''Rabbit Transit'' is a 1947 ''

Looney Tunes ''Looney Tunes'' is an American media franchise produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The franchise began as a series of animated short films that originally ran from 1930 to 1969, alongside its spin-off series ''Merrie Melodies'', during t ...

cartoon A cartoon is a type of visual art that is typically drawn, frequently Animation, animated, in an realism (arts), unrealistic or semi-realistic style. The specific meaning has evolved, but the modern usage usually refers to either: an image or s ...

, directed by

Friz Freleng Isadore "Friz" Freleng (; August 21, 1905May 26, 1995), credited as I. Freleng early in his career, was an American animator, cartoonist, Film director, director, Film producer, producer, and composer known for his work at Warner Bros. Cartoons ...

. The short was released on May 10, 1947, and features

Bugs Bunny Bugs Bunny is a cartoon character created in the late 1930s at Warner Bros. Cartoons (originally Leon Schlesinger, Leon Schlesinger Productions) and Voice acting, voiced originally by Mel Blanc. Bugs is best known for his featured roles in the ' ...

and

Cecil Turtle Cecil Turtle is a fictional character in the Warner Bros. ''Looney Tunes'' and '' Merrie Melodies'' series of films. Though he made only three theatrical appearances, Cecil has the unusual distinction that he is one of the very few characters who ...

. The title is a play on "

rapid transit Rapid transit or mass rapid transit (MRT) or heavy rail, commonly referred to as metro, is a type of high-capacity public transport that is generally built in urban areas. A grade separation, grade separated rapid transit line below ground su ...

". Cecil and Bugs had previously raced each other in ''

Tortoise Beats Hare ''Tortoise Beats Hare'' is a ''Merrie Melodies'' short film directed by Tex Avery and released on March 15, 1941. The short, loosely based on Aesop's fable ''The Tortoise and the Hare,'' stars Bugs Bunny and, in his first appearance, Cecil Turtle ...

'' (1941) and '' Tortoise Wins By a Hare'' (1943), making this their third and final encounter. Unlike ''Tortoise Wins by a Hare'', this cartoon presumes that Bugs and Cecil have never met before now.

Plot

Bugs Bunny engages in a heated debate with Cecil Turtle while relaxing in a steam bath, spurred by their reflection on the classic fable of the tortoise and the hare. This debate escalates into a challenge, prompting Bugs to participate in a race against Cecil, with both parties agreeing to uphold fair play. However, Cecil unveils an unexpected advantage by revealing his rocket-propelled shell, disrupting Bugs' initial confidence. Undeterred, Bugs employs various tactics to counter Cecil's newfound speed, including attempts to disable the rocket mechanism and construct a deceptive tunnel along the racecourse. Despite Bugs' efforts, Cecil maintains his lead, prompting Bugs to make a final, desperate sprint to the finish line. In a surprising turn, Cecil graciously relinquishes his advantage, allowing Bugs to claim victory. However, Bugs' triumph is short-lived as he discovers he has violated speed regulations, leading to his apprehension by law enforcement.

Production notes

Cecil and Bugs had previously raced each other in 1941's ''

'' and 1943's '' Tortoise Wins By a Hare'', making this their third and final encounter. Unlike ''Tortoise Wins by a Hare'', this cartoon presumes that Bugs and Cecil have never met before now.

Home media

* VHS - ''Bugs!'' * VHS - ''Bugs Bunny's Zaniest Toons'' * VHS - ''The Golden Age of Looney Tunes Vol 10: The Art of Bugs'' * VHS - ''Looney Tunes The Collector's Edition: A Looney Life'' * LaserDisc - ''Bugs! & Elmer!'' * LaserDisc - ''The Golden Age of Looney Tunes Vol. 1'' * DVD - '' Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 2'' * Blu-ray - '' Looney Tunes Platinum Collection Vol. 2'' * Streaming -

HBO Max Max (known in other countries as, and soon to be reverted globally to HBO Max) is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. It is a proprietary unit of Warner Bros. Discovery Streaming on behalf of Home Box Of ...

References

External links

* 1947 films 1940s Warner Bros. animated short films Looney Tunes shorts American track and field films Short films directed by Friz Freleng Films based on the Tortoise and the Hare Films scored by Carl Stalling Bugs Bunny films Films set on beaches Films with screenplays by Michael Maltese 1947 animated short films {{LooneyTunes-stub