If someone asked me who the greatest cartoon character of all-time is, I'd have no doubt as to who I'd pick. Mickey Mouse? Well, he was great, but that high pitched voice of his got on my nerves pretty bad, plus, Mickey wore a tad thin once you got past the age of twelve or thirteen. Popeye? Popeye had his good points, but he was at least a double bag haint, and besides, I could never understand all that under-the-breath stuff he said. Fred Flintstone? Just a Jackie Gleason rip-off, why watch Fred when you can watch the Great One instead? Woody Woodpecker? He got on my nerves and talked too fast to boot. Donald Duck? I never, ever understood what in the hell Donald was saying. Without doubt, my favorite cartoon character of all-time has to be Foghorn Leghorn.
And what a classic he is! I was recently given a video of nothing but Foghorn cartoons, and I laughed until I couldn't see straight. Remember the Widow Hen? Henery Hawk? Prissy? There were other characters, but out of them all I think I loved Barnyard Dog the most. Remember how Fog would tiptoe up to his house, pick him up by the tail, and then paddle his backside with a plank or worse? "That dawg" would jump up and chase Foghorn like he was possessed until his rope leash ran out, which would then yank a knot in his neck each and every time. Simply put, they just don't make characters like these anymore, heck, they don't even make any close to these anymore.
The thing I liked best about Foghorn Leghorn was some of his remarks in the cartoons. There were some pure classics, I've laughed so hard at some of them that one time I actually pulled some muscles in my ribcage from strenuous laughter. He said some of the most off-the-wall things imaginable, but he wasn't that bad of a philosopher, either. Believe it or not, there's a lot we can learn from ole Fog. So folks, here are some classic Foghorn remarks, delivered as only our favorite rooster can deliver them:
"Okay, I'll shut up. Some fellas have to keep their tongues flappin' but not me. I was brought up right. My pa used to tell me to shut up and I'd shut up. I wouldn't say nothin'. One time darn near starved to death. WOULDN'T TELL HIM I WAS HUNGRY!!"
"That boy's so dumb, he thinks a Mexican border pays rent."
"That dawg's busier than a centipede at a toe-counting contest."
"The snow's so deep, the farmers have to jack up the cows so they can milk 'em!"
"Gal reminds me of the highway between Fort Worth and Dallas. No curves."
"Did ya see that hawk after those hens? He scared 'em! That Rhode Island Red turned white, then blue. Rhode Island, red, white, and blue! That's a joke, son, a flag-waver! You're built too low. The fast ones go over your head. Ya got a hole in your glove. I keep pitchin' 'em and you keep missin' 'em! Ya gotta keep your eye on the ball! Eye. Ball. Eyeball! I almost had a gag, son--a joke, that is!"
"That woman's as cold as a nudist on an iceberg."
"I've been a good sport about this up till now, but that boy's forcing me to use stronger measures."
"That dog's as subtle as a hand grenade in a barrel of oat meal."
"You look like two miles of bad road."
See what I mean? The best thing is, I could post up several more pages of these classic lines. Without question, Foghorn Leghorn was the greatest cartoon character of all-time. But he was even more than that - y'all see, Foghorn Leghorn wasn't just a cartoon character, he was a rooster. A Southern rooster. With that accent, where else could he come from? He's one of us. And just like rock music, gospel music, football, women, fried chicken, chili dogs, beaches, or anything else you want to lay on the table, the very best stuff comes from the South. It's as simple as that. And if anyone out there doesn't want to believe me, fine, just send me some money and we'll sponsor an essay contest based on the following theme:
"Who Wants to Move to Rhode Island?"
The winner will get a one-way ticket coach fare ticket there, plus a DVD full of their favorite Rhode Island animated character's cartoons...
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Comments: 129
Ah say, Ah say...I think Bugs Bunny might disagree with that, Ed....
....uh, Ed, that is......
"Say now....that Widow Hen has a cozy little roost. Maybe, I say, maybe I been a bachelor for toooooo long!"
