Transcripts For WDJT Through The Decades 20161015 : vimarsan

WDJT Through The Decades October 15, 2016

And im kerry sayers. And im your host, bill kurtis. Its the cast of characters through the decades. Those funny animated characters from the comics to saturday morning tv. We grew up with them. We couldnt find a more likeable and relatable group. They taught us what was right and wrong, helped us learn how to of course made us laugh. Today we celebrate some of our very favorite characters, through the decades, because even though we may be grown up now, the truth is we never drifted too far away. They still make us think, laugh and dream. So we begin where it all started, in the sunday paper. Where the debut of both tarzan and buck rogers on the same day later, the start of flash gordon in 1934. This trio of champions triggered a whole movement. They are now a staple of sciencefiction and adventure movies fighting blazing battles of good and evil in highflying spaceships and in exotic kingdoms but hollywood didnt bring them to life. They first captured our imaginations in a very different medium. In the early decades of the last century, newspaper comics were mainly devoted to lighthearted or farcical characters and storylines which is how they came to be called the funnies. But in 1929, the comics broad caricature of humankind gave way to a vision right out of michelangelo. The heroes had arrived. Buck rogers, created by appeared a year earlier, in the pulp anthology amazing stories. But it was in comics,that the futuristic fighter literally rocketed to pop culture stardom. The character was soon fighting interstellar evil on radio as well as in a popular movie serial where he was portrayed by former olympic swimmer Buster Crabbe. I dont get it. Those ships are at least 100 years ahead of anything i ever saw tarzans origins were earlier, in a 1912 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs and in a 1918 silent movie starring elmo lincoln. But it was the tarzan comic strip drawn by fine arts illustrator Burne Hogarth that created the image of the jungle lord that would be adopted for hollywood tarzans for decas to come including the versatile Buster Crabbe weissmuller, who made a vocal contribution to the tarzan legend to match hogarths visual one. Tarrzan yell unlike tarzan and buck rogers, flash gordon was a comicstrip original, created by alex raymond, who also provided the stunning visuals that helped make the strip an immediate sensation. Raymond also introduced comics first supervillain, raymond also introduced comics first supervillain, bedeviled flash gordon in every medium from radio to movies to television down through the decades. Enjoy your victory, flash gordon for we will meet again evil laugh that must be the entrance to the cavern like buck rogers and tarzan, flash gordon has made an especially as played by who else . Buster crabbe. But the real legacy of these three heroes is the door they opened for other comics adventure heroes, including dick tracy in 1931, mandrake the magician in 1934, the phantom in 1936, prince valiant in 1937 and when comic pages led to comic books, superman in 1938 comic pages led to comic books, superman in 1938 and batman in 1939. With all art forms, there comes a point where a new idea or vision takes the medium to new heights. For cartoons that happened in 1928. It was an artistic turning point fueled by the imagination of one man and the remarkable personality of one unforgettable mouse. Parks, the movie studio or any of the entertainment empire that has become synonymous with his name, walt disney was a struggling animator. In 1927, hed just lost the rights to his character oswald the lucky rabbit. But hollywood was on the verge of a technical revolution. Movies like the jazz singer were bringing the talkie to the masses. Walt was inspired and on november 17, 1928, the masses. Walt was inspired and on november 17, 1928, filmgoers saw and heard something new in the cartoon short that played before the feature. It was the first to use a click track during the recording session which allowed for full synchronization of sound and action. It was also the debut of a character called mickey mouse. Mickey was a sensation. Right from the beginning, people young and old, in every themselves captivated by this little happy creature, who appealed to the child in all of us. As the animators got better, walt was able to get more of his own feelings about the character, more of his own personality interjected there and he did more with the voice, and the animators were able to respond. So mickey grew and grew. Mickey would become one of the first worldwide popculture phenomenons and one of the most enduring. You know in the 1930s during the depressi m 68,000 licenses were granted around the world for companies to produce mickey mouse merchandise. And in fact, mickey mouse helped carry several companies out of bankruptcy, including the Lionel Train Company when they came up with a mickey and minnie mouse sidecar, hand car, in 1934 just in time for christmas. Today, mickey mouse has a 99 percent recognition factor on the planet, i think thats probably most than your great heads of state. Our journey of the most iconic cartoons through the decades has only just begun. Still ahead, well turn back the lens of time on how the dream of two cleveland teens would spawn one of the most notable heroes in history. We remember when a talking rabbit made his debut on the small screen. We r introduction to the first animated sex symbol. Plus, well take you back in time for the birth of a reindeer with an unforgetable story. Then, well delve into the history behind a character thats been the protector of forests for more than 70 years. And we look back on a series of 30second animated shorts about a dysfunctional family that struck a chord and landed a place in television history. Its all still to come right for generations, the man of steel has been instantly recognizable. The archetype cloaked in blue and red and branded with a bold letter s. Our look at cartoons through the