Colour and movement – it’s the whole basis behind our existence really – but brought down to its simpliest form – it has been making millions of kids (and adults) laugh for decades – through that most elegant of genre’s – The Cartoon.
From the most unpretentious of beginnings such as Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” back in 1928 to the world wide phenomenom that is The Simpsons – cartoons have been the staple diet of television and movie watches for almost a century.
Perhaps you have a soft spot for Australia’s own Felix The Cat, or any of the other great feline contingent including Tom and Jerry, Snagglepuss, Mr Jinx (in cohorts with Pixie and Dixie), Sylvester, Lippy The Lion, Hokey Wolf or even Top Cat.
Not to be outdone – there’s your Hucklebury Hounds, your Oggie Doggy and Oggie Daddy, Snoopy, Scooby Doo, Mr Peabody or Underdog.
The menagerie wouldn’t be anywhere near complete without the addition of Bugs Bunny, Yogi Bear, Pepe Le Pu, Fog Horn Leg Horn, Bat Fink, Magilla Gorilla, Mighty Mouse, Atom Ant, Donald Duck or Woody Woodpecker.
Of course then there’s the human delegation.
Dudley Do-Right, Popeye, Homer Simpson, Mr Magoo, Betty Boop, Charlie Brown, Fred Flintstone, Baby Huey.
. . . or the superhumans – Prince Planet, Marine Boy, Superman.
Or how about our robotic friends – Astro Boy, Gigantor, Rosie – the Maid from the Jetsons or any of the Transfomers?
On and on it goes.
For every kid whose ever watched television or been to the movies – there’s a proliferation of characters and toons to recite.
From Shazam to Courgeous Cat, George of the Jungle to ‘Bing Bing Bing’ – Richocet Rabbit – there was something for everyone.
In the words of the famous desk calendar anon: “I Like to Watch”.