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Good morning ~ I love Foghorn Leghorn ~ What was the name of his little rooster who he was always trying to teach something too? He'd end up saying "There's something wrong with that boy".
Bethie, I liked it when Foghorn said about the Widow's kid, "There's something kind of YEEECCHHH about a kid that don't like baseball."
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"Ah say, Ah say....I don't need her love to keep me warm....
Ah got...Ah say, Ah got my bandages to keep me warm!!"
"Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for such an emergency."
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HEY! I just re-read this.....'the very best stuff comes from the South'.......hmmmmp, you've obviously never met ME! I'm shocked! I'm heart-broken! I'm distraught! My day is ruined!
Oh, by the way, I'm from the North, in case you couldn't tell.
Bethie
Bethie, I'm shocked!
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You didn't know I'm from the north? :)
Where are you? Counting your feathers?
I am more of a Rocky and Bullwinkle person myself
Leslie, right now I am mega getting back into Quick Draw McGraw for some reason, and I was kinda lukewarm about him as a kid. Go figure!
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I'm still partial to Yosemite Sam...
"Oh, Doggie,
you're gonna get some lumps....
Oh, Doggie,
you're gonna get some bumps...."
"This is gonna cause more confusion than a mouse at a burlesque show!"
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I remember seeing some sort of variety show years and years ago. Mel Blanc was the guest and he stood in front of a microphone and did all of his character voices. It was amazing watching this mild unassuming man because all these great characters. Also too, a lot of his comments were ad lib.
I have a lithograph from WB, which was produced after Blanc passed away. It depicts all his characters standing on stage, with a spotlighted, empty microphone to the side of them. The title is "Speechless". I still get goosbumps when I look at it.
Remember Ralph and George, the 2 sheepdogs who would meet each other at the time clock with their lunchboxes to change shifts guarding the sheep....Evenin' George...Evenin' Ralph.....I think it was Ralph, I know it was George.
Bethie, I'm getting as many laughs from Baba Looey as Quick Draw....
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Why didn't he just set a trap instead of buying all that Acme crap? I always hoped he'd get that stupid bird.
Darlin' ~ you have the advantage...you've just recently watched all of these. I'm going back into my brain files that are a few years old, the little gray cells just ain't what they used to be. I could watch this stuff by the hour, wish I had the time.
Mine is Simpson
Good wishes, forever
Poddar, I like The Simpsons, King of the Hill isn't bad either!
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Frankly, I think this entire thread "Is abtholutely Dithpicable"....Yep, Daffy has my vote!
Donna, those Bugs/Daffy/Elmer cartoons just cracked me up, Daffy as Robin Hood was a real classic as well!
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I feel so left out of this thread. I wasn't allowed to watch cartoons as a child because my mother thought they were too violent. So no favorite cartoon character for me.
Then pretty lady, let me slip you a Sunday morning smoochie and tell you I still think you're the coolest of the cool....
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I would have to say Mickey Mouse
I have to go with Bugs Bunny.
Renee, Diane, there are cases to be made for both your picks....
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I like ol' Foghorn, ah say I LIKE the boy, dontcha know. But my favorite is still always gonna be Bullwinkle. "Hey Rockie! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!" There was an AM radio talk show host up in Providence (yes, I live in Rhode Island, and I'm about to come south and whup you one for those RI comments!), Sherm Strickhouser, who used to crack me up bad in the mornings. One day there was a news item about a moose walking down Rt. 44 in a western suburb of Providence, and all the efforts they had to go through to get the poor thing back to where he belonged, as anywhere in RI is way south of their usual territory. So Sherm commented on the item with: "So what did he do, walk up to the cop and ask directions? (absolutely perfect Bullwinkle voice) 'Excuse me, Officer, but is this the way to Moosup, Connec-ti-cut?'" I think I must've sprained a muscle in my stomach laughing over that one!
Roy, I am still laughing, and the funny thing was I simply picked a northern state with a small population thinking I'd chance offending less people that way! I have tons of northern friends, it's just when you write southern humor you're almost expected to slip a friendly jab northwards at times....
