From the Dick Buchanan Files: Humor v. Humour 1947 - 1965

"Separated by a common language" goes the saying for American and Brits trying to communicate. Dick Buchanan takes popular gag cartoon tropes and explores how cartoonists on both sides of the Atlantic spin a single panel about it. Thanks and take it away, Dick!



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HUMOR VS. HUMOUR
(1947 – 1965)



What is the difference between American humor and British humour? During the 20th century that was a question readers, scholars and crackpots alike discussed without reaching consensus. The subject was forgotten until one day it was remembered. 

The answer is a simple one. Humor knows no geographical boundaries. Nonetheless, your friendly Cartoon Clip File curator, always eager to tackle a pointless task, decided to explore the subject.
We have delved into the Cartoon Clip File, searching high and low for cartoons which illustrate how British and American cartoonists tackle identical subjects. These are topics, clichés, tropes and whatnot which appeared year in and year out in both British and American magazines. Some topics are more familiar to British readers, sheep and monks, for instance. They were included simply because we have had a bunch of them lying around for a really long time. 

Take a look at these single joke/gag cartoons and draw your own conclusion . . . 

UNWED MOTHERS

LESLIE STARKE. Lilliput May, 1954.

 ELMER ATKINS. Collier’s May 24, 1947.

 

ON A HOUSE DURING A FLOOD

KENNETH MAHOOD. Punch October 29, 1958.

 

TOM HENDERSON. Collier’s October 28, 1955.

NOAH’S ARK

ROY RAYMONDE. Punch June 27, 1962.

ORLANDO BUSINO. 1000 Jokes Magazine September – November, 1964.

THE TUNNEL OF LOVE

CHARLES PEARSON. 1000 Jokes Magazine March – May, 1956. 

ERIC BURGIN. Punch January 30, 1954.

SHEEP

NORMAN THELWELL. Punch July 23, 1953.

CLYDE LAMB. The Saturday Evening Post October 3, 1953.

MONKS

DONALD REILLY. Collier’s April 16, 1954.

LESLIE STARKE. Lilliput August, 1949.

SUGGESTION BOX

NORMAN BROCKBANK. Punch November 11, 1953.

VAHAN SHIRVANIAN. Look Magazine October 5, 1964.

CRAWLING ACROSS THE DESERT

NORMAN BROCKBANK. Punch April 24, 1952.

VIRGIL PARTCH. Collier’s November 23, 1955.

COUNTERFEITERS

MICHAEL FFOLKES (Brian Davis) Punch November 17, 1948.

JEFF KEATE. Collier’s February 5, 1954.

DOOR-TO-DOOR SALESMEN

VIRGIL PARTCH. True Magazine June, 1950.

ALEX GRAHAM. Punch January 28, 1953.

DOG SHOWS

DAVID LANGDON. Punch February 5, 1958.

JOHN GALLAGHER. Argosy September, 1965.