Caricature: Gerald Scarfe

Here's a BBC profile of British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Carl Stalling

I loved Warner Brothers cartoons when I was growing up.  A huge part of the delight was the soundtrack arranged by Carl Stalling.  Stalling was originally an accompanist for silent films.  He would average a soundtrack a week for 22 years, working on Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies.  Here's a cartoon from 1943.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Toon UP - Bugs In My Hare!

Today's tune also marks the debut of Bugs Bunny!  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hanna

Today is the birthday of William Denby Hanna.  Mr. Hanna was the cofounder of Hanna-Barbera studios - creators of such cartoon shows as The Flintsones, Huckleberry Hound, Tom & Jerry and the Jetsons.

Happy Birthday Alex Toth

I've been traveling, so I haven't had the opportunity to blog recently.  My apologies to both my readers.

Today is the birthday of Alex Toth (pronounced with a long 'o').  Toth had a long career in comics starting in the late 1940's, but is best known for designing Space Ghost.  He was never widely recognized outside comics circles, but is quite revered by insiders.

Quacking Up

Today is the anniversary of the debut of Donald Duck.  Enjoy!

Simply Wonderful

I saw this video on the Laugh blog and thought it was enchanting.  I'm always intrigued with simplicity. 

It's entertaining when David Copperfield makes the Statue of Liberty disappear,  but I've always found something truly fascinating when coins, cards etc., vanish before my eyes.  Enjoy.

Weekend Update

I want to recognize some birthdays that took place over the weekend.  They are noteworthy and - in all honesty - they give me something to talk about since my weekend was dull.

Saturday was shared a birthday for Jean Giraud (Moebius) and Bob Clampett.  Giraud, better known in the comics world as Moebius, turned 72.  Learn more about Mr. Giraud at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Giraud.  I've posted a sample of his beautiful work in case you're not familiar with him.  Click on it for a larger version.

Also born on May 8th is (or was) Bob Clampett, the man credited with putting the 'looney' in 'Looney Tunes.'  Although Clampett's contribution to Warner Brother's animation is undeniable, his peers found him difficult and egotistical.  He had a reputation for extreme self-promotion.  Here's a cartoon from 1945 directed by Clampett.  Look past the stereotyping and enjoy the beautiful elasticity of the characters and the perfect marriage of the music and the action. 

A Purrrrrfect Cartoon

Check out this animated short.  If you like this, there's more on You Tube.

Happy - Happy - Joy - Joy to Bill Wray

Today is the birthday of American artist Bill Wray.  Wray worked on the Ren & Stempy Show as well as MAD magazine.  Happy Birthday, Bill!!!

Also, today in history, Harry Houdini was born.  Besides being an extraordinary magician, Houdini was the first man to fly an airplane on the continent of Australia.