Classic Cartoons Characters :Favorite Top Three

[Worf101]

My faves.

Daffy Duck - The OLD Daffy, who used to f**k people up. The little black duck that was more Marx Brother than Warner Brother. Amazing stuff.

Buggs Bunny - My fave non-duck. Spending hours watching him get the best of Buzzards, Wolves etc... Classics too many to mention. I also liked seeing him get beat like in the one with the Gremlin. Doesn't get any better.

AstroBoy - First Japanese cartoon shown in the States, ground breaking, Robots with souls.

Da Worfster

[Worf101]

I'm sorry but I can't let this pass. People here know me and can tell you that I never ever play "the race" card unless it's something I simply can't ignore. I can't pass up this opportunity to tell some folks who might not know but "Hong Kong Fooey" was/is without a doubt the most racist and offensive cartoon ever created.

The character, voiced by a black man (Scatman Curruthers I believe) is the lowly, slovenly Janitor who's other personae is a bumbling, inept crime fighter. And if making him the janitor (complete with sideways cap, slouching posture and big feet) isn't bad enough, he's NOT EVEN HUMAN!!! HE'S A F***KIN DOG!!!!! "Well he is the hero" you might be tempted to say. But.....

He never gets the villain, his CAT saves the day and in the end it all works out for the best IN SPITE of his ineptness... And we haven't even begun to discuss the mockery this toon makes of revered and respected ancient chinese fighting arts. Geeze Louise and the one female on the toon talks like an airhead and wears a skirt just this side of a belt.

Very little makes me seethe but this chit makes me boil. This toon is so vile, so racist so sexist and ignorant that I blocked the HB channel on my set. I won't allow that crap in my house. Sorry folks I didn't mean to blow my top but I had too.

Da Worfster

[GMichael]

My first thought was of Bugs, Daffy and Wile-E-Coyote. But with newcomers like Bart and Homer, it's hard to say that the ol' standbys are still "the best." I also remember a little farther back to a silly guy named Top Cat. That cat was cool! Does anyone still remember Kimba? The little white lion. Thems were the days. Dick Dastardly was a great "bad guy". Loved his dog's snicker. Still laugh like that myself at times. How about Peter Potomus' patented hurricane holler? And no talk of cartoons should leave out Magilla Gorilla and the little girl who wanted to buy him for .02, Oh Geeeeee. Or Ricochet Rabbit and Deputy Droop-along. Speedy Gonzales, Archie, the list goes on and on. Who can pick just three?
I think I'm seeing were my focus went back then.

[GMichael]

I'm sorry but I can't let this pass. People here know me and can tell you that I never ever play "the race" card unless it's something I simply can't ignore. I can't pass up this opportunity to tell some folks who might not know but "Hong Kong Fooey" was/is without a doubt the most racist and offensive cartoon ever created.

The character, voiced by a black man (Scatman Curruthers I believe) is the lowly, slovenly Janitor who's other personae is a bumbling, inept crime fighter. And if making him the janitor (complete with sideways cap, slouching posture and big feet) isn't bad enough, he's NOT EVEN HUMAN!!! HE'S A F***KIN DOG!!!!! "Well he is the hero" you might be tempted to say. But.....

He never gets the villain, his CAT saves the day and in the end it all works out for the best IN SPITE of his ineptness... And we haven't even begun to discuss the mockery this toon makes of revered and respected ancient chinese fighting arts. Geeze Louise and the one female on the toon talks like an airhead and wears a skirt just this side of a belt.

Very little makes me seethe but this chit makes me boil. This toon is so vile, so racist so sexist and ignorant that I blocked the HB channel on my set. I won't allow that crap in my house. Sorry folks I didn't mean to blow my top but I had too.