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I always prefered FRITZ THE CAT myself ;P
This made me chuckle. I'll never forget the time my mom took me to the movies (I was about 9 or 10) and the latest cartoon feature was sold out. Not wanting to disappoint me, Mom saw cartoon-like promos for Fritz the Cat and asked for two tickets. The clerk looked mortified and let my mom know it was an x-rated feature and children were not allowed. My mom turned bright red, stammering that she did not know. I remind my conservative mom of this moment until today ;)
Just kidding ;) I groove on Bugs Bugs Bunny Babe ;)
Darlin', for some reason that doesn't surprise me at all, you have a personality that dazzles just like Bugs' does, only you are definitely more appealing!
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Thanks fro posting to GutterGirls~
Personal fav’s
--Ralph and George, the 2 sheepdogs (Quiet suggestive humor)
--Yosemite Sam (The bully/blow-hard buffoon.)
--Betty Boop (I have seen some in real life--yeeech!)
--Bugs Bunny (Many of real-life moralities depicted by Bugs.)
--Foghorn Leghorn** Philosophically funny
--Tom & Jerry (Mice on a mission and a clueless cat. Morality saturated cartoon)
--All and everything Dr. Seuss
--Pepe la Pew (Human persistence and a great accent--false but great for kids)
--Porky Pig (Talking farm animals gave urban and rural kids a fun day)
--Daffy Duck
--Winnie the Poo and Tigger**** Oh bother!
Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Johnice, Yosemite Sam still cracks me up, I like the one Michigan J. Frog cartoon as well, talk about a classic!
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thought you would like to know
BiographyFoghorn Leghorn [1] (full name Foghorn J. Leghorn, according to 1950s comics produced by studio staffers) is a large, anthropomorphized adult rooster with a strong Virginia or Kentucky accent and a penchant for mischief. He first appeared in 1946 in a Henery Hawk film entitled Walky Talky Hawky. All of the motion picture Foghorn Leghorn cartoons were directed by Robert McKimson [2] , and the rooster vies with the Tasmanian Devil as the most popular character associated with the director.
Many of the gags involved Foghorn and a canine nemesis (formally known as The Barnyard Dawg within Warner today, though on early model sheets his name is given as George P. Dog) engaging in one-upmanship through a series of pranks. Unlike other Looney Tunes rivalries, Foghorn is often the initial aggressor out of self-amusement and subsequently on the 'losing' end of gags. Most common among them was Leghorn's taking up a plank of wood, while ambling along humming "Camptown Races" (the only intelligible words being "Doo-DAH! Doo-DAH!"), coming to the sleeping Dawg with his front half inside his doghouse, picking up his tail and rapidly whacking (almost always with eight strokes) his exposed rear end.
The dog would give chase, usually with his leash still attached to his collar, until the leash stretched taut and his barking was replaced by an anguished shriek. In rare cases, it's the dog that starts the series of pranks; as such it is somewhat difficult to tell who started the feud. This gag was passed down to the Leghorn's grandson in Feather Bluster, where Foghorn was puzzled as to why the kid was behaving that way and the Dog was all too happy to remind him: "Ain't nothin' wrong with 'im, Foggy, 'cept that he takes after you."
He was also joined in a few episodes by a weasel called 'Bill' who initially attempted to eat him but ended up joining forces to outwit the aforementioned canine.
Other recurring themes throughout the cartoons included the attempts of the diminutive Henery Hawk to catch and eat Foghorn, and the rooster's efforts to woo the widowed hen Miss Prissy (often by babysitting her bookish son, Egghead, Jr.).
Foghorn's voice was created by Mel Blanc and was later performed by Joe Alaskey, Bill Farmer, Greg Burson, Jeff Glen Bennett and Frank Gorshin [3] [4] . It was patterned after a hard-of-hearing West Coast-only radio character from the 1930s, known simply as The Sheriff [5] . Later, some of Foghorn's characteristic catch-phrases were drawn from the character of Senator Claghorn, a blustering Southern politician who was a regular character on the Fred Allen radio show.
