The magician’s rabbit in Pixar’s “Presto” is named Alec. He is the hungry, clever rabbit whose refusal to cooperate drives the short’s escalating comedy.
“Presto” follows magician Presto DiGiotagione as he prepares to perform a hat trick. Alec is locked in a cage and cannot reach his carrot, so he sabotages the act until Presto feeds him. The magician’s top hat is magically connected to a second hat backstage, allowing Alec to manipulate objects and turn Presto’s performance into a series of humiliating accidents.
Alec’s full name is Alec Azam, a playful name that echoes the magic word “alakazam.” The rabbit is sometimes confused with the title character, but “Presto” is the magician’s stage name and the short’s title—not the rabbit’s name. Alec also functions as the film’s cartoon trickster, drawing on influences such as Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and classic Tex Avery cartoons.
Written and directed by Doug Sweetland, “Presto” premiered in 2008 and played before “WALL-E.” It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.