What's up Doc?

Once more we delve into the fictional world to find our hero of the day. Our hero is the carrot chewing hare above known as Bugs Bunny, he wasn't "born" today, but it was this day in 1940 in which the cartoon short "A Wild Hare" was released. It is considered to be the first appearance of Bugs Bunny, and his buddy Elmer Fudd in their "finished" form. It was in this cartoon that he also uttered the line by which he is known for "what's up doc?" asked of Elmer Fudd as he emerges from his rabbit hole.

Bugs has had many feuds over the years, and a recurring theme in the Looney Tunes cartoons is that he always wins. However, he usually does it in a way that makes us still root for him, which is some feat. Bugs appeared in 163 cartoons shorts during the golden age of cartoons, and I have probably seen them all about 4 times each. His "of course, you realize this means war" line is one that I have borrowed on more than one occasion. Similarly his "ain't I a stinker" line is a good all-purpose line that has many uses. He is an enduring American legend, and was voted (in 2002) TV Guide's number 1 all time best cartoon character.

Sadly, I haven't seen any of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons in a while, and if they are making new ones, I haven't seen those either. I know he is still around, but without Mel Blanc voicing him it just isn't quite the same. He is a reminder of the (few) happy moments of my childhood, that is long since past. Put me in front of a Bug Bunny cartoon, and I was happy as a clam. Perhaps I should look into purchasing the collection on DVD, so I can always have happiness (of the unbottled variety) just a moment away. Maybe one day I will take that "left turn at Albuquerque," and find that happiness I possessed as a child watching Bugs get the better of other wonderful characters like Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, and Yosemite Sam, but until then I guess I will just have to hope the Cartoon Network is showing some re-runs. So, for teasing me how to be a bit of a smart aleck, and delivering such wonderful lines with perfect timing, Bugs Bunny (July 27th, 1940-present), you are my (338th) hero of the day.