The re-used catch-phrases include Claghorn's catch phrases, like "That's a joke... I say, that's a joke, son.". The references to Claghorn were obvious to much of the audience when the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons first premiered, but like many of the references in WB cartoons of the era, they have since become dated.
A toddler version of Foghorn made appearances in short music videos of Baby Looney Tunes. He starred in only one episode of the show, in which he was trying to fit in with a gang of cool roosters and employed the help of Tweety and his friends before Lola Bunny suggested to just be himself, which came in handy when Barnyard Dawg chased the cool roosters.
A leghorn is a breed of chicken, and foghorn describes the character's loud, overbearing voice. At its most raucous, it sounds similar to that of another Blanc voice: Yosemite Sam (a strictly Friz Freleng character). Both parts of the name also suggest the association with "Senator Claghorn."
Foghorn made a cameo appearance in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, in the final scene at Marvin Acme's factory. The rooster appeared in two Chuck Jones shorts of the 1990s, Superior Duck (1996) and Pullet Surprise (1997), voiced on both occasions by Frank Gorshin. He was also part of the Tune Squad team in Space Jam, and was a croupier at Sam's casino in Looney Tunes: Back in Action. In addition, Foghorn also appeared in commercials for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Oscar Meyer.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaKimberly, mucho thanks!
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Haha - I bet a lot of ticket takers had to turn a lot of Moms and kids away from Fritz the cat. I like Casper the Ghost, some. Betty Boop is cool, even though she squeeks too much. Why do cartoon caracters squeek so much???
The Pink Panther didn't squeek.
Peter, I think unusual voices instantly draw our attention, that's all I can chalk it up to. Think of all the great cartoon characters, none of them had normal voices.
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Oh me! A nostalgic visit to my youner days. Thank you all for the fun memories ,and especially Ed , Ah say, Ah say......uh, Ed, that is......
I loved old Foghorn, but I think Wiley Coyote is still me fave. And I still laugh every time I see the name Acme on something.
Sexy Sadie, my favorite all-time first friend, I always laughed at anything Acme as well, think of all the free publicity the Roadrunner gave those companies....
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Favorite character is gonna be too hard to narrow down. I do think my favorite cartoon episode would have to be "What's Opera, Doc?". Bugs Bunny, in norse drag. When he shows up in that horse just cracks me up.
Raven, remember the Bugs/Elmer/Daffy ones with these lines:
"Wabbit season!"
"Duck season!"
I still howl at them!
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"Have you got a license to shoot a Fricassean Rabbit?"
And I agree, Daffy as Robin Hood was great.
"Yikes! And away!"
"Shake hands with Friar Duck!"
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You're saying two things here, and I think you make a reasonably good case for both. Foghorn Leghorn is a great character, and I don't need to know his place in the Pantheon of such things. My exposure to the whole of the South is quite limited, but from what I've been able to tell, there are softer tones to the speech as you get further east. For me, the brash and loud Foghorn embodies what's great - and funny - about Texas. And yes they have beautiful women and yes the music* is great. Their story-telling tradition is wonderful. Doesn't mean I want to live there. This is featured in Gather Essentials Writing Sunday.
*Behind Afro Cuban, the jazz music that is Texas Swing is my favorite. Zeppelin comes in third.
Ron, you are my kinda guy - thanks for the feature, and I thoroughly enjoyed your post!
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I love Bullwinkle.
Donna, I have to say Bullwinkle and Rocky are definitely getting support here today!
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full name Foghorn J. Leghorn, according to 1950s comics produced by studio staffers) is a large, anthropomorphized adult rooster with a strong Virginia or Kentucky accent and a penchant for mischief.
I say, I say, Ed darlin' ~ this sounds like they were writing about you.
Bethie, why do you think I like him so much?
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Thanks for sharing. Just letting you know your content has reached 25 comments and has been removed from !!Need More Points!!
Jennifer, I'm deeply saddened, but I'll try to bear up as best I can - thanks!
