On April 30, 1938, the iconic animated short film "Porky's Hare Hunt" was released by Warner Bros. Pictures. This Looney Tunes cartoon, directed by Ben "Bugs" Hardaway and Cal Dalton, is significant because it introduced an early version of Bugs Bunny, one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in animation history.

In the short, Porky Pig goes hunting and encounters a wacky, gray rabbit who outsmarts and torments him at every turn. While this rabbit shares some similarities with the Bugs Bunny we know today, such as his mischievous nature and his ability to break the fourth wall, there are also notable differences in his appearance and personality.

This early rabbit prototype, sometimes referred to as "Happy Rabbit," had a more elongated and pointy face compared to the rounder, modern Bugs Bunny design. He also lacked the distinctive carrot-chewing and "What's up, Doc?" catchphrase that would later become synonymous with the character.

Despite these differences, "Porky's Hare Hunt" laid the groundwork for the development of Bugs Bunny, who would eventually make his official debut in the 1940 short "A Wild Hare." The success of this early rabbit character encouraged animators to refine and evolve his design and personality, ultimately resulting in the wise-cracking, carrot-munching Bugs Bunny we know and love today.

The creation of Bugs Bunny and his enduring popularity has had a profound impact on the world of animation and popular culture as a whole, cementing "Porky's Hare Hunt" as a significant milestone in film and animation history.