The Hare-Brained Hypnotist

Infobox Hollywood cartoon
cartoon_name = The Hare-Brained Hypnotist
series = Merrie Melodies


caption = Title Card for this cartoon
director = I. Freleng
story_artist = Michael Maltese
animator = Philip Monroe
voice_actor = Mel Blanc
Arthur Q. Bryan (uncredited)
musician = Carl Stalling
producer = Leon Schlesinger
distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures
release_date = October 31, 1942
color_process = Technicolor
runtime = 8 min. (one reel)
movie_language = English
imdb_id = 0034829

"The Hare-Brained Hypnotist" is a Bugs Bunny cartoon released on October 31, 1942. The cartoon stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. This cartoon's plot was re-worked for the 1955 cartoon "Hare Brush" and its opening music was re-used in the 1946 cartoon "Hair-Raising Hare" and "Hyde and Hare" (also from 1955).

The title, instead of employing the usual "hare" vs. "hair" pun, is standard spelling, for the expression that indicates thoughtlessness or recklessness.

Plot

Elmer is reading a book about hypnotism but he bumps into a bear. He hypnotizes the bear into thinking he is a canary. Bugs then asks Elmer, "What's up, doc?". Elmer states he has him right where he wants him and starts to hypnotize Bugs. Bugs fools Elmer by giving him a balloon with long ears and he hears the bear he hypnotized earlier chirping and falls to the ground. Then he chases Bugs and fights over the gun. Then he cries on a tree and Bugs asks what's wrong. Elmer tells him that he (Bugs) won't cooperate when he tries to hypnotize him. Bugs says he will cooperate.

Then, as Elmer hypnotizes Bugs, Bugs hypnotizes him instead, and commands him to be a rabbit. Elmer then starts to act like Bugs, inducing Bugs to act like Elmer, and the role-reversing chase ensues. Bugs then looks for Elmer, who is right behind him. Bugs talks to the audience while chewing three carrots — two of which are in Elmer's hands. Then the chase starts again, until Bugs has a chance to "un-hypnotize" Elmer. Elmer then runs away and all seems normal. Then Bugs proceeds to take off and fly like an airplane. Bugs states "I'm the B-19" and flies away toward the airport. The cartoon ends with an iris-out.