What's Opera, Doc?

"What's Opera, Doc?" is a 1957 American animated short film directed by Chuck Jones, produced by Leon Schlesinger Productions and released by Warner Bros. This cartoon is a parody of Richard Wagner's opera "Siegfried," set to the composer's music, and stars Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. The film begins with Elmer Fudd, dressed as a knight, riding a horse through a snowy landscape. His mission is to capture the "wascally wabbit" - Bugs Bunny, dressed as the Valkyrie Brunnhilde, in a blonde wig and a flowing gown. Elmer sings "Deutschlandlied" and other tunes while declaring his intention to capture Bugs, who is hiding in a hollowed-out cave. As Elmer approaches the cave, Bugs emerges in a dramatic fashion, singing a few bars of the "Valkyrie's theme." Confused and intimidated by Bugs' operatic performance, Elmer retreats and decides to gather more information about his enemy. He consults a book on Wagner's opera and begins to study the plot. Meanwhile, Bugs and Elmer engage in a series of comedic misadventures. Bugs sings and dances through the landscape, using his wits and cunning to evade Elmer's snares. At one point, he even disguises himself as the "Rhine Maidens," singing a trio with Elmer, who is completely oblivious to the fact that he is interacting with his own foe. As the story unfolds, Elmer becomes increasingly obsessed with capturing Bugs. He dresses up in various costumes, including a suit of armor and a horned helmet, in the hopes of fooling his enemy. However, Bugs is always one step ahead, using his quick wit and agility to outmaneuver Elmer at every turn. One of the most memorable moments in the cartoon occurs when Elmer and Bugs have a dramatic confrontation in front of a large, roaring waterfall. Elmer, dressed in his knight's armor, sings a powerful aria, demanding that Bugs surrender himself. However, Bugs just shrugs and says "What's up, Doc?" in response to Elmer's challenge. Despite the absurdity of the situation, Elmer is completely serious in his pursuit of Bugs. He is driven by a zealous desire to capture the "wascally wabbit" and emerges from the confrontation with his dignity slightly bruised. However, Bugs emerges victorious, escaping Elmer's clutches with a flourish. The cartoon ends with Elmer, still dressed in his knight's armor, wandering through the snowy landscape, muttering to himself about the elusive nature of his enemy. Bugs, meanwhile, appears on screen once more, delivering the famous line "What's opera, Doc?" and winking at the camera. The cartoon ends with a shot of the Warner Bros. water tower, as the audience is left to ponder the absurdity and wit of this animated masterpiece. Overall, "What's Opera, Doc?" is a true classic of American animation, showcasing the talents of Chuck Jones and his team. The use of Wagner's music in the cartoon adds an extra layer of complexity and sophistication, while the witty banter and comedic misunderstandings provide plenty of laughs for the audience. This cartoon is a testament to the enduring power of wit and absurdity in animation and remains a beloved classic to this day.