Director Tex Avery times the comedy in A Wild Hare with the precision of a finely tuned clock. It’s one of the reasons why, eighty-five years later, this Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon is still so wonderful.

Not only is A Wild Hare brimming with perfectly crafted cartoon comedy, but it’s also considered to be the first official appearance of Bugs Bunny, even though iterations of the character had appeared in earlier cartoons. The short was released on July 27, 1940, a date that’s celebrated as Bugs Bunny’s birthday.

Author Michael Barrier writes in his book, Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age: “That is probably the best choice for a birthdate for Bugs. The Bugs Bunny of A Wild Hare does not differ radically from the Bugs Bunny of Elmer’s Candid Camera, but he is instantly recognizable as Bugs Bunny, whereas the rabbit in Candid Camera is not.”

A Wild Hare opens with Elmer, in what would become his trademark move and catchphrase: tiptoeing through the woods with his shotgun and breaking the fourth wall to turn to the audience and whisper: “Shhh. Be vewy, vewy quiet. I’m hunting wabbits.”

He comes across a “wabbit hole,” and leaves a carrot just outside of it. This is followed by beautiful animation of Bugs’ hand emerging from the hole to inspect the carrot delicately, pulling it back into the hole, and then continuing to slowly dance his fingers outside of the hole, as Elmer points his gun at the hole. Bugs yanks it inside in a tug-of-war that ends with Elmer’s gun tied in a knot.

Frustrated, Elmer then tries digging into the rabbit hole, which is when Bugs finally emerges. Avery and his artists, including Rich Hogan, who crafted the story, wisely delay the appearance of Bugs, building anticipation for the laughter.

Bugs knocks on Elmer’s head, chomps on his carrot, and cooly asks, “What’s Up Doc?” to Elmer. It was the first time the character would deliver this now iconic line. Avery is credited with coming up with “What’s Up Doc?,” noting that it was a common phrase in his home state of Texas.

What follows is Bugs tormenting Elmer as the hunter attempts to catch him. This includes Elmer setting his “wabbit twap,” which consists of a light-up, blinking sign pointing to the carrot inside. Bugs pulls a switcheroo, and Elmer finds a skunk.

Bugs eventually decides to give Elmer a good shot at him under a tree, though strategically moving away from some possible, more accurately targeted, bird poop from above. This is followed by a hysterically overacted death scene from Bugs (“Everything’s gettin’ dark!”). Thinking he’s a murderer, Elmer goes into hysterics, after which Bugs “comes back to life,” kicks Elmer, and ballet dances off behind a tree.

A frustrated Elmer, going somewhat crazy, wanders off into the woods yelling, “Wabbits! Wabbits!”

Bugs then declares, “Ya know? I think the poor guy’s screwy!” and then, playing his carrot like a fife, marches off toward his rabbit hole as the short concludes.

Avery’s brilliant comedic skills, seen throughout his career, are on full display here, particularly his ability to build a joke to its crescendo, as in this exchange between Bugs and Elmer:

Elmer says, “Pardon me, but you know you look just like a wabbit,” to which Bugs responds, “Eh, c’mere.” Elmer moves closer and Bugs says, “Listen, Doc. Now, don’t spread this around…but…uh…confidentially…,” Bugs then shouts in Elmer’s ear, “I AM A WABBIT!”

From Elmer’s innocent asides to the camera to Bugs’ more knowingly breaking that fourth wall, A Wild Hare is also filled with incredible character animation from such talents as Virgil Ross, Charles McKimson, and Robert McKimson, among others.

And all of these laughs are set against lovely, autumnal backgrounds by John Didrik Johnson.

A Wild Hare and Bugs Bunny are both celebrating 85 years this summer. The short stands as a shining example of one of animation’s brightest stars during his early days in an enduring Warner Bros. cartoon comedy classic.

Happy Birthday, Bugs!