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i like
i say i like him
but i prefer daffy
it's duck season
:)
SB, I do like Daffy, if I were going in order for me Warner Brothers wise, it'd have to be:
!. Foghorn Leghorn
2. Yosemite Sam
3. Bugs Bunny
4. Daffy Duck
Whatcha think?
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That would my order of choice. Used to watch Bugs&Daffy every morning at 7:00 as child was eating b'fast. The intro would make me roar every single day. Daffy was running to jump over something, he'd trip and get his bill stuck on a board and he'd vibrate. I don't know if it was the sound or his eyes, but I'd laugh every single morning.
I like Rocky & Bullwinkle, Sherman & Peabody, Boris & Natasha. The Simpsons are great, King of the Hill is OK. I love Cow & Chicken ~ Cousin Boneless is funny, Flem & Earl crack me up. I don't like Tom & Jerry. I love Family Guy ~ Stewie is great.
I love Foghorn Leghorn! I'd have to say that he is my favorite too! And Prissy!! I'm laughing thinking about them! I'm gonna have to get out my daughter's Looney Toons dvd!
"Widow, I need your love to keep me warrrmmmm!"
Christine, you got me laughin' again!
Double smoochies,
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I loved Pete Puma, Charles, thanks for reminding me, I hadn't thought of him in the longest time!
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I like Foghorn Leghorn too. That accent is certainly distinctive. Excellent article, Ed.
Janell, you're a sweet, classy lady, thank you!
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I think a lot of the Warner Brothers characters we grew up with are considered not "politically correct" these days. *Sigh* But Pepe LePew was such a lover!
EM JAY, all the more reason to love 'em now!
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Snoopy. Hands down.
I like Foghorn Leghorn too, though. Wasn't he based loosely on an old radio character, a southern senator named Cleghorn who talked just like F.L.? I'm thinking it was from the Jack Benny show, but it's been a long time so I could easily be wrong.
Kris darlin', I heard that story before about the model for Foghorn bein' a Senator Cleghorn, don't know how true it is or not. Whatever the case, I am mucho glad to see you here.
Double smoochies,
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mickey mouse and pluto
Jayrene, welcome, thanks for the comment - you're pretty as hell, too!
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thank you
*blushes...
I loved the Queen in Snow White !!!
Good article...always brings me a smile. Thanks for the memories. Don't want to go to Rhode Island though so good luck to someone.
Beanie and Cecil the seasick sea serpent.
Then Snoopy and Woodstock
Old Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
Grems, I'd forgotten about Beany and Cecil, too! Thank you!
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I remember Beanie and Cecil...I liked them. I also liked Felix the Cat with his arch nemesis Rock Bottom. Also, Underdog with Sweet Polly Purebred and Simon Bar Sinister and his boob of a flunky, Cad Lackey. And of course, Tennessee Tuxedo with Chumley, also Commander McBragg, that old windbag who'd been everywhere and done everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOxNtOMTpSo
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I haven't heard that in years!!! This is great!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1BlIS-6-g&feature=related
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Wow thats an old fav. That rooster always cracked me up. This post got me thinking about many of the cartoons we watched as kids. And a flood of characters come to mind. I always felt bad for Wild E. Coyote, and always looked to the day he would catch that Road Runner, but as time went on it was obvious he was just too dumb. Casper was another I enjoyed, and his cousin Spooky. I could go on and on. But I guess my fav, from childhood till now has to be snoopy. Even now, when I'm happy about something, I do my Snoopy dance.
Now Dee, if you ever tape yourself doin' the Snoopy dance and post it up here on Gather, I wanna know!
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Bugsy gets my vote!!! What's up, Doc??
"I knew I shoulda took that left turn at Albuquerque."
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LOL!!
I dont like cartoons and I can throw a rock to rhode island!
Ed, I see that the new Gather feature (reply to this comment) keeps you focused on the person to whom you are speaking --nice when things work!
Johnice, I like it, it personalizes my responses more and I can talk to more people directly as opposed to just generalized type comments. Again, I like it!
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LOL Ed! I might do just that, someday.
