≡Puss Gets The Boot is the first Tom & Jerry short
Puss Gets The Boot is the first Tom & Jerry short, produced in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, initially under the names Jasper & Jinx. After its success, studio MGM ordered a series, renaming the characters Tom & Jerry. Since then, the series has achieved great success, with several Oscar nominations and wins, as well as comic book and video game adaptations. Music plays an important role in the episodes, with soundtracks consisting mainly of classical music. Despite its success, the series faced criticism for stereotypical racial depictions and controversial episodes, such as "Blue Cat Blues", which addressed dark themes such as suicide.
The origin of Tom and Jerry
The iconic characters of "Tom and Jerry" who were named Jasper and Jinx. Originally, these names were intended during the initial phase of development of the animated design, created by animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. However, the change for "Tom" and "Jerry" happened thanks to a suggestion made by an MGM animator, a responsible study for the production of the design.
The choice of simpler and more easy-to-name names, such as "Tom" for the cat and "Jerry" for the time, was a strategy to increase the identification of the public with the characters. The name "Tom" was associated with the idea of a common cat, while "Jerry" was chosen for being a reference to the stereotype of a clever and naughty time. These are the most effective ways to establish the dynamics of two characters and facilitate the construction of their personalities in animation.
"Tom and Jerry" premiered in 1940, and the logo became one of the two most popular and beloved animated cartoons in the world. The series was a great success, winning several awards, including seven Oscars for Best Curta-Metragem de Animação, and today it is considered one of the most influential animations in history. The change of names was just the first step to raising the legacy of these two characters who will continue to enchant generations.
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Discover some interesting facts about Animated Cartoon
The Woodpecker character was created by Walter Lantz in 1940
The Woodpecker character was created by Walter Lantz in 1940. The inspiration for the character came from a carpenter bird that Lantz observed on his honeymoon. Woody Woodpecker's first appearance was in the short film "Knock Knock", released in 1940. The short film was an instant success and launched Woody Woodpecker's career. Woody Woodpecker was originally voiced by Mel Blanc, who also voiced characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
Scooby-Doo's full name is Scoobert-Doo
Scooby-Doo's full name is Scoobert-Doo, derived from the song "Strangers In The Night" by Frank Sinatra. Initially, Mistério SA's formation was as a band called "The Mysteries Five". Scooby can only say limited sentences due to his speech impediment, rhotacism. In addition to Scooby, there are Skippy-Doo and Dooby-Doo, his triplet brothers. The Mystery SA van was found by Shaggy, but is driven by Fred. The official voice actor for Scooby-Doo in Brazil was Orlando Drummond until 2021, when Guilherme Briggs took over the role after Drummond's death. The franchise has 14 animated series, including "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" and "Velma". According to Tony Cervone, producer of the series, Velma is a lesbian, which is also explored in "Velma", shown on HBO Max in 2023. Scooby-Loo, introduced in the 70s, is considered a bad example for children due to his rebelliousness.
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a series of animated shorts considered a "sister" to Merrie Melodies, derived from Disney's Silly Symphonies series. It stands out for characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. The character Tweety (Tweety), originally pink and called Orson, was changed to yellow due to criticism. Bugs Bunny was the first TV character to cross-dress as a woman. He was named the most famous animated character of all time by TV Guide. Although Taz is popular, he has faced criticism for being considered "too violent". Bosko, the first major character in the series, is now seen as a black stereotype. Daffy Duck was the main character until Bugs Bunny stole his lead, resulting in a dynamic of rivalry between them on screen.
Courage, the Cowardly Dog, released in 1999
Courage, the Cowardly Dog, released in 1999, captivated the public with its mysteries and peculiar characters. Created by John R. Dilworth, the design was inspired by the names of the dog's owners, Chandler Muriel Bing and Ross Estácio Geller, from "Friends". It addressed serious themes such as machismo and domestic violence in episodes such as "The Mask", as well as possible references to serial killers. Nominated for an Oscar, it lost to "Wallace and Gromit". Theories suggest a connection to Area 51 and a homage to "The Exorcist." Coragem's fearful personality is explained by his isolated upbringing in a desert environment. Broadcast on Cartoon Network, it was a success from the beginning, especially with the episode "A Voyage of the Space Chicken".
Computerized animation course
Tin Toy (1988), produced by Pixar, was the first short computer animation to win an Oscar, marking a watershed in digital animation. Before "Tin Toy", animations were predominantly human-made, and the use of computers in animation was still a novelty. Pixar, with its innovative use of 3D animation technology, pioneered the transition to digital animation, creating a short story that mixed digital technology with an animation style that would become the basis for the company's future productions.
The short story tells the story of a tin jumper trying to escape from a naughty baby, and it impresses both the quality of the animation and the emotional depth of the story. Pixar used RenderMan animation software, which was developed in-house, to create the "Tin Toy" animation. This was the first time that the 3D animation technique was remade in such a significant way in the traditionally 2D animation world.
With the Oscar win for Melhor Curta-Metragem de Animação, "Tin Toy" not only established Pixar as a creative force in the industry, but also was a framework for the future of digital animation. This award opens the way for more technological innovations and for the success of long films like "Toy Story" (1995), or the first film completely made in 3D animation.
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