Classic Cartoon Characters, Such as Woodpecker, and Cartoons Themselves Have Changed

[Asfand]

A friend and I were discussing classic toon characters, such as Mary and Jerry and Woody Woodpecker, around the water cooler. We discussed why many cartoons from the golden age of animation were more adult than idiotic. We also discussed why characters like Woody Woodpecker changed from crazy to responsible adult throughout the years. There are many reasons why the pre-World War II characters and cartoons changed over the years.

Most people are aware that cartoons in the 1930s, fourties, and even 50s were more adult in nature. Characters sipped, used to smoke, and concered about taxes. For example, I remember a Woody Woodpecker toon in which Buzz Buzzard was determined to sign Woody up for a life insurance policy. But, Buzz would definitely make himself the beneficiary, bump Woody off and keep the insurance money. Pretty heavy stuff. Let's dive into why cartoons were more adult like in this example.

First off, cartoons were more adult back in the golden age of animation because cartoons used to be shown before theatrical movies. Many of us Generation Xers and those who have come after us are used to seeing cartoons on television. (Who doesn't remember the classic Looney Songs opening used in the 1980s in which all the famous Looney Songs characters paraded across the stage? ) But, before cartoons were on television, we were holding in the concert halls. For example, Mary and Jerry cartoons were shown before MGM movies. Woody Woodpecker and friends were shown before Wide-spread movies. Of course, Looney Songs cartoons preceded Warner Bros. movies.

Now, as for why the pre-World War II characters like Woody Woodpecker acted in insane ways is really because the computer animators and game makers were teenage boys feeling their oats. ugly cartoon characters girl It makes perfect sense that early Woody Woodpecker, for example, was wild and crazy. Later on, as the game makers began settling down and raising families, characters like Woody became more domesticated. Woody started caring for his nephew and niece, Knothead and Splinter. Meanwhile, over at Looney Songs, Sylvester the Cat began raising his son. Even Foghorn Leghorn became a father figure to Miss Prissy's son, Egghead, Jr ..

Yes, the post-World War II toon characters were distinctive from how they were before the war and for good reason. Area of the reason is because of the fact cartoons were shown in theaters before adult audiences. Also, animators' real-life celebrities seeped into the characters and the characters changed as the creators' lives changed. And, of course, the fact cartoons started being shown on television meant characters would have to be tamed down a little. But, we'll get into cartoons being edited for television in another article.

The wonderful thing is all the classic toon characters, such as Wood Woodpecker, Andy Panda and Daffy Duck, survive on in television reruns and DVD sets. I thoroughly enjoy watching the adventures of old-school characters, such as Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, whether we are talking about their early cartoons or later shows.