http://video.yahoo.com/watch/218906/822507
I have chosen to write about a particular character in the animated cartoon series "Looney Tunes" as this was probably the cartoon that I most remember growing up as a child, in particular, my favourites being; Sylvester, Yosemite Sam and Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner.
Looney Tunes was produced by Leon Schlesinger after he paired Harman and Ising (an American animation team), together with Warner Bros. Harman and Ising produced a series of musical cartoons for Leon Schlesinger, who sold the shorts to Warner. Leon Schlesinger Productions produced Looney tunes from 1933-1944 until Schlesinger sold his studio to Warner Bros, who renamed themselves "Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc", who continued to produces the cartoon series up until 1963. Only to be taken over by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises from 1964-1967, and then continued by Warner Bros for the series last two years.
The particular cartoon I am going to focus on is Yosemite Sam, created by Friz Freleng. One of the main reasons that I liked this character so much was because of his fiery temper, the man was constantly angry and always shouting, this was very clearly portrayed by Mel Blanc, the man who voiced Sam. This inevitably made him a very humorous character to watch, as he acts so tough and aggressive but things never seem to go his way, and he always ends up getting hurt! Sams short stature plays an important role in creating comedy, first off all, it makes it seem like he has no power or authority, despite what he believes about himself, and also it is used to create gags, for instance, he has trouble with horses and so has to use a step ladder to get on them.
Sam made his first appearance in the cartoon Hare Trigger in April 21, 1945 . In this espisode, sam tries to rob a train but meets (who becomes his nemesis in other short films) Bugs Bunny, who cleverly outwits and spoils sams evil plot. At the very beginning of meeting sam, his height plays a role in creating comedy, first he is seen standing on the train tracks waiting for the train, at this point the audience are unaware that he is so short, as the train gradually closens, it is reviled how short he is when the train passes straight over the top of him. After this sam uses a step ladder to reach the top of his horse (as i have previously mentioned).
Whilst trying to find out how the episodes of Looney Tunes were created, i found a comic strip that Warner Bros had produced, in order to explain the production or the cartoons.
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/wbtoon1.jpg
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/wbtoon2.jpg
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/wbtoon3.jpg
The Looney Tunes series gained even more popularity when they began to be shown on network and syndicated television in the mid-to-late 1950s. However at this time because of concerns over children's television in the 1970s, many scenes ere removed featuring innuendos, ethnic stereotypes and extreme violence as this was seen to be inappropriate for children.
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