Dick Buchanan's Cartoon Files: Cops and Robbers Gag Cartoons 1945 - 1968

Dick Buchanan has delved into his beloved stockpile of old magazine gag cartoons and unearthed some gems today Thanks so much, and take it away, Dick:

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COPS & ROBBERS - 1945 – 1968

A popular genre of cartoons in the 1940’s and 1950’s were the “Cops & Robbers” variety. For the most part, the criminals were lovable stumblebums and the victims took their experience with no ill feelings. On the street stickups and home burglaries were comical experiences, all in fun.

Here are a few examples from the file titled “CRIME DOES NOT PAY! -- except for cartoonists.”

1. SYD HOFF. The Saturday Evening Post. June 2, 1945

2. CLYDE LAMB. Lamb began cartooning while serving two 25-year terms in the Indiana State Penitentiary. His cartoons often reflected a different perspective. American Legion Magazine. March, 1953

3. HERBERT GOLDBERG. American Legion Magazine. October, 1955

4. VIRGIL PARTCH. American Legion Magazine. May, 1949

5. JOSEPH MIRACHI. The Saturday Evening Post. 1960

6. BOB WEBER. 1000 Jokes Magazine. September-November, 1964

7. HANK KETCHAM. When Mort Walker began editing 1000 Jokes, he began the magazine’s custom of publishing roughs and they are a great example of his method. 1000 Jokes Magazine. circa 1949.

8. SALO ROTH. True Magazine. April, 1948

9. LARRY REYNOLDS. Look Magazine July 7, 1958. Reynolds was a contract cartoonist with Collier’s. Butch was a popular feature in the 1940’s. When Collier’s folded, Butch followed editor Gurney Williams to Look Magazine The popular panel continued into 1960’s.

10. TOM HENDERSON. The Saturday Evening Post. June 5. 1954.

11. JOHN DEMPSEY. Collier’s. December 7, 1956.

12. VIRGIL PARTCH. Collier’s. December 14, 1946.

13. HANK KETCHAM. Finished work, near perfect, as always. Collier’s February 26, 1949.

14. B. WISEMAN. Bernie Wiseman left gag cartooning grind in the early 1960’s for the world of children’s books, with Morris the Moose. January 21, 1955.

15. TANN. Marvin Tannenberg updates Syd Hoff’s gag and we’re back where started. The Saturday Evening Post. September 22, 1962.

 

- Edited from an original blog entry of May 12, 2017.