The Hare-Brained Hypnotist

The Hare-Brained Hypnotist is a 1942 Merrie Melodies short directed by I. Freleng.
== Title ==
The title, instead of employing the usual "hare" vs. "hair" pun, is standard spelling, for the expression that indicates thoughtlessness or recklessness.
== Plot ==
While Elmer is reading a book about hypnotism, he bumps into a bear. He hypnotizes the bear into thinking he is a canary. Bugs asks Elmer, "What's up, doc?" Elmer states he has him right where he wants him and starts to hypnotize Bugs. "Heh, 'Dracula'", the rabbit observes. 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 shotgun. Despondent, he cries on a tree, and Bugs asks what's wrong. Elmer tells him that he won't cooperate when he tries to hypnotize him. Bugs says he will cooperate.
As Elmer tries to hypnotize Bugs, Bugs hypnotizes him instead and commands him to be a rabbit. Elmer starts to act like Bugs, inducing Bugs to act like Elmer. After furiously declaring, "Who's the comedian in this picture, anyway?" a role-reversing chase ensues. Bugs looks for Elmer, who is right behind him. Bugs talks while chewing three carrots, two of which are in Elmer's hands. The chase starts again, until Bugs has a chance to "un-hypnotize" Elmer. Terrified, Elmer runs away and all seems normal. After sneering at Elmer's ability to hypnotize him, Bugs suddenly notices his watch, exclaiming, "I'm overdue at the airport," and proceeds to take off and fly like an airplane. Bugs states "I'm the B-19!" and flies away toward the airport.
== Availability ==
lt cel elmer.jpg|(1987) VHS Elmer!
Cartoon Moviestars 8.jpg|(1988) VHS Cartoon Moviestars: Elmer!
LT Laserdisc 1.jpg|(1988) LaserDisc Cartoon Moviestars: Bugs! and Elmer!
Bugs Bunny Collection VHS 3.jpg|(1991) VHS Bugs Bunny Collection: Bugs Bunny's Comedy Classics
The Golden Age of Looney Tunes Vol. 4.jpg|(1993) LaserDisc The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 4, Side 1: Bugs Bunny
LTCE VOL 14 CARTOON SUPERSTARS.jpg|(1999) VHS Looney Tunes: The Collectors Edition Volume 14: Cartoon Superstars (1995 Turner dubbed version)
Golden Collection box 2.jpg|(2004) DVD Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2, Disc One
lt cbobb2.jpg|(2005) DVD Looney Tunes Collection Best of Bugs Bunny Volume 2
LooneyTunesSpotlightVol8-210x300.jpg|(2014) DVD Looney Tunes Spotlight Collection: Volume 8 Disc 1
Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny Golden Carrot Collection.png|(2020) DVD Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny Golden Carrot Collection, Disc 2
=== Streaming ===
lt boomerang.jpg|Boomerang App ( - )
lt hbo max.jpg|HBO Max (2020 - 2023)
lt max.jpg|Max (2023 - 2024)
== Notes ==
* The plot was re-worked for the 1955 cartoon "Hare Brush", and the opening music was re-used in the 1946 cartoon "Hair-Raising Hare", the 1952 cartoon "The Super Snooper", and the 1955 cartoon "Hyde and Hare".
* This is one of the few a.a.p. Cartoon Network USA airings after 1995, although a 1995 dubbed version print does exist. 
* The USA dubbed print uses the 1947-1948 dubbed ending and retains the 1941-1955 theme while the EU dubbed print uses the 1937-1938 dubbed ending, as did "Tortoise Wins by a Hare".
* The EU Turner dubbed version replaces the original 1941-1955 Merrie Melodies ending music cue with the 1938-1941 Merrie Melodies ending music cue.
* This is the only Elmer cartoon of 1942 to remain under copyright, as "The Wabbit Who Came to Supper", "The Wacky Wabbit" and "Fresh Hare", which all have the fat Elmer, are in the public domain.
* This is the first cartoon to show a slim Elmer Fudd since Elmer's Pet Rabbit, as most of his appearances in 1941-1942 were of the "fat Elmer" design.
== Music-Cueshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034829/soundtrack/ ==
* A-Hunting We Will Go (traditional) 
** Played during the opening scene
* March of the Fairies [From "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61"] (Music by Felix Mendelssohn) 
** Played when it's Elmer's chance to try his psychological experiment on the bear
* Listen to the Mockingbird (by Richard Milburn) 
** Played when the bear flies
* I'll Pray for You (by Arthur Altman) 
** Played when Bugs asks Elmer if he hurt his feelings
* Hey, Doc (by Edgar M. Sampson) 
** Played after Bugs hypnotizes Elmer and when Bugs is eating multiple carrots
* Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 I. Allegro con brio (by Ludwig van Beethoven) 
** Played briefly after Bugs says he's overdue at the airport
== Gallery ==
HareBrainedHypnotistCredits.png
Gnpuq9ghqi.jpg|Animation cel
The Hare-Brained Hypnotist (1942) - Elmer & Bugs.jpg
The Hare Brained Hyponotist Lobby Card.jpg|Lobby card
43880479 434903913700299 1311157492884963328 n.jpg|Lobby card
HareBrainedHypnotistDRAWING.png|Production drawing
HareBrainedHypnotistDRAWING2.png|Production drawing
== References ==
fr:La traque hypnotique
Category:Bugs Bunny Cartoons
Category:Shorts
Category:Cartoons directed by Friz Freleng
Category:Merrie Melodies Shorts
Category:Elmer Fudd Cartoons
Category:1942
Category:Cartoons written by Michael Maltese
Category:Cartoons with music by Carl W. Stalling
Category:Cartoons with characters voiced by Mel Blanc
Category:Cartoons with characters voiced by Arthur Q. Bryan
Category:Cartoons with orchestrations by Milt Franklyn
Category:Cartoons with film editing by Treg Brown
Category:Cartoons with sound effects edited by Treg Brown
Category:Cartoons produced by Leon Schlesinger
Category:Cartoons in a.a.p. package