The Million Hare

{{Infobox film

|name=The Million Hare

|image=The Million Hare title card.png

|caption=Title card

|background_artist=Robert Gribbroek

|animator=Warren Batchelder
Ted Bonnicksen
George Grandpre
Keith Darling
Special Effects:
Harry Love{{cite book |last=Webb |first=Graham |title=The Animated Film Encyclopedia: A Complete Guide to American Shorts, Features and Sequences (1900-1999) |publisher=McFarland & Company Inc. |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7864-4985-9 |page=229 |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/download/a-companion-to-film-theorytoby-millerrobert-stam371pdf-pdf-free.html|edition=Second }}

|story=Dave Detiege

|starring=Mel Blanc
(all voices)

|music=Bill Lava

|producer=David H. DePatie

|studio=Warner Bros. Cartoons

|distributor=Vitaphone
Warner Bros. Pictures

|released={{Film date|1963|04|6|USA}}

|color_process=Technicolor

|runtime=6:16

|language=English

}}

The Million Hare is a 1963 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes theatrical cartoon short directed by Robert McKimson.{{cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Jerry |last2=Friedwald |first2=Will |title=Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons |date=1989 |publisher=Henry Holt and Co |isbn=0-8050-0894-2 |page=342}} The short was released on April 6, 1963, and stars Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |accessdate=6 June 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780816038312/page/60/mode/2up |pages=60–62}} In this film, Bugs and Daffy compete in a game show.

Clips from The Million Hare were used, with color commentary by John Madden and Pat Summerall, as part of the fourth quarter of the 2001 Cartoon Network special The Big Game XXIX: Bugs vs. Daffy.

Plot

The narrative unfolds within the subterranean abode of Bugs Bunny, who is joined by Daffy Duck. Their tranquility is interrupted by the televised spectacle of the game show Beat Your Buddy, where chance favors Bugs and Daffy as selected contestants for a tantalizing prize: "a million bucks".

The ensuing race to claim the coveted reward unfolds as a testament to Daffy's relentless pursuit, juxtaposed against Bugs' composed and methodical approach. Despite encountering numerous setbacks, Daffy's determination propels him forward, albeit accompanied by his own impetuous missteps.

Bugs' calculated journey culminates in his arrival at the studio ahead of Daffy, only to be whisked away in a tumultuous escapade involving a jet pack and an unexpected landing in an antique glass shop. Undeterred by their injuries, the indomitable duo presses on, with Daffy ultimately crossing the finish line first.

However, the anticipated windfall reveals itself to be a whimsical double twist — the prize is not a million bucks, but a "million box", meaning one million small boxes. Considering it worthless, Daffy gives it to Bugs. But then it is revealed that each of the boxes contains a dollar, so it is a million dollars after all and Daffy has squandered his win.

Daffy is asked for comment, and in response his head turns into a donkey's and he brays.

Home media

The Million Hare is available on the Looney Tunes Superstars and The Best of Bugs Bunny DVDs cropped to widescreen format. This short can also be found in its original aspect ratio on the Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection Blu-ray set.