decades turns now to last son of krypton. Up in the sky, look its a its superman superman, the preeminent superhero was born from the minds of two teenage boys living in cleveland, ohio, jerry siegel and joe shuster. They met at Glenville High School in the early 30s and began collaborating almost immediately. Jerry would write and joe would draw. Their first rendition of superman came in 1933 as a bald villain but a year later, siegel revised the character to be a hero and for the next four years siegel and shuster searched for a publisher eventually catching the eye of National Allied Publications was an instant hit and in 1939, National Allied Publications decided to launch superman into its own self titled comic book which, at the time, had never been done before. Within a few years, superman was selling over a million copies a month becoming a certified phenomenon and an integral hallmark of American Culture as the embodiment of moral American Culture as the embodiment of moral fortitude and sheer, infinite strength. Well, i think its actually interesting that this character was sort of a creation of the depression, which is peoples feeling of powerlessness and the notion of two kids creating a person that has all the abilities in the world, is sort of indicative of the era that was created in which was in the middle of the depression. But superman would far outlive the era of his creation faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap Tall Buildings in a single bound. Those are fantasies that have stretched across all generations but while the character amassed a media dynasty, the creators wouldnt be so lucky. This is a story of two menho dreamed up a super idea and then saw others race away with it faster than a speeding bullet. We felt, at one time, during these long years that it was our American Dream and our American Dream then became an american tragedy. Going back to supermans very first appearance in action comics number one, siegel and shuster sold the rights to their work to National Allied Publications. Haunt the two in the decades that followed. On several occasions, they fought to retain the rights but were largely unsuccessul until 1976 when they were finally granted a concession. The final agreement was signed today. Siegel and shuster, both 61, will each receive an annual twenty thousand dollar pension, full medical care and provisions for relatives. Their byline restored. That twenty thousand was later increased to thirty thousand, they created. From young imaginations to the strips of a comic book page, the screens of hollywood and beyond. The same immortality that shuster and siegel empowered their character with has come to fruition in a society forever fascinated by the super human. Thats a wonderful story lois. Thanks, clark but i owe it all now we head back to 1970, the same year the first comiccon was starting in san diego when cbss Charles Kuralt examined the idea of collecting old comic books. You know how book shops are. They are quiet dignified places. The cherokee book shop on hollywood boulevard is no different. The loudest sound tends to be a browser clearing his throat but if you go up the stairs a to a room in the back, you find an entirely different atmosphere. Here the ruthless war mongers of europe are focusing on a peace loving america and facing captain america. Here the ghastly, grim, jester known as the joker does battle with batman and robin, the boy wonder. Here superman incessantly fights the forces evils and injustice. Kids always loved comics for for the same reason. The result was that as soon as the kids backs were turned, their mothers threw them out. Only a few comic books of the 30s and 40s survived. Enter burt bloom, the comic book king of hollywood boulevard who knows a priceless american artifiact when he sees one. This batman 20 is in pretty good shape. You know, theyre usually much more. I got to get five on that one. Its a good one. And the 17 should be a lot more but ill make that five also. Okay. Ill look all these over. Also, if youve got any worlds finests between about 71 and 80. I need about three of those. Yeah. Theyre in the cabinet. How many comic books do you have in this incredible place . I really dont know. I estimate probably between 100 and 150 thousand. Really . Its perfectly astonishing. It does take you back doesnt it . Everybody remembers these things. But i gather, not everybody saves them . No. Theres about 2,000 hard core collectors that you know like spend a lot of money on it and like are the same as coin or stamp collectors and theres a lot of other people who just maybe get one or two for nostalgia, come in to get somebody a present or something or just because they remember superman or batman or a certain issue, theyll come in to buy that. Superman isnt the only character whose s chord with most americans. While our next character may not be a hero, hes just as beloved well remember the debut of a mischievous rabbit that would become one of the most enduring characters of the 20th century. Plus, the reindeer who has become a staple of holiday television. This is through the decades. Whats up, doc . Whats up, doc . If you ask it, you may get a funny look but everyone knows the reference. Its a phrase the world has heard overandover spoken in an seminal voice by an infamous rabbit. Ever since bugs bunny first popped out of his carrot filled den in 1940 you know i believe this fella is a rabbit. Technically he was a bunny. A bunny that became more than just a cartoon character. American history and he made his very first appearance alongside elmer fudd in the short a wild hare july 27, 1940. Shhhh. Be vewy, vewy quiet. Im hunting wabbits. Just a few moments after fudds famous opening line, the cartoon hero popped into our lives and delivered his own. Whats up, doc . Our lives and delivered his own. Whats up, doc . It was the first time voice actor mel blanc would bring bugs to life. It was one of what would become hundreds of shorts, commercials, and Television Shows starring the skinny, charismatic rabbit. Bugs