Redartz: Hi folks! For today's excursion into animated discussion arises from a comment from our friend HB. In our last "Animated Congregation", he suggested a look at the voices behind our favorite cartoon characters. We can't let an excellent idea like that go unaddressed, and so: today we will check out four big vocal talents.
Mel Blanc
If someone asked you to name a cartoon voice talent, chances are you would say "Mel Blanc". The unbelievably talented Blanc was the audio force behind much of Warner Brother's vast array of characters. He also did work for Hanna Barbera studios, notably providing the dulcet tones of one Barney Rubble. Indeed, Blanc gave life to so many characters it's difficult to list them all. Just a short list: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Tweety, Marvin the Martian, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Woody Woodpecker, Dino the Dinosaur, Cosmo Spacely, Secret Squirrel, and Captain Caveman. It's hard to imagine how we'd have a Saturday Morning Cartoon to remember, had it not been for Mel.
Daws Butler
Daws also was responsible for a large number of familiar voices. Butler's early career found him working with Tex Avery at MGM, and with Stan Freberg on television. Yet he is perhaps best known for his work with Hanna Barbera studios, where he (along with Don Messick) handled much of the voice characterizations. Among his characters: Chilly Willy, Augie Doggie, Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, Captain Crunch and Quisp.
June Foray
June Foray has had an amazingly varied career. Ranging from radio voice acting to Disney Studios, Jay Ward Studios to "Frosty the Snowman", Hanna Barbera and Warner Brothers. She voiced everything from May Parker in "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends" to Cindy Lou Who in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Among the greats she voiced were Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Natasha Fatale, Nell Fenwick, "Granny" in the Warner Bros. shorts; and one of my personal favorites, Ursula from "George of the Jungle".
Bob McFadden
Perhaps less well-known overall than the above personalities, McFadden nonetheless showed great range and talent. Starting as a singer and impressionist, he worked on records with Rod McKuen and Harry Belafonte. McFadden moved into television, doing extensive work in commercials, and then voicing cartoons from Milton the Monster to Thundercats. Some of his 'greatest hits': Milton the Monster, Cool McCool and Frankenberry. McFadden also gave voice to a couple characters (one of them a dragon) in one of the 80's greatest animated tv films, "The Flight of Dragons".
Animated cartoons are a fascinating blend of visual and auditory creativity. We may certainly remember the onscreen gags, wild colors and imaginative design found in the best tv and film animation. However, the cartoons just wouldn't be as memorable (or nearly as effective) without these, and other actors, stretching their talents and voices to the limit. And now, to the dvd player; these clips have only whetted my appetite...