Da Worfster

Wow Worf,

I never knew most of this about Hung Fooey. I guess maybe because I never watched it much. I didn't get it.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Two cartoon characters I don't think have been mentioned yet: Jinx the cat and Snaggletooth, right? I'm pretty sure Jinx was the first cartoon character that made me laugh when I was around 9 or 10 back in the early 60's. Snaggletooth with his... exit, stage left announcement came across as snobbish (even though I had no idea what a snob was anyway, but...), but my definite favorites and the ones I still try to catch once-in-a-while are Bugs and Road Runner, Popeye, and Mighty Mouse.

Some others: Hillbilly Bears, George of the Jungle, and that show GMichael mentioned with Dick Dastardly and muttly; it was about a cross-country race but I can't think of the name of it. Just about all of the Fractured Fairy tales characters from the Rocky & Bullwinkle show: Mr. Peabody and Sherman (remember the Way-back machine?), Boris Badernouf(sp?) and his wife (can't remember her name either).

Gawd I feel so old!

The character, voiced by a black man (Scatman Curruthers I believe) is the lowly, slovenly Janitor who's other personae is a bumbling, inept crime fighter. And if making him the janitor (complete with sideways cap, slouching posture and big feet) isn't bad enough, he's NOT EVEN HUMAN!!! HE'S A F***KIN DOG!!!!! "Well he is the hero" you might be tempted to say. But.....

He never gets the villain, his CAT saves the day and in the end it all works out for the best IN SPITE of his ineptness... And we haven't even begun to discuss the mockery this toon makes of revered and respected ancient chinese fighting arts. Geeze Louise and the one female on the toon talks like an airhead and wears a skirt just this side of a belt.

Although not cartoon characters, you probably wouldn't like the Three Stooges too much either. Their skits included many parodies of the black man back in the 40's. Another aspect of our culture I wasn't tuned in to back in the 60's. I liked them because of their slapstick comedy routines.


P.S. Someone please send me a notice when Magoo's Christmas Carol is going to be shown next winter. I always seem to miss it when Christmas rolls around.

[ForeverAutumn]

I'm sorry but I can't let this pass. People here know me and can tell you that I never ever play "the race" card unless it's something I simply can't ignore. I can't pass up this opportunity to tell some folks who might not know but "Hong Kong Fooey" was/is without a doubt the most racist and offensive cartoon ever created.

The character, voiced by a black man (Scatman Curruthers I believe) is the lowly, slovenly Janitor who's other personae is a bumbling, inept crime fighter. And if making him the janitor (complete with sideways cap, slouching posture and big feet) isn't bad enough, he's NOT EVEN HUMAN!!! HE'S A F***KIN DOG!!!!! "Well he is the hero" you might be tempted to say. But.....

He never gets the villain, his CAT saves the day and in the end it all works out for the best IN SPITE of his ineptness... And we haven't even begun to discuss the mockery this toon makes of revered and respected ancient chinese fighting arts. Geeze Louise and the one female on the toon talks like an airhead and wears a skirt just this side of a belt.

Very little makes me seethe but this chit makes me boil. This toon is so vile, so racist so sexist and ignorant that I blocked the HB channel on my set. I won't allow that crap in my house. Sorry folks I didn't mean to blow my top but I had too.

Da Worfster

Gee Worf, I had no idea. To be honest, I don't remember much about the cartoon now. I just remember that when I was eight I thought it was hilarious. I wonder if I'd find it offensive if I were to watch it now?

On a slightly different note, there's a guy in our city who is a serious cartoon buff. He has a cartoon collection that is unbelievable, including many cartoons that have been banned and will never be seen on any commercial media ever again. He runs a couple of cartoon festivals every year. I haven't been for many, many years, but the last one that I went to had a cartoon from the 1940's in which Daffy Duck plays Adolph Hitler. Talk about offensive! Yet it was fascinating to see the kinds of stories that were being created in cartoon form. Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny were much more political than Warner Brothers would have you believe.

[GMichael]

Gee Worf, I had no idea. To be honest, I don't remember much about the cartoon now. I just remember that when I was eight I thought it was hilarious. I wonder if I'd find it offensive if I were to watch it now?

