Looney Tunes: An introduction

In 1930, Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising created the first Looney Tunes short cartoon, “Singin’ in the Bathtub.” The associate producer was Leon Schlesinger.

Singin’ In The Bathtub

The first Looney Tunes short cartoon was created for Warner Bros. This funny cartoon lasted 7 minutes and 53 seconds and was made in the well-known black-and-white musical style common for the time. The cartoon starts with Bosko singing in the shower and then going out to Honey so they can go on a road trip together.

This piece of history is in the public domain, as the copyright was not renewed. Consequently, it can be freely accessed and shared by the public.

Let’s take a minute and watch this iconic cartoon, right here.

Amazing, right 😊

As you can see, Bosko is clearly based on the successful character Mickey Mouse, created by Walt Disney. It was common practice among cartoon writers to base characters on each other’s work.

That’s All Folks

You might be wondering, who said the famous phrase, “That’s All Folks”? Well, it was… Yes, you guessed it, Bosko. Bosko first said, “That’s all folks,” in the 1930s in the classic cartoon, Singin’ in the Bathtub. So take your win at Trivia night when this question is asked.

Why The Looney Tunes Were Created

Warner Bros. created the first Looney Tunes cartoons as an answer to the incredible success of their competitor, Walt Disney, and the success of his Silly Symphonies cartoons. The Warner brothers wished to showcase their own musical talent. The name Looney Tunes is a clear reference to their musical talents and the silly and humorous performances of their cartoon characters.

Looney Tunes In The Golden Age

In the golden age (1940-1950) for cartoons, the Looney Tunes grew just like many other cartoon characters created in those days. Some of the most important contributors to this growth were legendary directors such as Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, and Bob Clampett. These directors not only had a unprecedented impact on the Looney Tunes but also on the cartoon industry back in the day, an influence that persists to this day.

It is in this golden age that characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, and Yosemite Sam came into existence. They entertained not only children with humor typical of the Looney Tunes but also adults of all ages. The humor in the Looney Tunes hit that sweet spot, where the humor for children contained hidden elements that entertained adults too.

Looney Tunes Winning The Oscars

The success of Looney Tunes not only captivated the general public but also caught the attention of the authorities who awarded successful theatrically-released motion pictures. We are, of course, talking about the Oscars. The Oscars have such an impact on theatrically-released motion pictures that they are given out yearly to this day and are the biggest award for theatrically-released motion pictures in the world.

The Looney Tunes received Oscars for:

• “Tweety Pie (1947) is an animated short film featuring the iconic characters Tweety Bird and Sylvester the Cat, where Sylvester repeatedly attempts to catch Tweety but is thwarted by the clever bird’s antics and the interventions of their owner.”
• For Scent-imental Reasons (1949) is an animated short film where the amorous skunk, Pepé Le Pew, pursues a reluctant female cat who has accidentally been painted with a white stripe, mistaking her for another skunk.
• So Much for So Little (1949) is an animated short documentary that highlights the benefits of public health services and emphasizes the importance of government investment in healthcare for children.
• Speedy Gonzales (1955) is an animated short film featuring the fastest mouse in all of Mexico, Speedy Gonzales, who uses his incredible speed and wit to outsmart Sylvester the Cat and help his fellow mice steal cheese from under Sylvester’s watch.
• Birds Anonymous (1957) is an animated short film in which Sylvester the Cat joins a support group called “Birds Anonymous” to curb his uncontrollable desire to catch and eat Tweety Bird, leading to humorous struggles as he tries to resist temptation.
• Knighty Knight Bugs (1958) is an animated short film where Bugs Bunny, in a medieval setting, is tasked with retrieving the Singing Sword from the Black Knight (Yosemite Sam) and his fire-breathing dragon, leading to a series of humorous and clever antics as Bugs outwits his adversaries.

Looney Tunes: From Movie Theater To Home Television

In the 1950’s the television made its introduction in people their living rooms. And as it is with all big inventions that change consumer behavior, the home television ended the golden age for cartoons. For the Looney Tunes this meant that Warner Bros closed their animation studio in 1963. And changed their focus to cartoons created for TV shows.

Looney Tunes shows like Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, The Bugs Bunny show and The Porky Pig Show entertained people directly in their living room. Slowly but surely, the succes of the Looney Tunes started to decline.

Looney Tunes Today

Where television ended the golden age for cartoons, streaming services are reviving them once again. Platforms like Netflix, HBO, and YouTube offer us the entertaining humor of the Looney Tunes at any moment we wish, ensuring that the classics are reaching the children of today.

The accessibility provided by these streaming services allows new generations to enjoy the timeless antics of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang. This widespread availability not only preserves the legacy of these iconic characters but also introduces them to a broader, more diverse audience.

Moreover, the resurgence of Looney Tunes on streaming platforms is accompanied by new content that stays true to the original spirit while appealing to modern sensibilities. This blend of classic and contemporary ensures that Looney Tunes remains a beloved staple in the world of animation, captivating both young viewers and nostalgic adults alike.