Line #16 WesternAnimation/TheTortoiseAndTheHare


1	"The Tortoise and the Hare" is a [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation 1935]] ''WesternAnimation/SillySymphonies'' short, 49th in that series, and is a milestone short in the WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts lineup.
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3	The story is a basic adaptation of Aesop's classic fable of ''Literature/TheTortoiseAndTheHare'', centered around the cocky speedster Max Hare, competing with the friendly but slow-witted Toby Tortoise. However, what sets this short apart is not its bare-bone story, but rather what it introduced into cartoons. The characters, while simplistic and one-dimensional, were a fairly good advancement as far as characterization went for Disney shorts of the time period. Another important aspect the short helped pioneer was the use of faster speed in cartoons, setting an example that would be copied by the ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' studio in some of their own cartoons. Another thing this short is notable for is Max Hare being the inspiration for the character of WesternAnimation/BugsBunny, as claimed by Creator/TexAvery.
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5	The short was a hit when it was released, earning the 1935 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward for cartoon short subjects. The short was popular enough to receive a follow-up in 1936, "Toby Tortoise Returns", featuring a rematch between Max and Toby, but with a boxing match rather than a race. The short is particularly interesting in that it features not only an original story not based on a previous fable or myth, it was Disney's most cartoony short ever done since the earliest days of WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse, with lots of strong exaggeration, cartoony gags and a non-sentimental tone that make it feel like a proto-WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes short -- quite ironic when one realizes the Looney Tunes were only mildly cartoony during that time, instead trying to fruitlessly ape Disney's traditional short cartoons in terms of pathos and storytelling. "Returns" was also notable for being the first major animation assignment of Creator/WardKimball, one of Creator/DisneysNineOldMen and noted for being Disney's most cartoony director, which is probably why this short turned out so different from a typical Disney cartoon.
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7	Curiously, a similar cartoon would be made to this in 1938 by ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' director Creator/BobClampett, a short cartoon called "WesternAnimation/PorkyAndDaffy", which also features a boxing match and decidedly cartoony gags. Perhaps the short was, shall we say, an "inspiration" for Mr. Clampett?
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10	!!"The Tortoise and the Hare" & "Toby Tortoise Returns" provides examples of:
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12	* {{Allegory}}: The true message of the short could be seen as this: Don't get overconfident because it can lead to underestimating your opponent, which can be the biggest mistake anyone can make in a competition.
13	* AnimationBump: The original cartoon isn't badly animated, but it looks pretty shabby when you compare it to "Toby Tortoise Returns".
14	* BreakingTheFourthWall: When Toby comes across Max sleeping, he turns to the audience, and shushes them.
15	* TheCameo:
16	** The bunny girls that swoon over Max make a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit''.
17	** Many other ''Silly Symphonies'' characters appear in the sequel short, including Jenny Wren from "[[WesternAnimation/WhoKilledCockRobin1935 Who Killed Cock Robin?]]", the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, Elmer Elephant and Tillie Tiger.
18	** When Jenny arrives, she steals the heart of everyone in the audience, among them Horace Horsecollar, WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} and WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck.
19	* CaptainErsatz: As noted above, WesternAnimation/BugsBunny is essentially a more fleshed-out interpretation of Max Hare.
20	* CurbStompBattle: Toby is utterly hopeless at beating Max in "Returns", until Max stuffs fireworks and firecrackers into his shell, which upon lighting send Toby flying, finally allowing him to ([[HoistByHisOwnPetard inadvertently]]) get the upper hand.
21	* CurbstompCushion: This is provoked by Toby hiding inside his shell, which Max is unable to penetrate (he gets a mouse trap to the hand when he tries to pull Toby out).
22	* DenserAndWackier: Compared to the usual more earnest or sweet-natured ''Silly Symphonies'' fare, these two shorts, but especially the second, are much more odd-ball in tone, even getting in a few risqué jokes.
23	* DistractedByTheSexy: Max Hare's ultimate undoing in the first short, spending the entire latter half of the cartoon showboating for four young female bunnies.
24	* DoubleEntendre: Delivered by Mae West [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed ersatz]] [[MsFanservice Jenny Wren]] to Toby when he is knocked out of the ring and needs some motivation.
25	-->'''Jenny:''' I like a man that takes his time...
26	* GoodIsDumb: Toby Tortoise is at least rather slow-minded and clumsy. However, he prevails by not being insanely arrogant as Max Hare is.
27	* HammerSpace: Toby's small shell is capable of holding lots of firecrackers, a mouse-trap, a fair amount of water, and a diving helmet!
28	* {{Jerkass}}: Max Hare.
29	* MetaphorIsMyMiddleName:
30	-->'''Girl Rabbit:''' Don't you think you'd better go? The tortoise has the lead.\
31	'''Max Hare:''' Say, I've lots of time to play. My middle name is "Speed."
32	* MickeyMousing: At some parts of "Toby Tortoise Returns".
33	* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Max Hare is based on boxer Max Baer.
34	* NotHisSled: Like in the source material, Max Hare stops under a tree to take a nap. When Toby manages to catch up, he sneaks past to not wake him up. Max comes to immediately and quickly passes Toby before the latter could take advantage. It takes Max getting distracted by several ladies before Toby can take an immensive lead.
35	* RhymesOnADime: A Silly Symphonies trademark, mainly used by Max and the girl bunnies.
36	* SignatureLaugh: Max Hare's "Ha-HA ha-HA ha-HA!"
37	* SlowerThanASnail: In one shot, Toby has snails literally running circles around him.
38	* SmallNameBigEgo: In both shorts, Max' biggest undoing is less Toby himself and more his extreme overconfidence. He actually has to give Toby an opening several times over by showing off for him to finally lose the upper hand.
39	* SmellySkunk: Appears as a gag in the first short: a pair of skunks in the audience get a bleacher all to themselves.
40	* SuperSpeed: A trait of Max Hare. His speed is fast enough to where the wind from it can completely uproot a tree!
41	* WheelOFeet: A proto-example is done by Max Hare.
42	* ZanyCartoon: "Toby Tortoise Returns", a rarity for Disney cartoons in general.

Context WesternAnimation / TheTortoiseAndTheHare