap a rabbit to feed to his giant, hairy monster, Gossamer. He lures Bugs to his castle with a wind-up female rabbit singing “Oh, You Beautiful Doll.” When Bugs kisses the robot’s hand, it falls apart, and he quips, “That’s the trouble with some dames… kiss ’em and they fly apart!” The scientist then reveals his real plan and introduces Bugs to his “little friend,” who turns out to be Gossamer.

Bugs tries to leave, but Gossamer chases him. A series of gags follows as Bugs uses doors, a wall, and a knight-in-armor to evade the monster, including a trick with a manicure that uses mousetraps. Each time Bugs seems to escape, Gossamer corners him again. Finally Bugs appears to outsmart the monster, but Gossamer shrieks “People!” and runs off through several walls. With the monster gone, the female robo-rabbit reappears, intact, and Bugs notes that she’s mechanical as she kisses him, leaving a lipstick mark. He then follows her off-screen.

Additional notes:
- The short gives Bugs a Groucho Marx–style persona.
- It’s the first appearance of Gossamer, and the design and humor are distinctive to this era.
- The title is a pun on hare/hair.
- Gossamer’s next appearance is in Water, Water Every Hare.