What's Opera, Doc? (1957)

Director:

Chuck Jones

Writer:

Michael Maltese (story)

Release Date:

6 July 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Music

Plot:

Bugs is in drag as the Valkyrie Brunhilde who sits on an overwieght horse. "She" is pursued by Elmer playing the demigod "Siegfried".

Plot Keywords:

Lightning | Opera | Disguise | Bugs Bunny | Elmer Fudd

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Mel Blanc

...

Bugs Bunny as Brunhilde (voice)

Runtime:

7 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) | UK:U

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

In animation historian Jerry Beck's 1994 poll of animators, film historians and directors, this cartoon was selected as the #1 cartoon of all time.

Quotes:

Elmer Fudd as Siegfried: Yes, magic helmet and I'll give you a sample.
[summons lightning that strikes Bugs]
Bugs Bunny: Bye-yeee!
[quickly runs off]
Elmer Fudd as Siegfried: Dat was da wabbit!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Behind the Tunes: Forever Befuddled (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Siegfried: Horn Call

Not hilarious, but stylish, intelligent, funny and very well put to the music

In the style of a classic opera, Elmer Fudd, resplendent with magic helmet, seeks to kill the rabbit Bugs Bunny. However, dressing as an opera dame, Bugs attempts to outsmart and avoid Fudd the best he can. However, can he make the ruse last.

In terms of laughs, this is by no means Bugs's funniest cartoon. However it is easily one of my favourites of his simply because it is not a basic chase-em-up style comedy that relies on physical gags. In fact the reason I love this cartoon is part of the reason it isn't funny - simply because it is almost too clever to waste time making me roar with easy laughs. The plot is perfectly set to the music and it is surprisingly emotional for it. Bugs does his usual dressing up stuff but the music gives it all an edge it hasn't had before - and it is very interesting.

My favourite thing about this short is the style with which it is delivered. Look at some of the WB cartoons of the mid-sixties and you'd never believe those same drab animations could come from the same studio as this. Visually it is imaginative, style and very impressive - it easily matches the epic feel of the music. So much care has been put into it that it is difficult not to feel impressed by the look of the whole cartoon.

Fudd is a good character and here merges his usual meek personae with the epic operatic warrior to good effect. Bugs is his usual tricky self but he is down played a little bit as the cartoon seems less concerned about hilarity than about a witty, quality product. The two of them are adapted perfectly to the music and the cartoon is great with them.

Overall this is not the funniest of Bugs' shorts but it is easily my favourite. The cartoon is perfectly set to the music and it is intelligent and quite amusing. The look of the film is rich and well designed and fits the music really well - visually it is impressive, but then so is the whole cartoon.