trademark accessory has always been his floppystalked carrots. However, that came from the mind of longtime looney tunes producer friz freleng. Said he got his inspiration for bugs from 1935 best picture winner it happened one night starring clark gable and claudette colbert. In one scene in particular, you can see why. You better have one of these. Best thing in the world for you, carrots. Can you imagine anybody acting like that . You know, i think the poor guys screwy. A wild hare earned an oscar nomination in its own right for animated shorts nomination in its own right for animated shorts just one film. He helped raise war bonds during world war ii, earned a star on the hollywood walk of fame, and in 1997, became the first cartoon character to get his own postage stamp. Mel blanc voiced nearly all of the characters in those Warner Brothers cartoons. But even after his death in 1989, me. Dont die little rabbit the character he helped create lives on. Whether its alongside Michael Jordan in space jam or the original crop of looney tunes cartoons, bugs bunny is as recognizable today as any character ever brought to life. A life that began on july 27, 1940 with three famous words. A life that began on july 27, 1940 with three famous words. Whats up, doc . While bugs bunny drew the kids to the tv, were turning our attention to a few characters that targeted an older age group. Still ahead, we remember the provocative cartoon siren betty boop. Plus, the birth of an iconic bear with a message that is still heard today. And the Pivotal Moment for a Young Television network. How a family changed everything. John, were giving you a raise. Thats fantastic but im gonna pass. Are you ok . Honey, you got another present. No thank you, dad. Who says no to more . Time warner cable internet gives you more of what you and those little data hoggers want. Like ultrafast speeds up to 50 megs. Thats 8x faster than dsl. This Internet Speed is sick. T 39. 99 a month. Call now. And with home wifi, the whole family can be online at once. G reat for kids to stream scary shows while not cleaning their room. Youll also get our exclusive 1hour arrival window, a moneyback guarantee, and theres no contract to sign. Get 15 meg internet with no data cap starting at 39. 99 a month. Plus, free installation and access to over 500,000 twc wifi . Hotspots nationwide. I dont think so. Say yes to more. Call now. In 1930, Fleischer Studios in new york city with backing from paramount pictures, introduced a new character, who would soon become the queen of the animated screen. Boop oop a doop a doop. Betty boop made her debut in a august 9, 1930. The original character was designed as a sexy canine Love Interest for bimbo, the Fleischer Studios star. She was totally my creation and it seems about 850 Million People think shes the cutest character. Grim natwick was one of the head animators with Max Fleischer and he was doing a little dog and he decided lets make a little girl out of her and he spoke to max about it and before you know it, they made a face and they had me walking and doing Little Things and thats how she became betty boop. She was different, cute and almost like for real, you know . Like a little girl, or a grown up girl with a sexy look about mae questel became the voice of and model for betty boop in 1931. I always acted like her. And i still can do her voice if i want to, you know, way up high, boop, boop oop a doop. laughing after questel came on board, betty morphed from dog to human being, her long, floppy ears replaced by large hoop earrings. Being, her long, floppy ears replaced by large hoop earrings. We like to boop a doop. Boop boop a doop and thats my weakness now. The hit 1932 cartoon, stopping the show, made her a full fledged star and talkartoons was renamed betty boop cartoons. She went on to imitate other stars of the day like maurice hello beautiful howd you get so beautiful . But over the next several years, the production code tamed bettys wardrobe and persona and the last cartoon was created in 1939. Fifty years later, betty made a triumphant comeback in the 1988 film who framed roger rabbit . boop boop a doop. And two years after that, betty celebrated her sixtieth birthday still as sexy as ever. Celebrated her sixtieth birthday still as sexy as ever. As old as i am, i still feel like betty boop. Do you remember the most famous reindeer of all . Surely you recall. Its rudolph. But did you know the story behind rudolph the rednosed reindeer . It started simply enough as a holiday promotion for a Department Store in 1939. Rudolphs backstory begins in at retail giant Montgomery Ward, adverstising copywriter robert may was given a new assignment to create an original christmas story for a holiday giveaway. His boss wanted him to write a comic book paper comic book to give away in their Toy Department with a toy purchase. And they knew my father was very good at writing short stories, um. Very good with limericks and rhymes and he was kind of known for that at the office. May decided to make a reindeer christmas story and similar to the childrens classic, the ugly duckling, he wanted the main character to have an underdog quality and overcome a daunting obstacle. He drew upon his own childhood as a bright but undersized youngster. The story is autobiographical because my father skipped a lot of grades, he was always the youngest in his class, he was small in stature. Fitting in, not being part of the group, but then realizing, ultimately, maybe the one thing that made them odd was going to be something to change their life for the good and change everyone elses life for the good. May gave his main character a glowing red nose bright enough to guide santas sleigh through a foggy christmas eve. And he named him rudolph. Then may dove into writing the story sometimes running lines by his wife and fouryearold daughter, barbara. By his wife and fouryearold daughter, barbara. Teller. I had stories every night. And, i just remember his checking with me a few really difficult words like stomach which he tho

© 2025 Vimarsana