This is the first of four (or five, if you include a cartoon done in 1979 as part of a special half-hour Christmas cartoon) battles between Bugs and the Tasmanian Devil and in many ways it's the best of them. While Taz is really a one-note character in these and was only in five cartoons between 1954 and 1964, the cartoons are all very good. The ones with Bugs pretty much all revolve around Taz's efforts to have rabbit added to his diet. Mostly sight gags, mainly revolving around food, but Taz has some good lines, particularly in the effort. The ending on this one is very funny. Recommended.
16 Reviews
Bugs Bunny vs The Tasmanian Devil
TheLittleSongbird27 February 2010
Definitely not the best of the Looney Tunes canon, but an entertaining one at that. The animation is beautiful and colourful, and the vocal performances as usual are stellar. Also the music is wonderful, and the gags come by thick and fast and are funny. Bugs is still his funny and somewhat arrogant self, and Taz in his debut despite his ravenous appetite is immensely huggable. I did think though that the story was a little on the predictable side, the gags were well done on the whole, but knowing the plot line before watching the cartoon I kind of knew what I had in store. That said, it was a very entertaining short, and works on repeated viewings.
8/10 Bethany Cox
8/10 Bethany Cox
So cute!
CuriosityKilledShawn9 December 2004
I love the Tasmanian Devil. Isn't he so cute? So what if he eats everything! I found Bugs' tricks rather cruel, after all a Taz Devil has to eat right?
In this cartoon, his first appearance, he comes across Bugs in his usual hunger rampage and wants him for dinner. But Bugs has other ideas and resorts to his old schemes and traps. Standard fare but funny and Taz is wonderfully hug-able. His TV show from the early 90's was terrible but as a character he is great. There are not a lot of Looney Tunes characters with so much potential as their own franchise but Taz is to Warner what Winnie the Pooh is to Disney.
In this cartoon, his first appearance, he comes across Bugs in his usual hunger rampage and wants him for dinner. But Bugs has other ideas and resorts to his old schemes and traps. Standard fare but funny and Taz is wonderfully hug-able. His TV show from the early 90's was terrible but as a character he is great. There are not a lot of Looney Tunes characters with so much potential as their own franchise but Taz is to Warner what Winnie the Pooh is to Disney.
One of the best Taz & Bugs cartoons - `why you bury me in the cold, cold ground?'
bob the moo7 March 2004
When Bugs is disturbed by a stampede of forest animals, Bugs comes out of the hole to find out what's going on. Stopping a speeding turtle, Bugs finds out that a Tasmanian Devil has escaped and is heading his way. With no time to run Bugs is forced to try and outsmart the forever-hungry beast.
Many of the Taz and Bugs cartoons are about as bad as I've seen Bugs Bunny in, but this appears to be an exception. The jokes here are actually pretty funny and I found myself laughing most of the way through the cartoon.
A big, big reason for this is that Taz is given a voice and a character whereas usually he is just a fairly meaningless spinning creature that Bugs easily tricks. Here he is still that but the voice really helps him deliver the laughs instead of just being the brunt of each joke. Bugs rises to this well; together they make a good team here and the cartoon is very funny and imaginative. Even the addition of another devil near the end doesn't spoil it!
Overall, as someone who has pretty much hated every Bugs & Taz cartoon that I have seen, this was a very pleasant surprise. Taz is actually a very good character here and the end result is a very funny cartoon where Bugs is able to actually use Taz as a good partner for once.
Many of the Taz and Bugs cartoons are about as bad as I've seen Bugs Bunny in, but this appears to be an exception. The jokes here are actually pretty funny and I found myself laughing most of the way through the cartoon.
A big, big reason for this is that Taz is given a voice and a character whereas usually he is just a fairly meaningless spinning creature that Bugs easily tricks. Here he is still that but the voice really helps him deliver the laughs instead of just being the brunt of each joke. Bugs rises to this well; together they make a good team here and the cartoon is very funny and imaginative. Even the addition of another devil near the end doesn't spoil it!
Overall, as someone who has pretty much hated every Bugs & Taz cartoon that I have seen, this was a very pleasant surprise. Taz is actually a very good character here and the end result is a very funny cartoon where Bugs is able to actually use Taz as a good partner for once.
Tasmanian Devil makes a hilarious debut in Devil May Hare
tavm9 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Robert McKimson's Devil May Hare marks the first appearance of the Tasmanian Devil, an ugly little monster who constantly spins around that will eat any animal especially rabbits. When he comes upon Bugs Bunny, however, he's in for a surprise! First, he eats a pig that's actually an inflatable raft, then chicken made of bubble gum. Taz is on to Bugs, however, when the rabbit tries to pass a barrel with sticks as a deer even as Mr. Bunny tries to warn a real deer of the monster. He finally gets the Devil a bride as he hilariously marries them in their language! Those grunts alone make this one of the funniest moments in a McKimson short. So once again, like I've done before commenting on cartoons included on The Looney Tunes Golden Collection DVD, Vol. 1, I highly recommend Devil May Hare.