On a slightly different note, there's a guy in our city who is a serious cartoon buff. He has a cartoon collection that is unbelievable, including many cartoons that have been banned and will never be seen on any commercial media ever again. He runs a couple of cartoon festivals every year. I haven't been for many, many years, but the last one that I went to had a cartoon from the 1940's in which Daffy Duck plays Adolph Hitler. Talk about offensive! Yet it was fascinating to see the kinds of stories that were being created in cartoon form. Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny were much more political than Warner Brothers would have you believe.

They reflect the times in which they were created. Have you ever gone back and watched the Honeymooners (or the Flintstones, since this is a cartoon thread) They are very sexist by today's standards.

[JSE]

1. Cartman of course!
2. Donald Duck
3. Sylvester & Tweety and Granny.

[Mr Peabody]

I respect your views Worf. But really it's those stereotypes that makes that type of comedy funny whether TV programs, cartoons or stand up, the ability to make fun of ourselves. I wonder if what you said was their real intension? If so, why would a black man be willing to do the voice. I also understand what one person may find funny, is not to another, or even offensive. When I watch stand up, usually a black comedian will be talking about black people for at least part of their routine. The same with a comedian who is fat, hence Lewy Anderson, Oriental or White. I sure don't want the Red Neck comedy tour to represent all White folks. What about Mr. Magoo, I'm sure partially sighted people don't want you to think they act like that.

What is your take on Chep from South Park?

[Worf101]

I respect your views Worf. But really it's those stereotypes that makes that type of comedy funny whether TV programs, cartoons or stand up, the ability to make fun of ourselves. I wonder if what you said was their real intension? If so, why would a black man be willing to do the voice. I also understand what one person may find funny, is not to another, or even offensive. When I watch stand up, usually a black comedian will be talking about black people for at least part of their routine. The same with a comedian who is fat, hence Lewy Anderson, Oriental or White. I sure don't want the Red Neck comedy tour to represent all White folks. What about Mr. Magoo, I'm sure partially sighted people don't want you to think they act like that.

What is your take on Chep from South Park?

Anyone who knows me knows that I can laugh at myself. Much of the best humor from Black Comedians is about.... us. I can laugh at the routines of Pryor, Murphy et all because it's adult comedy for adult brains. This cartoon was like putting poison in bubble gum and selling it outside of a school. Kids minds are like sponges and they take in anything you push in their way. I always thought the cartoon was stupid because it premiered long after my Saturday Morning Cartoon watching days were done and it seemed ultra silly to me. When I saw it one afternoon at my sisters house about 6 years ago I was so angry I couldn't see straight.

Taken as an isolated incident perhaps it wouldn't be so worrisome and I could dismiss it as just one unfortunate part of the "Kung Fu Craze" as Wooch insightfully points out. However some socio-psychologist have just redone landmark Race and Self image testing wherein Black children are given 2 Dolls one white, one black. And after almost 60 years the results are sadly the same. Black children still hate their skin, still consider their race, color and hair "inferior" to whites. Some of us still don't love ourselves as we are.

Perhaps this sad fact caused me to lash out at this stupidity so harshly but it's like one more drop of water in an already vile sea to me. Make jokes about me, I'm an adult and can take them, but when young children despise their own skins to the point they often contemplate suicide, then the joke's no longer funny.

Da Worfster

[GMichael]

Anyone who knows me knows that I can laugh at myself. Much of the best humor from Black Comedians is about.... us. I can laugh at the routines of Pryor, Murphy et all because it's adult comedy for adult brains. This cartoon was like putting poison in bubble gum and selling it outside of a school. Kids minds are like sponges and they take in anything you push in their way. I always thought the cartoon was stupid because it premiered long after my Saturday Morning Cartoon watching days were done and it seemed ultra silly to me. When I saw it one afternoon at my sisters house about 6 years ago I was so angry I couldn't see straight.

