The Tortoise and the Hare

The Tortoise and the Hare

Year: 1935

Runtime: 9 mins

Language: English

Director: Wilfred Jackson

FantasyFamilyAnimation

After the boastful hare pauses to brag, the steady tortoise crosses the finish line first. Released on January 5, 1935 by United Artists, the Disney‑produced short was directed by Wilfred Jackson and adapts Aesop’s classic fable. It earned the 1934 Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons and is cited as an early influence on Bugs Bunny.

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Timeline & Setting – The Tortoise and the Hare (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Tortoise and the Hare (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Countryside Road Racecourse, Near a Girls' School

The race unfolds along a winding country road that serves as the course. Spectators line the route, and at one point Toby passes a girls' school and a sports field where the girls watch and cheer. The pastoral setting contrasts with the energetic competition, highlighting the clash between speed and steady endurance.

🏁 Race 🏞️ Countryside 🏫 School Nearby 👥 Crowd

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

Main Characters – The Tortoise and the Hare (1935)

Meet the key characters of The Tortoise and the Hare (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Toby Tortoise (Eddie Holden)

Toby is teased for being slow, yet he exhibits surprising versatility with his ability to stretch, which proves useful at key moments. He remains calm, determined, and focused on finishing the race regardless of distractions. His patience and steady pace contrast with Max's flashier speed, highlighting perseverance over bravado. The outcome shows Toby wins by a narrow margin, reinforcing the value of determination.

🏁 Determination

Max Hare (Ned Norton)

Max is the heavy favorite: cocky, athletic, and incredibly fast. He aims to humiliate Toby and believes speed will guarantee victory, even resorting to napping and flirting with the girls to distract others. He underestimates Toby until the final stretch, when Toby closes the gap. Ultimately, Max loses by a neck, underscoring that arrogance can backfire.

😤 Hubris

Starter (Pinto Colvig)

Starter begins the race, signaling the start of the competition and framing the event's tone. Though uncredited in the summary, his role sets the pace for the ensuing dash and the spectators' anticipation.

🎯 Starter

Miss Cottontail Girl (Marcellite Garner)

Miss Cottontail Girl is part of the group of female bunnies near the course, contributing to the lively crowd atmosphere. Her presence emphasizes the social setting of the race and the distractions that come with spectator engagement.

🎀 Spectacle

Girl Bunny (Dorothy Compton)

Dorothy Compton voices a girl bunny who is part of the crowd witnessing the race. Her character helps illustrate the social environment around the competition and the cheering that motivates or distracts the racers.

🐇 Audience

Girl Bunny (Mary Moder)

Mary Moder provides the voice for another girl bunny in the crowd. This character contributes to the bustling spectator presence, underscoring the communal excitement of the event.

👯‍♀️ Cheer

Girl Bunny (Beatrice Hagen)

Beatrice Hagen voices a third girl bunny among the spectators. The trio of girl bunnies helps create a lively, social atmosphere that frames the race's drama.

🎉 Cheer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

Major Themes – The Tortoise and the Hare (1935)

Explore the central themes of The Tortoise and the Hare (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏁 Perseverance

Perseverance drives the story as Toby keeps moving forward despite taunts and setbacks. He wields a surprising stretch to gain ground at key moments, turning a perceived disadvantage into an advantage. The race emphasizes consistent effort over flashiness, rewarding steady progress. In the end, Toby's persistence secures a narrow victory, proving that patience can triumph over speed.

😤 Hubris

Max Hare embodies overconfidence, flaunting his speed and mocking Toby. He naps to humiliate his competition and flirts with distractions, convinced victory is assured. His arrogance creates openings for Toby to close the gap, illustrating how pride can blind judgment. The conclusion reinforces the moral that hubris can undermine success.

🎯 Strategy

The race showcases strategic thinking, balancing pace, timing, and focus. Max's deceptive bravado contrasts with Toby's patient discipline and use of unique abilities at crucial moments. The tension comes from planning versus impulse, with Toby adapting to the race dynamics to maintain momentum. The final result suggests that well-executed strategy, aligned with perseverance, can prevail over raw talent.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:11

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The Tortoise and the Hare Summary

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The Tortoise and the Hare Summary

The Tortoise and the Hare Timeline

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The Tortoise and the Hare Timeline

More About The Tortoise and the Hare

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