"What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?"
utgard1410 September 2015
The Tasmanian Devil makes his first appearance in this funny Bugs Bunny short directed by Robert McKimson. In the cartoon, Bugs is cleaning his rabbit hole when he's overrun by a stampede of animals of all kinds running for their lives from the Tasmanian Devil. Bugs has to look Taz up in an encyclopedia because he has no clue what it is. He finds out, though, when Taz shows up and tries to eat him.
Taz is pretty low on my list of favorite Looney Tunes characters but I do enjoy his earliest appearances with Bugs. This is a very funny short that works because its 'brains vs. brawn' premise is right in Bugs' wheelhouse. There are several great gags and lines in this. Mel Blanc does wonderful work as Bugs and Taz. The animation is fluid with some lovely colors and backgrounds. The music is energetic and fun. It's probably the best use of Taz in any of the shorts he appeared in during the classic era, which wasn't many.
Taz is pretty low on my list of favorite Looney Tunes characters but I do enjoy his earliest appearances with Bugs. This is a very funny short that works because its 'brains vs. brawn' premise is right in Bugs' wheelhouse. There are several great gags and lines in this. Mel Blanc does wonderful work as Bugs and Taz. The animation is fluid with some lovely colors and backgrounds. The music is energetic and fun. It's probably the best use of Taz in any of the shorts he appeared in during the classic era, which wasn't many.
The Debut Of "The Tasmanian Devil'
ccthemovieman-114 February 2007
Bugs Bunny is doing some housekeeping, vacuuming carrot roots out of his rabbit hole when he peeps his head out and sees a stampede racing by. He finally stops a turtle and asks (after some "What's up doc? queries go unanswered), "What's cookin'?"
The turtle tells him, "The Tasmanian Devil" is on the loose. Who? Bugs looks it up in his dictionary and finds out it is "a strong murderous beast, jaws as powerful as a steel trap - has ravenous appetite," etc etc. (Obviously, this was the first time The Tasmanian Devil appeared in a Bugs Bunny animated short.
Main, the "Devil" wants to devour everything in sight. He's got an appetite like "Baby Huey," but Bugs tricks him every time. In fact, Bugs in kind of sadistic to the newcomer.
Overall, okay but nothing hilarious. Hey, nobody ever said "the Devil" was ever funny.
The turtle tells him, "The Tasmanian Devil" is on the loose. Who? Bugs looks it up in his dictionary and finds out it is "a strong murderous beast, jaws as powerful as a steel trap - has ravenous appetite," etc etc. (Obviously, this was the first time The Tasmanian Devil appeared in a Bugs Bunny animated short.
Main, the "Devil" wants to devour everything in sight. He's got an appetite like "Baby Huey," but Bugs tricks him every time. In fact, Bugs in kind of sadistic to the newcomer.
Overall, okay but nothing hilarious. Hey, nobody ever said "the Devil" was ever funny.
We first meet Taz
desert_dilbert9 January 2018
Just as Coyote was introduced opposing Bugs, we get to meet Taz opposing Bugs. Just like in the Coyote meeting, Taz talks too. I am not personally aware of any other Looney Tunes where either Coyote nor Taz talks. Sure, here and elsewhere we get a lot of "OOH EH AH UH UH!" But if you listen, Taz actually says some words. The one where the savage beast is soothed by music and Bugs has to use this to get the Taz back to the zoo...watch that one and listen for any lines by Taz. But here, he has the classic line, "And rabbits." Bottom line, they rarely get as good as this. A Looney Tune keeper all the way.
With DEVIL MAY HARE, Warner Bros. anticipates an era . . .
oscaralbert16 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . in which dating sites match up gentlemen suffering from Herpes with ladies sporting Herpal Lesions; services that pair HIV-Positive Twosomes; Love Connecters who help Hepatitis Harborers get Hitched; and so forth--in other words, Today's America. As DEVIL MAY HARE commences, Bugs Bunny encounters a being with an insatiable and Democratically omnivorous appetite. This Tasmanian Dispose-All may not be the sharpest tack in the tire, but he makes up for his Slow Starts with Rolling Stops. At first, Bugs tries to appease Taz without going all Neville Chamberlain on him. However, once it's clear that this won't work, Bugs resorts to attacking the attacker. However, Taz proves so formidable that Bugs fears he may scoot over to the Disney Lot and gobble up BAMBI. Realizing that Warner Bros. already has eaten Disney's lunch too many times, Bugs resorts to Desperate Measures. He mates Taz to Miss Taz, and Trouble flies away from Bunnyville. The point Warner is making here is that no matter how bad things get, there's always someone for everyone, since Misery Loves Company.
