In 1945, animators were searching for a new character to antagonize Bugs Bunny and give Elmer a break. Yosemite Sam got the job. He was less dimwitted and more ill tempered than Elmer, but by no means smart enough to get the best of Bugs. While not to be considered bright, Sam's lexicon contained more verbal ability than Elmer (mostly in the form of colloquialisms) which allowed for much more dynamic conversation between him and bugs. Sam was less of a pushover, more aggressive and violent, and much more deserving of Bugs' machinations. Bugs recognizes that Sam can't resist a challenge nor can he resist his desire to get even, and that proves to be his downfall in many of his films.

 

High Diving Hare 1.1
1948 directed by Friz Freleng
Featuring Bug Bunny and Yosemite Sam

Bugs Bunny is drumming up business for a vaudeville show in a remote western town. When the main attraction Fearless Freep and his high-dive act cancels, an angered Sam insists on seeing the high-diving act and forces Bugs at gunpoint to the top of a high-dive platform. But Bugs manages to pull out all his tricks and stops, and it is Sam who does all the diving.

Trivia

• One of the posters in the background is for "Frizby the Magician", a reference to director Friz Freleng.
• When Sam says, "Open up that door...Notice I didn't say Richard" he's referring to the record "Open the Door, Richard" by saxophonist Jack McVea. In 1947 it was the No. 1 song on Billboard's Honor Roll of Hits and became a runaway pop sensation.

Earworms

• I paid my four bits to see the high divin’ act, and I’m a gonna see the high divin’ act.
  

 

Ballot Box Bunny 1.1
1950 directed by Friz Freleng
Featuring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam

Yosemite Sam is running for mayor of a small town, promising to rid the town of every last rabbit if elected. Bugs decides to run against him. The two compete violently including a classic gag involving an explosively rigged piano.

Trivia

• Bugs starts this short drinking carrot juice, rather then eating a carrot.
• In keeping with the campaign theme, Bugs quotes Theodore Roosevelt's famous "I speak softly, but carry a BIG stick!" However, Sam, declares that he “speaks loud and carries "a BIIIIIIIIIIGGER stick — and I use it too!"
• Sam has the piano wired to explode when a particular key is played. Bugs purposely misses the rigged key by misplaying. The tune is the melody line from an Irish song from the 1800s called (Believe Me) If All Those Endearing Young Charms. This gag was previously used, with the same tune and a bomb on the same note, in the Private Snafu short "Booby Traps," and would later be used in the 1957 Show Biz Bugs, as well in the 1965 Road Runner cartoon Rushing Roulette.
• The sheet music shows the correct notes in the Key of C for the melody line with the rigged note (the C above middle C clearly pointed out in red). Bugs actually plays that key but on the piano the rigged key is the B above middle C. It actually says "Endearing Young Charms" on the sheet music.
  

 

Hillbilly Hare 3.1
1950 directed by Robert McKimson
Featuring Bugs Bunny and Curt and Punkin'head Martin

After having several of their hunting attempts foiled, hillbilly brothers Curt and Punkin'head Martin are determined to get revenge on Bugs Bunny for their humiliation. But Bugs easily outsmarts them and eventually leads them into a violent square dance involving repeated slapstick comedy gags.

 

Sahara Hare 4.1
1955 directed by Friz Freleng
Featuring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam

Bugs pops up out from underground, thinking he has reached Miami Beach, when in reality he is in the Sahara Desert. Sam comes upon Bugs’ tracks and resolves himself to get the trespasser.

Trivia

• Daffy Duck makes a cameo appearance at the end as he too thinks he is in Miami Beach.

Earworms

• When I say whoa, I mean Whoa!
  

 

Captain Hareblower DVD1
1954 directed by Friz Freleng
Featuring Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam

Pirate Yosemite Sam spots a ship and demands its surrender. All of the crewmen abandon ship, leaving only Bugs Bunny, a stowaway in a box full of carrots. Bugs refuses to give up and a battle ensues. This short ends similarly to Buccaneer Bunny.

Trivia

• The title is a reference to a 1951 naval adventure film called Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N