WHEN THE FAT LADY SINGS

(Part of the following was e-mailed to a friend who had collated stats on a trivia quiz.)

Recently I was reminded again of widespread cultural deprivations on matters we Baby-Boomers now take for granted. Today's kids and even younger adults seem terribly isolated now from the many cultural things that we used to share with adults, like cartoons, especially the Warner Bros./Bugs Bunny/Porky Pig/Daffy Duck/Elmer Fudd stuff. Those wonderful cartoons were effective on two levels, both for kids and adults. The "double-entendre" and satirical stuff only adults might get, but they were powerful latent influences for kids our age as well.

FOR EXAMPLE:

The phrase, "it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" is an obvious reference to amply-built Kirsten Flagstad's performances in Wagnerian operas. However, I have never seen a Wagner opera in full tilt. I have seen some film clips of Flagstad's performances in the horned helmet and blonde braids, etc., but only in passing. HOWEVER, I have seen “What’s Opera, Doc,” a 1957 Bugs Bunny cartoon featuring Elmer Fudd singing the Götterdämmerung with the ever-stronger lyric, "Kill de wabbit!”  Bugs is, of course, attractively dolled up with horned helmet, breastplates and blonde pigtails, singing the Lied as Flagstad did!

Totally hilarious! AND, THAT is how I "know" Wagnerian opera and how I know what the "fat lady" phrase means. I have known that ever since I first heard the phrase, INSTANTLY! I knew it as a kid. Do today's children know any of that? I doubt it. That is just but one of many examples, and I have no idea how we might infuse that cultural knowledge into anyone. Today's cartoons are an abomination. I would NEVER let a child of mine watch such crap. NEVER!

We just had to "be" there, and I am really grateful I was.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Opera,_Doc%3F