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''What's Opera, Doc?'': 8 facts you may not have known!
This is one of the best cartoons of all time.
LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements are ™ of & © WBEI
Image: LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements are ™ of & © WBEI
Hey Mack, how 'bout something a little... high brow for a change?
With What's Opera, Doc? director Chuck Jones brought Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd into the rich history of Western classical music, elevating the characters and the comedy in the process.
It's widely regarded as one of the best cartoons of all time, so let's take a closer look at What's Opera, Doc? with these 8 interesting facts that might be new to you! Be sure to let us know in the comments section whether this is your favorite Bugs short.
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*available in most MeTV markets1. National Film Registry
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This is the first ever Merrie Melodies short to be inducted into the National Film Registry. The short was chosen for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." We say it's all three!
2. Fantasia
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The opening sequence of this cartoon, with Elmer's giant shadow cast upon a rockface, is a reference to/parody of Disney's Fantasia. Specifically, the scene recalls that movie's "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence.
3. Curtains for Elmer
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Despite using the character prominently in this short, Chuck Jones never directed another Elmer Fudd cartoon again!
4. Pressed for Time
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Typically, Warner Bros. allotted five weeks for the completion of each Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies short. However, Chuck Jones knew that this cartoon's quality demanded more time, so he cut production short on the Road Runner short "Zoom and Bored." They wrapped that toon in three weeks, allowing for an additional two tacked onto the schedule for "What's Opera, Doc?"
5. Extreme Edits
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There are 104 cuts in this movie. According to Chuck Jones, this number is unusually high for a short, due to the cinematic nature of "What's Opera, Doc?"
6. Real Ballet
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For the ballet sequences, the animators studied Tatiana Riabouchinska and David Lichine. Both dancers also served as reference models for Disney's Fantasia.
7. Bugs is Beaten
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This is one of only three cartoons where Elmer Fudd is "victorious" over Bugs Bunny by the end. However, this is the only one where Elmer regrets his win over the wascally wabbit.
8. What a Drag!
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Does something seem... familiar to you? Bugs Bunny loves playing dress up, but this isn't even the first time he has donned a Valkyrie costume. That came five years earlier in 1945's "Herr Meets Hare."