Hmm? I think I just created a flaw with Gathers new reply to comment system by being so outta sync. I guess thats what happens when you leave the computer to tend to other things.
Dee, you're still the coolest, and if you decide to do the Snoopy dance and put it up on Gather, i'll write an article about it, you could end up being the Gather "John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever" person!
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I can not help but laugh about this whole article and the comments. Do you realize how LONG it has been since I have even thought about that cocky Foghorn? My, my....but you do bring refreshing memories back, Ed. I have to give you kudos too for your choice....not bad :)
Renda, for once I'm kinda speechless, you're a sweetie!
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Ha! I can not even imagine you speechless, but if you say so. I'm going to try to find some of those older cartoons for the twins to watch when they come to visit.
Hope you have a great week.
LOL Ed, your the coolest! I would have never thought of anything like that. Picture a little woman dancing like Snoopy dressed in Disco clothes. Man thats the best laugh of the day!
Dee, you know I'm just having fun with you, you're fun as hell and a good sport! And if you get crazy and decide to actually do a video, let me know - I'll write up an article and we'll get crazy here on Gather!
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I know Ed. Hell where would I get disco clothes anyway? LOL! I never cared for the fashions of the 70's even then. But gotta admit the thought was funny as hell.
It really is, I'll bet we could take a twenty second clip of you doin' the Snoopy dance, put a little article with it, and rack up some mega views darlin'!
Now that I kinda know you, I want you to hang out with us when you can!
Smoochies,
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Will do Ed! Hugzzz back, and keep the post a coming!
Did you know that the guy who did Mickey Mouse's voice from 1976 to present, just passed away?
Karen, I hadn't heard that, that's a shame!
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Popeye gets my vote...those undertone mumbles were pretty good!
I know, sometimes I wonder if we'd really heard what Popeye actually said would he have gotten into trouble over it?
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the ones I did catch were mild curses and such...
Late to the show, as usual. But, Oh Boy! Do I remember Fritz the Cat! My husband and I came home and acted like rabbits! (Trying to keep it clean here) But I really think nobody can beat Rocky and Bullwinkle. And don't forget Mr. Peabody and his pet boy Sherman!
Ginny darlin', I'd totally forgotten Mr. Peabody and Sherman, that's been the neatest thing about this thread, the bringing back of the memories!
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I didn't really watch too many cartoons growing up, unless it was adventures in oddessy, Davy and Goliath, or something equally moral and spiritual. Hehe. But, after I had children of my own I headed out to the store to pick up a copy of a DVD with all the old classic cartoons on them. I watched it over and over with my children and honestly I don't know who enjoyed the cartoon more! But, I'm not too sure who I would choose as my favorite. I have a problem with betty boop for sure! Sure, she is sexy for a cartoon, but some of her episodes have racist undertones to them! Don't believe me? Watch that Old Man in the Mountain one again!
Oh, and I'm sorry, but I'm a border ruffian. So, I can't really take sides on the whole north or south debate.
Then Kimberli, what can I tease you about? Give me something, darlin'!
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Geeze, maybe the fact that I am a 'ruffian' Hehe, I've been told I actually live on the southern side of Missouri... but that is something that has yet been unsubstantiated.
Wow, a real ruffian! I've never known one before, and you're pretty as hell too!
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I always liked to watch Bugs and Y. Sam go at it. Those two were a riot!
Then there was always Elmer fudd, and that wraskally wrabbit.
Dan, I remember seeing a documentary where they said Yosemite Sam was invented because they felt Bugs needed more of a challenge than Elmer. Funny that they never, far as I can remember, had both Elmer and Yosemite Sam together in a cartoon.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65t-OzhlmvE&feature=related
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Ed, I don't remember that either. I think Sam and Bugs would have made short work of him though.
Bugs and Sam were my favorites. I loved Bugs Smart assed comments and antics, and Sam's "I'll do it my way or else" view.
I got to go with Bugs also.This takes me back a few years.
Have a great gather day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for posting to sparealine.gather.com