Not brilliant - but definitely not mediocre either.
Mightyzebra6 March 2009
I was not expecting to be so impressed by this episode, as I am not terribly keen on Taz (in fact, hardly at all). The only reason I had any interest whatsoever to watch this in the first place was that this was Taz's debut (and I am very interested in cartoon debuts). I watched this and found to quite like Taz's appearance here, as well as enjoying Bugs Bunny's contribution and the other highlights of the episode.
Taz's highlights: His animation, some of his gags (especially his first proper one) and the way in which he trusts Bugs Bunny (which makes the episode much more entertaining).
Bugs' highlights: Just being himself, making funny comments throughout and the way he tries to stop Taz eating him.
The other highlights: The animation, a little deer that randomly appears, a few of the sight gags (which are surprisingly clever) and most of the oral gags.
The bad stuff: The fact that the plot was a little too predictable, but that only comes from watching so many Bugs Bunny cartoons where the baddies reach their comeuppance in the same way, it is very clever each time (on Bugs' part). Also Taz is still not my favourite Looney Tunes character by any means.
In this episode, Bugs Bunny is going about his life normally, when he sees a large crowd of animals (from all over the globe), come charging past his burrow. He wants to know what the commotion is, but no-one will stop and tell him. Eventually Bugs stops a shockingly fast tortoise and the tortoise explains to him that the Tasmanian Devil is on the loose. Interested in what a "Tasmanian Devil" could be, Bugs pops down to his bookshelf to look one up. Meanwhile, Taz is coming closer and closer...
I recommend this episode particularly to anyone who likes Taz, or to people who like traditional Bugs Bunny. Enjoy "Devil May Hare"! :-)
Taz's highlights: His animation, some of his gags (especially his first proper one) and the way in which he trusts Bugs Bunny (which makes the episode much more entertaining).
Bugs' highlights: Just being himself, making funny comments throughout and the way he tries to stop Taz eating him.
The other highlights: The animation, a little deer that randomly appears, a few of the sight gags (which are surprisingly clever) and most of the oral gags.
The bad stuff: The fact that the plot was a little too predictable, but that only comes from watching so many Bugs Bunny cartoons where the baddies reach their comeuppance in the same way, it is very clever each time (on Bugs' part). Also Taz is still not my favourite Looney Tunes character by any means.
In this episode, Bugs Bunny is going about his life normally, when he sees a large crowd of animals (from all over the globe), come charging past his burrow. He wants to know what the commotion is, but no-one will stop and tell him. Eventually Bugs stops a shockingly fast tortoise and the tortoise explains to him that the Tasmanian Devil is on the loose. Interested in what a "Tasmanian Devil" could be, Bugs pops down to his bookshelf to look one up. Meanwhile, Taz is coming closer and closer...
I recommend this episode particularly to anyone who likes Taz, or to people who like traditional Bugs Bunny. Enjoy "Devil May Hare"! :-)
Introducing a real devilish character
Tweekums21 July 2009
As a child I always liked the Tasmanian Devil but now he seems less interesting as all he does is eat his way through everything in sight. It was nice to see his introductory cartoon though. It opens with Bugs Bunny being disturbed by a stampede of animals running past his hole, he tries to ask them what is happening but they are all going to fast, he eventually stops a tortoise and is told that a Tasmanian Devil is on the way. Having no idea what a Tasmanian devil is Bugs consults his books and reads off a list of animals that the it eats, when he is finished a gruff voice adds "and rabbits". Bugs points out that he doesn't have much meat on him but offers to help catch him something tasty. This being Bugs though all that happens is the poor Tasmanian Devil gets tricked into eating a chicken made of bubble-gum and then getting flattened by a giant catapult when Bugs saws through it, at least Bug's final trick brings the Tasmanian devil happiness... of sorts.
