WHAT'S OPERA, DOC? (Warner Brothers, 1957)

WHAT'S OPERA, DOC? is a "Merrie Melodies" cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones. The film features Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in a seven-minute parody of composer Richard Wagner's operas. The stunning background art is by Maurice Noble.

Originally released to theaters by Warner Bros. on July 6, 1957, What's Opera, Doc? features the speaking and singing voices of Mel Blanc as Bugs and Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer. The short is also sometimes informally referred to as "Kill the Wabbit," after the line sung by Fudd to the tune of Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries."

In 1994, What's Opera, Doc? was voted #1 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time.

You can watch WHAT'S OPERA, DOC? thanks to YouTube:


Now, savor the sumptuous details of Maurice Noble's epic background art, including several recreated pan B/Gs. The color palettes are incredible. The style is extravagantly modern. The use of perspective and lighting is nothing short of brilliant. It's a landmark film!