The first characters in my life - cartoons

I love cartoons. Especially the old ones - they're classics. Some of them may not have been very politically correct - but hey, I was a kid. The country was immune from even thinking about such things.

I'm watching the Oscars as I write this - and they're awarding the little statue for Best Animated Short Film. Such talent. Frozen wins the full length animated film. It's times like this that I miss my Little Sis, Chiya who moved back to Boston to live with her mom. I lost my excuse to go to animated films...plus I miss the kid.


bugs does the Monster's hair

When I get the chance, I watch a few Looney Tunes on cable. It's a walk down memory lane. I find cartoons relaxing. Laughing seems to do that. Last week I saw one of my fave Bugs Bunny bits- Hairdresser.  It's about a minute long - so cute. I love Bug's hairdresser voice - I wonder why my stylist Sarah doesn't talk like that. Kinda like the old Palmolive commercials - Madge, "You're soaking in it." Can you imagine nail salons trying to get away with that?

Another cartoon buddy of mine was good 'ol Foghorn Leghorn. And his little buddy the chicken hawk. Another cute clip. Baseball. We all grew up with Foghorns in our lives, didn't we? That coach, teacher or family friend.

I got on board the original Sherman and Peabody train - during the Bullwinkle and Moose show. There is a Peabody movie coming out soon. Watch a clip of this if you're interested. Peabody.  I was always attracted to the dog cartoons - especially this one where the dog is the reversing places with the master.

Tell me this Tom and Jerry Ducky Cartoon isn't the cutest most adorable thing evah. The little quacky duck gets me every time.

To my heros, Popeye (a short clip of laughs only) and Speedy Gonzales - I wish I could have been more like you....(fast, strong and brave). I'd watch you, put on my new PF Flyer tennis shoes and run like the wind (in my mind). I begged my mom to buy spinach. I didn't try to squeeze it into my mouth right from the can though. I wasn't that dumb. I was dumb enough to think canned spinach would taste good and make my muscles bulge. Ha. Ick.

Tex Avery - credit Wikipedia

Frederick Bean "Tex" Avery was a cartoon genius - animator, director, voice actor - he did it all. Avery did my all time fave cartoon - Droopy. Here's a short clip. Don't worry - the bad guy isn't really dead. Creston's Dan Miller and I have had many a deep discussion about just which Droopy episode is truly the bestest. I think there might have been liquor involved.

Oh Wolfie - My college roomie Vicki and I used to get such a kick out of this all those years ago. Then when Amy was born - those early feedings again came during cartoon time. Do you think that might have something to do with how the kid has turned out? Plus now that Paul and I are ballroom dancing fools - I appreciate this clip even more.

Get in touch with your inner child. Find more reasons to laugh this week.

Ash Wednesday is coming right up. Even though winter doesn't want to let go. I laugh at you winter.

Cartoons

I'm just a big 52 year old kid. I love cartoons. Why aren't Looney Tunes on TV anymore?

I'm reading a Greg Hurwitz book "Trust No One". In it, the main character, Nick, an emotionally damaged (those are my fave characters - flawed but good people) main character loves Looney Tunes. He says, on page 41, "...I love how Acme makes everything from flypaper ot disintegrating pistols. I love how when a character goes through a wall, he leaves behind a perfect silhouette. I love how steaks are always shaped the same and make everyone drool."

"I love how no one really dies."

Bugs Bunny is a good one - along with Wile Coyote. I like Foghorn Leghorn - "Boy, I say boy." And that little chickenhawk with the glasses. I love Tom and Jerry, and that big bulldog - Spike and little Spike. The housekeeper - we never see her head, cajoling Thomas. I love it when their eyes pop out of their heads.

My all time favorite though are the Tex Avery cartoons. The ones with the wolfy character - who whistles at the hot lady singing on stage, his heart pops out of his chest, his car turn corners bending in the middle. And then there is my all time fave, Droopy. Mr. Understated - always deadpan, calm. After all the evil things the wolf guy does to him Droopy says, "I hate you." Very calmly.

Utube has the best Droopy cartoon here - linked it here - Deputy Droopy.

I like some of today's cartoons - Family Guy, the Simpsons, even South Park. But those are not family shows. The old cartoons are not politically correct - I know. But they are still just silly funny - things we can all laugh at. I miss them.

Sunday morning update: Damn - just finished the book. That Hurwitz is my kinda writer. Haven't read a "can't stop reading" book for a long time. Love his character development and pace. This book would make a great movie.

Who's Your Friend When Things Get Rough?

HR Pufnstuf of course. Who remembers TV show? It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. I got to go to breakfast this morning with my buddies. 2 eggs, toast and coffee for $3.05. It’s a great way to start my day.

Anyway, we started talking about old TV shows and Linda brought up Pufnstuf, a Saturday a.m. classic. I liked to watch it when I wasn’t forced to go to Catholic Catechism. Yes, the Catholic kids missed the best morning of each week because we needed the nuns to teach us a thing or two. (Guess it didn’t take with me, see my blog on the swearing thing.)

HR Pufnstuf ran from 1969 – 1972 according to Wikipedia. It’s was a fairy tale with real people and some puppety things. Looking back, this TV show most likely came from some wicked LSD trips – it was the 60’s you know. It featured Jack Wild – and whatever happened to him?

Jack Wild - Oliver

This show must have run when my lotus was blossoming (I was becoming pubertized) – because I had a huge crush on that kid. I even bought Tiger Beat magazine to read all about him. He did eventually star in a remake of Oliver Twist with Mark Lester another hunk-o-rama of the day. It was back when little Michael Jackson had a real nose.

The cartoons back then were far superior to today’s cartoons because they didn’t have to send a gooey message or be politically correct. They were just damn funny. Bugs, Foghorn Leghorn, Droopy, Wily Coyote, Tom and Jerry and more. Dan Miller from Creston and I are Droopy’s biggest fans. My family even bought me a Droopy vhs tape for a gift once - I loved it!

In college we used to watch the Floppy Show (why did the man put the car in the oven?), and they ran the good cartoons on that show. When our kids were babies, 5:30 a.m. was a great time to find classic cartoons showing – just before those shady pretend religious folks – Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker pleaded for funds, with tears and everything.

The 60's, 70's, even 80's were simpler times, of course. I don’t think we expected asBmuch from things like cartoons as we do now. I must admit do enjoy Family Guy and South Park today. The Simpsons can make me laugh too. But none of them match up to a good Hanna-barbera ‘toon.

The answer is: He wanted a hot rod, of course!