Taz fails to fulfill the character's promise in his first short
movieman_kev2 November 2005
Bugs Bunny encounters an Tasmanian devil in another lack luster effort by McKimson. Taz had promise, but sadly he would never fulfill on it until the funny '90's show "Tazmania". Here's he's pretty much just another foil, one of the lesser ones I might add, for Bugs. Given this IS a McKimson Bugs carton, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that this effort is a tad light in the laughs department. I just wish someone better came up with the idea of Taz and was able to utilize him better. This animated short can be found on disc 4 of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 and an optional commentary by Jerry Beck
My Grade: C+
My Grade: C+
Another example of a great character making a weak debut
phantom_tollbooth18 August 2008
Robert McKimson's 'Devil May Hare' introduced one of the most popular Warner Bros. characters of all time, the Tasmanian Devil. Although he only starred in five original Warner shorts, Taz (as he would eventually be known) became a prominent part of the 90s Warner Bros. Merchandising and went on to star in his own brilliant cartoon series, 'Taz-mania'. An appealingly vicious creature, the Tasmanian Devil would be a genuine threat to Bugs Bunny (who co-stars in the cartoon) were he not so dumb. Bugs repeatedly fools him with a series of fake animals for him to eat, each of which causes him severe grief. Unfortunately, aside from giving birth to a fantastic character, 'Devil May Hare' doesn't have a great deal going for it. It's unattractively drawn (just look at Bugs raising his eyebrows in the climactic telephone scene for proof) and the gags are mostly not that inspiring. The appeal all rests on the shoulders of the Devil who steals the cartoon with his deranged squeals and grunts. The main reason to see 'Devil May Hare', then, is to witness the first steps of a cartoon legend. Other than that, it's a decent but unhilarious film.
Great Devil
Michael_Elliott19 April 2009
Devil May Hare (1954)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
All of the animals in the forest are running away when a Tasmanian Devil is on the loose. All except for Bugs Bunny who decides to stay and mess with the creature. This is a wonderful Looney Tunes short that contains great action, wonderful characters and an even better amount of laughs. The movie contains one great scene after another and we also get some rather cute ones including one scene with a baby deer. The best moment has to be the sequence where Bugs gives the Devil a lot of bubble gum and you know madness is going to follow. Another plus is that the Devil actually has some rather funny lines instead of just being a fast mess.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
All of the animals in the forest are running away when a Tasmanian Devil is on the loose. All except for Bugs Bunny who decides to stay and mess with the creature. This is a wonderful Looney Tunes short that contains great action, wonderful characters and an even better amount of laughs. The movie contains one great scene after another and we also get some rather cute ones including one scene with a baby deer. The best moment has to be the sequence where Bugs gives the Devil a lot of bubble gum and you know madness is going to follow. Another plus is that the Devil actually has some rather funny lines instead of just being a fast mess.
Especially rabbit?
lee_eisenberg16 January 2007
In the Tasmanian Devil's first appearance, he goes after Bugs Bunny, but Bugs is ahead of him, armed with various things (how many people can actually explain what sodium bicarbonate is?). In the pantheon of Bugs's foils, Taz seems like more of a cowboy than Yosemite Sam (he's louder, angrier, less comprehensible, and apparently is the world's biggest glutton). I've always thought that Taz was funny mainly because of what Bugs does to him; if it was just him, his slobbering and growling might get old pretty quickly.
So, this isn't the best cartoon, but still worth seeing. I wonder how many people in real life have seen a Tasmanian Devil.
So, this isn't the best cartoon, but still worth seeing. I wonder how many people in real life have seen a Tasmanian Devil.
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
slymusic10 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
"Devil May Hare" is a wonderful Bugs Bunny cartoon co-starring one of the wabbit's most hilarious nemeses: the Tasmanian Devil! Mel Blanc, the "Man of a Thousand Voices," created a great voice for Taz, comprised of a smorgasbord of growls, raspberries, snorts, and (surprisingly) English.
Highlights: In order to help the Tasmanian Devil dig for groundhogs, Bugs purposefully covers Taz up with dirt, after which Taz asks him, "What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?" When Bugs reads a list of what Tasmanian Devils eat, he humorously mispronounces "octopuses" and "rhinoceroses". When Bugs spots the hordes of animals escaping from Taz, he rapidly & repeatedly asks each animal "What's up, Doc?" but gets no response.
Directed by Robert McKimson, "Devil May Hare" is a funny cartoon that can be found on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 Disc 4, featuring an additional commentary from a very knowledgeable cartoon historian named Jerry Beck. Mr. Beck frequently shares his knowledge of the Warner Bros. cartoons via interviews & commentaries throughout the various Looney Tunes Golden Collection volumes, and I very much enjoy listening to his discussions.
Highlights: In order to help the Tasmanian Devil dig for groundhogs, Bugs purposefully covers Taz up with dirt, after which Taz asks him, "What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?" When Bugs reads a list of what Tasmanian Devils eat, he humorously mispronounces "octopuses" and "rhinoceroses". When Bugs spots the hordes of animals escaping from Taz, he rapidly & repeatedly asks each animal "What's up, Doc?" but gets no response.
Directed by Robert McKimson, "Devil May Hare" is a funny cartoon that can be found on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1 Disc 4, featuring an additional commentary from a very knowledgeable cartoon historian named Jerry Beck. Mr. Beck frequently shares his knowledge of the Warner Bros. cartoons via interviews & commentaries throughout the various Looney Tunes Golden Collection volumes, and I very much enjoy listening to his discussions.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
