Saturday, June 07, 2008

Saturday Morning Cartoons--Devil May Hare

For today's Saturday Morning Cartoons, let us give a warm welcome to that "strong, murderous beast, jaws powerful as a steel-trap," The Tasmanian Devil in Devil May Hare. This is Taz's debut cartoon as he chases Bugs Bunny while Bugs attempts to help find Taz some dinner. Devil May Hare came out in 1954, and was directed by Robert McKimson. After the short film entered theaters, producer Edward Selzer, who was head of the Warner Brothers animation department, ordered McKimson to shelve Taz because Selzer thought the character was "too obnoxious." However, Jack Warner stepped in and told Selzer that he had recieved "boxes and boxes" of letters from people who liked Taz. Taz went on to even greater celebrity fame in the 1980s and 90s when Warner Brothers marketers tied his image to a slew of merchandise, making Taz one of the most recognizable Looney Tune stars. So it is time to sit back, make some growls, screeches, and raspberries, and enjoy our favorite devil in Devil May Hare. From YouTube:

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