The Aracuan Bird

Yep. I'm back again! I just got a job a few months ago, so I haven't been able to post as often as I would like to. Here's something just for the sake of something new.

One of my favorite Disney characters is the rare Aracuan Bird featured in two classic Donald Duck shorts, Clown of the Jungle (1947), and a segment on Melody Time called Blame it on the Samba (1948) where in both shorts is voiced by the great Pinto Colveg. I love this guy because there's definitely some Tex Avery influence on him. It's a shame that he didn't come back for more shorts than this since he's such a fun character. Below is a model sheet form Blame it on the Samba and the cartoon, Clown of the Jungle.

Hammy Model Sheet

This is one of those rare posts where I examine modern cartoons. There's a handfull of those that intrigue me, and this model sheet from Dreamwork's Over the Hedge is one of them. After seeing this model sheet and several others, I came to the conclusion that the movie would have looked better if it was animated traditionally instead of computers. Below is a model sheet of the character Hammy. He looks a lot cuter here than he did in the final project.



I want my COOKIES!!!

Prest-O Change-O

The first colored bugs Bunny cartoon and the first directed by Chuck Jones. Chuck did a lot of Disney-esqe 'toons from the 1930's, which is when this was made. The same rabbit is back, this time colored white, quieter, and just as crazy! Oh, yes, did I mention he does magic tricks too?

Visit this site for more pictures: http://duck-walk.blogspot.com/2006/05/more-magic-from-that-crazy-white.html

Merrie Melodies - Prest-O Change-O (1939)
Uploaded by Cartoonzof2006

Porky's Hare Hunt

I've been meaning to do a post on this one for a while, so here I go.

The Very first Bugs Bunny cartoon. At first created by Ben Hardaway, this rabit was quite different from Bugs even though they're one in the same. This hyperactive rabbit is a lot less calm than Bugs and here, his first foe was actually Porky Pig! Later on this little white rabbit will evolve into a grey, cool hare.
Oh yes, let's not forget his laugh and voice. It's a lot like Woody Woodpecker's, isn't it?

Musical Moments from Chopin

One superb musical cartoon. I'm a sucker for cartoons timed to music, and at the Walter Lantz studio, no one does it better than ex-disney animator Dick Lundy. He really knew how to time actions with music. I think Lundy may have been in charge of the "Musical Minatures" series. This one in particular has various pieces from classical pianist Frédéric Chopin instead of focusing on just one piece of music.

Musical Minatures - Musical Moments from Chopin (1946)
Uploaded by Cartoonzof2006

Kaa Model Sheets

In case you're wondering, I find snakes the hardest animals to draw in cartoons. It's not body composition, believe me, that's the easy part! It's getting the head to look right is what's so hard about drawing them! To help myself out, I found some model sheets of Kaa the python from Walt Disney's The Jungle Book (1967). They're good resources to learn how to draw snakes(especially the second one for heads!)





Before you ask, I am a Wolfgang Reitherman fan (That's who directed The Jungle Book). His style of drawing and directing really just captivates me. In my opinion, he actually did the best cartoons for Disney in the 1960's. His drawings are rather almost like Chuck Jones' drawings to me.

More snake heads:This one above has a good angle to work with.

My God, that's a big snake!!!!

Pecos Pest

Very hilarious! Jerry's uncle Pecos makes a great one-shot character. I'm not sure who does his voice, though it sounds like Stan Freberg.

I'm not sure why, but these facial expressions just crack me up (especially the middle one!). Maybe it's out of knowing Tom's fear of Uncle Pecos.

Tom and Jerry - Pecos Pest (1955)
Uploaded by Cartoonzof2006

The Cat Above and the Mouse Below

My favorite Tom and Jerry from the Chuck jones era. To start, the character designs are pretty good. I prefer Tom's old look from the H-B years, though. I mean he just looks too cuddly in these cartoons to be Tom. Then again, the Boris Karloff-eyebrows are pretty cool.
However, I adore Jerry's new look. He's just so cuddly, I wanna hug him! In fact, one of the characters I created has his look based on this version of Jerry. I'll get to posting his pictures once I get a scanner.


The music's great in this one, and Jerry's aria at the end always makes me smile.

Tee for Two

Another favorite of mine from the Tom and Jerry filmography. I think people who play golf will really like this short. I happen to know some people who golf like Tom, too. Unfortunatly, I'm one of them!

These are some great backgrounds painted by Robert Gentle from Klangley's site. Thanks, buddy! :)

Rabbit Transit

The last, but certainly the least, of the "Tortoise vs. Hare" bugs cartoons. Friz Freling tried to make the theme of Bugs vs. Cecil more down-to-earth for this one. Well it worked.

Now don't get me wrong, I thought this one is funny, but it doesn't have the energy and fun of the previous two shorts. Anyway, watch it here: