Operation: Rabbit

Operation: Rabbit is a 1952 Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated cartoon directed by Chuck Jones. The cartoon was released on January 19, 1952, and features Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote. This marks the second appearance of Wile E. Coyote, the first where he is named, and the first where he has spoken dialogue.

Plot

Wile E. Coyote endeavors to capture Bugs Bunny. At first, Coyote's audacious declaration of superiority over Bugs, touting his intellect and physical prowess. Despite Coyote's bravado, Bugs remains unfazed, deploying his quick wit to outsmart his adversary at every turn.

The plot unfolds through a series of comedic scenarios, each showcasing Coyote's increasingly elaborate schemes to ensnare Bugs. From culinary endeavors to mechanical decoys and explosive contraptions, Coyote's attempts are consistently foiled by Bugs' ingenuity and resourcefulness. Through clever manipulation and strategic countermeasures, Bugs consistently turns the tables on his would-be captor, leaving Coyote in a state of exasperation and defeat.

The climax of the film culminates in a spectacular sequence involving a train collision, symbolizing Coyote's ultimate downfall. As the dust settles, a humbled and battered Coyote concedes defeat, symbolically acknowledging his own ineptitude. Bugs, ever the wily protagonist, delivers a final quip, cementing his triumph over his hapless adversary.

Production

This was the second cartoon to feature Wile E. Coyote (following 1949's Fast and Furry-ous), and the first in which he is identified by his full name. It is also the first in which the Coyote speaks; his voice, like Bugs, was provided by Mel Blanc. The two characters would reappear together in the cartoons To Hare Is Human (1956), Rabbit's Feat (1960), Compressed Hare (1961), and Hare-Breadth Hurry (1963).

Home video

The short was released on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4, Disc One.