Taken as an isolated incident perhaps it wouldn't be so worrisome and I could dismiss it as just one unfortunate part of the "Kung Fu Craze" as Wooch insightfully points out. However some socio-psychologist have just redone landmark Race and Self image testing wherein Black children are given 2 Dolls one white, one black. And after almost 60 years the results are sadly the same. Black children still hate their skin, still consider their race, color and hair "inferior" to whites. Some of us still don't love ourselves as we are.

Perhaps this sad fact caused me to lash out at this stupidity so harshly but it's like one more drop of water in an already vile sea to me. Make jokes about me, I'm an adult and can take them, but when young children despise their own skins to the point they often contemplate suicide, then the joke's no longer funny.

Da Worfster

You, me, all of us should love ourselves for who and what we are. It is no joke to read how children can hate themselves for the color of their skin. It's time all of these things became a horrible part of our history. But history, not present or future. There has been enough sorrow already.
Maybe this is a subject for another thread.

[PeruvianSkies]

DROOPY!!!



Not sure what it is about this dog, but he's the non-typical hero character, who is so lovable, yet pure sinister too, at least when you start messin' with him, he always get's his revenge.

[Smokey]

They reflect the times in which they were created. Have you ever gone back and watched the Honeymooners (or the Flintstones, since this is a cartoon thread) They are very sexist by today's standards.

I agree. They probably were not considered racist in their time frame.

Even Tom and Jerry cartoons is not immune form accusation of being racist. On Tom and Jerry Spotlight collection DVDs, Whoopi Goldberg appears at the beginning of each disc with a short statement:”Some of the cartoons here reflect prejudices that were common in American society, especially when it came to racial and ethnic groups.”

She is referring to controversial large black maid lady as Mammy Two-Shoes (her face is never shown) who speaks with an exaggerated Southern black accent.

[Woochifer]

I'm sorry but I can't let this pass. People here know me and can tell you that I never ever play "the race" card unless it's something I simply can't ignore. I can't pass up this opportunity to tell some folks who might not know but "Hong Kong Fooey" was/is without a doubt the most racist and offensive cartoon ever created.

The character, voiced by a black man (Scatman Curruthers I believe) is the lowly, slovenly Janitor who's other personae is a bumbling, inept crime fighter. And if making him the janitor (complete with sideways cap, slouching posture and big feet) isn't bad enough, he's NOT EVEN HUMAN!!! HE'S A F***KIN DOG!!!!! "Well he is the hero" you might be tempted to say. But.....

He never gets the villain, his CAT saves the day and in the end it all works out for the best IN SPITE of his ineptness... And we haven't even begun to discuss the mockery this toon makes of revered and respected ancient chinese fighting arts. Geeze Louise and the one female on the toon talks like an airhead and wears a skirt just this side of a belt.

Very little makes me seethe but this chit makes me boil. This toon is so vile, so racist so sexist and ignorant that I blocked the HB channel on my set. I won't allow that crap in my house. Sorry folks I didn't mean to blow my top but I had too.

Da Worfster

If you choose to watch that cartoon with your brain clicked on, then I definitely agree that it was a pretty vile piece of work. But, that cartoon was just soooo patently STUPID that I just can't take it seriously at any level, no matter how offensive the stereotypes indeed are.

Also, in the context of that particular era, martial arts was the big thing in pop culture and everyone was racing to slap together anything and everything having to do with kung fu. I remember people of all races walking down the street with mandarin collar outfits, and the canvas peasant shoes featured in the Bruce Lee and Shaw Brothers movies.

Kung fu was everywhere, and unfortunately like so many things in pop culture, it became derivative and bastardized in short order as opportunists tried to capitalize on it. Hong Kong Phooey was just one of many examples. Around the time of that cartoon's debut, you also had "Kung Fu Fighting" hitting #1 on the pop chart, the debut of those Calgon "ancient Chinese secret" commercials (among other Asian-themed ads), a whole litany of poorly dubbed martial arts movies flooding into U.S. theaters, and the Kung Fu TV series, which actually rejected Bruce Lee to play the lead role in favor of David Carradine (which to me is more overtly racist than the cartoon).