Cartoon Brew

ADAM@HOME

Today's ADAM@HOME by Brian Basset (via UComics.com)

MEXICAN STAMPS - Part II

Thanks to the U.S. Government's official denouncement of the Mexican postage stamps featuring Memin Pinguin, the stamps themselves have become a local sensation with the Mexican public, and instant collectibles on ebay! According to news reports:

The stamps have become a symbol of resentment that the United States -- where Mexicans have long faced discrimination -- would dare to accuse Mexico of racism.

Several Brew readers have sent me photoshop examples (below) of other neglected characters they feel worthy of stamp recognition...

THE ANIMATED PERFORMANCE

Mark your calendar. Animators Brad Bird, Eric Goldberg, Jan Pinkava (Geri's Game), Steve Hornby and Richie Baneham (Lord of the Rings) will discuss The Animated Performance: Art Meets Technology at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, on Friday July 29th at 7:30pm.

Bill Kroyer will also speak, and Tom Sito will moderate a panel to discuss the changes in animation technique and the challenges of present day character animation. Numerous clips will provide examples - and the Academy's must-see classic cartoon poster exhibit will be open before and after the program. Sounds like another great evening at the Academy.

MEXICAN POSTAGE STAMPS

The media is reporting today on the Mexican postage stamp featuring famed cartoon character Memin Pinguin.

The White House on Thursday objected to a postage stamp issued by the Mexican government, saying that "racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin" and have no place in today's world.

The stamp depicts an exaggerated black cartoon character known as Memin Pinguin, drawn with exaggerated features, thick lips and wide-open eyes. His appearance, speech and mannerisms are the subject of kidding by white characters in the comic book.

U.S. activists have called on the Mexican government to withdraw the stamp.

White House press secretary Scott MClellan said it was "an internal issue for Mexico and the postal authorities that issued the stamp. With that said, I would like to make a couple of points. Racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin. The Mexican government needs to take this into account. Images like these have no place in today's world."

Mexico said that like Speedy Gonzalez - a cartoon mouse with a Mexican accent that debuted in the United States in 1953 - the Memin Pinguin character shouldn't be interpreted as a racial slur.

I suppose this ends any chance for a set of commemorative postage stamps featuring Bosko, Jasper, Inki, L'il Eightball, Ebony, Buckwheat and So White.

RECLAIMING FELIX THE CAT

Animation director Raul Garcia just got back from a trip overseas and brought me a present: the 20 page color booklet published in conjunction with an exhibit at the State Library of New South Wales, Reclaiming Felix The Cat.

This current exhibit, running now through August 7th, recounts the story of Australian Pat Sullivan (pictured above), orginally from Sydney, who settled in New York in 1914 and later "created" Felix The Cat. The exhibition (and booklet) is loaded with rare merchandise, photographs and memoribilia - but little mention is made of Felix cartoonist Otto Messmer, in fact they down play Messmer's role in Felix's popularity and seem determined to make a hero out of Sullivan.

Nonetheless, the exhibit is worth checking out. You can take a virtual tour (and download the booklet as a PDF file) by clicking here.

Monday Morning Inspiration: Tom Oreb

Here's a few random model sheet drawings by Tom Oreb. These drawings won't be included in my forthcoming Chronicle book on 1950s animation design, simply because there isn't enough room. Fortunately, I can still share them with readers on the Brew.

JOHN FIEDLER (1925-2005)

The Hundred Acre Wood in the sky is now complete. Actor John Fiedler, longtime voice of Piglet in the Walt Disney shorts, features and numerous TV shows, has passed away - Saturday at age 80 - one day after Paul Winchell, his co-star as Tigger, died.

They join Sabastian Cabot (Narrator), Sterling Holloway (Pooh), Hal Smith (Owl), Howard Morris (Gopher) and the rest of the original voice cast from the 1960s shorts.

Fiedler was also well know for his many live action roles, including Mr. Peterson on The Bob Newhart Show (1972), as one of the jurors of 12 Angry Men (1957) and as "Cadet Higgins" on Tom Corbett, Space Cadet (1951). His final work will be heard in two forthcoming Disney direct-to-video movies, Pooh's Heffalump Halloween and Kronk's New Groove.

Warner Bros. Animators

Jaime J. Weinman has a nice new entry on his Something Old, Nothing New blog spotlighting the cartooning traits of various Warner Bros. animators. If you ever wanted to detect the differences in the work of Virgil Ross, Ken Harris, Manny Gould and Rod Scribner head over to Jaime's right now!

PAUL WINCHELL 1922-2005

Thee isn't much one can say about the passing of voice actor, inventor and ventriloquist Paul Winchell (Tigger, Dick Dastardley, Gargamel, etc.) beyond what Mark Evanier reports - except to say he will be greatly missed. I grew up with "Winch" myself as a regular viewer of Winchell Mahoney Time on WNEW (Channel 5) in New York, and his ubiquitous presence on television in the 1960s and 70s. I was certainly a fan of his work. A great entertainer, a great man. Rest in peace.