Today's Funnies: 'What's Opera, Doc?'

Joe C Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 07:38 AM EST

I just realized that I quoted from the Rabbit of Seville instead of WHat's Opera, Doc? Ah, the Looney Tunes, I loved them. Question: Did anybody else out there hate Tweety Bird as much as I did? I always wanted Sylvester to eat him!

Howard Wed, Jul 11, 2007 at 01:06 AM EST

I know it's a term that gets bandied about a lot, but in case you were wondering how much brilliance you can fit in six and a half minutes, there's your answer.

Rick Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 06:05 PM EST

Chalk me up for preferring Rabbit of Seville, although this too is great. My other favorites are "Rabbit Seasoning" [part 2 of the duck season-rabbit season trilogy] and Bully for Bugs. Bugs actually takes a few lumps in that one, which makes victory sweeter. Also check out "Cheese Chasers", Chuck Jones masterpiece about the perils of getting too much of a good thing.

Deborah Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 03:53 PM EST

Oh thanks so much for that little piece of my childhood!! "Kill da wabbit, kill da wabbit!!" I haven't seen this clip in years.

Meier Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 03:34 PM EST

"Typhoons! Hurwacanes! Uthquakes!... SMOG!!!" Brilliant!
Chuck Jones is one of my all-time heroes. Once I'm able to ignore The WB's excessive use of Michigan J. Frog (or for that matter, Dave Chappelle's tagging of how racist a character he is), "One Froggy Evening" has me barrelling over with laughter every time.
... It's been such a long time since I've seen "Knighty-Knight Bugs." I got some YouTube searching to do.

Cranky Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 02:37 PM EST

Go to YouTube and check out "Bully For Bugs" and "Hillbilly Hare". Those are two of my other favorites. I watched them just now and noticed that they are full of guns and explosions, so you don't see them on TV. I watched Bugs every Saturday morning of my entire childhood and have never had the urge to blow anything up. Do they think kids are really going to construct an elaborate setup involving axle grease, matches, sandpaper, glue and a barrel of TNT??

Martha Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 02:28 PM EST

Absolutely the best cartoon ever. I think it's even better than the "Figaro" lampoon because Wagner lends himself so well to caricature. So many great quotes...and Bugs' final line ("Whadja expect in an opera? A happy ending?") is priceless. Thanks for the afternoon pick-me-up.

GT Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 02:22 PM EST

I agree with you on that one Cranky. It is really too bad they don't show these much any more. While the cartoon violence is hilarious it is the stories, the dialogue and the comic timing that really make these cartoons great.

cranky Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 02:13 PM EST

They really truly don't make them like this any more. A lot of BB cartoons are terribly un-PC and don't get shown any more, which is a shame. They are so hilarious and timeless. I agree that the unbelievably fat horse is a highlight of this one. Probably a subtle dig at the traditionally massive opera divas singing ingenue roles.

AA Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 12:31 PM EST

Sorry, Quite the culture spectrum, not Quote.

AA Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 12:31 PM EST

Sorry, Quite the culture spectrum, not Quote.

AA Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

I too love Rabbit of Seville, and actually saw our local symphony put on a Bugs Bunny show that just rocked. However, my all time favourite is the Hillbilly Hare. I just loved those Hillbillies and that square dance. Quote the culture spectrum for Bugs. More drag, too.

Bexter Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

Great, now I can add 'Kill da wabbit' to the musical running in my head featuring 'Spider pig, spider pig' from The Simpsons Movie.

to harry Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 11:53 AM EST

I don't know the name of the cartoon, but I think the aria is the opening piece from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.

myma Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 11:40 AM EST

Pure Genius. Or should I say, Wile E. Coyote Super Genius.

"And I shall give you a sample!"

Jill Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 11:39 AM EST

I just recently purchased the Looney Tunes DVDs and have been nostalgic ever since. My 9 year old son loves them too. This one and the Rabbit of Seville were always my favorites as well. You gotta love Bugs massaging Fudd's bald head with that look on his face and the music playing.

escargot Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 11:28 AM EST

Loved this one as a kid. First time I saw Apocalypse Now, I almost laughed out loud when "Valkyries" started playing. Of course, I had to sing "kill da wabbit" in my head!

Stephanie T. Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 10:54 AM EST

Kill the waaabit, kill the waaabit, kill the waabit, kill the wabit! lol! This is one of the funniest Looney Tunes cartoons of all time. lol!

C B H Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 10:25 AM EST

We gamer geeks reference many things. Many a D&D session include references to things like Monty Python or Tarantino movies. Yes, even Bugs and Elmer don't escape our net. It's a call-and-response thing - - "Spear and magic helmet?" Someone must respond affirmatively: "Spear and magic helmet!" Thank you, Chuck Jones.

HardyHar Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 10:20 AM EST

Many thanks GT. What a hoot! Long Haired Hare unleashes the great talents of writers and the extraordinary voice talents of Mel Blanc.
Now this is how you do funny!!

GT Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 09:36 AM EST

harry, the cartoon you are looking for is called Long-Haired Hare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61aIYtvf1M

Vicky Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 09:12 AM EST

I really need to get the Looney Toons dvds. Do they even play the cartoons on TV anymore? I grew up on these and couldn't imagine my kids not doing the same. Oh and I too prefer Rabbit of Seville.

khrystyne Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 08:26 AM EST

Almost as good as "The Dot and the Line."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmSbdvzbOzY

harry Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 08:24 AM EST

Now I remember a Buggs bunny cartoon were Buggs sought revenge on a Opera singer who was disturbing his sleep. He posed as the famous conducter Leopold and had the guy sing a note for about 5mins(to torturous effect). I can't for the life of me remember what the name of that number. who can help me out?

hayley Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 08:22 AM EST

this was great... elmer makes me laugh every time he talks. what's with the horse being SO FAT?

GT Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:59 AM EST

Personally I prefer The Rabbit of Seville. The Hunter's Trilogy is great too.

Joe C Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:49 AM EST

I'll always remember this exchange:

Elmer: Ooooh, wait till I kill the waaaaaaabitt!

Bugs(dressed in drag): Whaaaaaat, would you want with a waaaaaaabitt?/Can't you seeeeeeee that I'm much sweeter/I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, you're little senorita!

Lol! I won't get this tune out of my head all day!

FLIPPER Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:42 AM EST

I grew up on Bugs and all the great classical music that went with many of these cartoons. A little comedy mixed with culture goes a long way. People will still enjoy these gems a hundred years from now and onward.
Great nostalgia!

Stephanie Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:36 AM EST

I almost forgot:

Garth: "Did you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he dressed up like a girl bunny?"

(long pause, and then a chuckle) Wayne: "No, he he, no, a ha ha ha ha ha ha.... No."

Garth: "Neither did I, I was, uh, just asking."

Stephanie Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:33 AM EST

Man, Elmer has got quite the tenor voice! I about fell out of my chair with the "Nowth winds bwowh! Souwth winds bwowh!" Barbara Walters could not have done it better.

Janice Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 07:08 AM EST

This made my day - I'm gonna walk around the office all morning singing "Kill da Wabbit."

Houstonian Jen in Baltimore Tue, Jul 10, 2007 at 06:51 AM EST

Thank you for posting the video. This was seriously one of the reasons I got into listening to and later, singing classical music. They don't make them like they used to. (By the way, Brunhilde's big horse cracks me up every time!)