Here we go again with a list of gag cartoon clichés and three samples
each. That's 21 clichés and 63 sample cartoons so far, and there is more
to come. This is all thanks
to the effort and time that Dick Buchanan spends putting into this, and
I'm grateful for it.
Take it away, Dick! And thanks! ---
GAG CARTOON CLICHÉS
Part Seven: 1937 – 1963
This
is the seventh installment of GAG CARTOONS CLICHÉS, selected in the
usual haphazard manner from the Dick Buchanan Cartoon Clip File for the
delight and amusement of all . . .
WILLIAM TELL.
1. TOM HUDSON. The Saturday Evening Post January 15, 1949.
2. SIDNEY HARRIS. Cartoons & Gags August, 1960.
3. BOB BARNES. For Laughing Out Loud January – March, 1962.
CRAWLING THROUGH THE DESERT.
1. VIRGIL PARTCH. Collier’s June 22, 1956.
2.
CHON DAY. The Saturday Evening Post September 28, 1962.
3. VIRGIL
PARTCH. Look Magazine May 18, 1963.
LIFE RAFT SURVIVORS.
1. AL
JOHNS. The Saturday Evening Post November 21, 1959.
2. DANA FRADON.
Collier’s March 4, 1955.
3. FRANK BAGINSKI. The Saturday Evening Post.
October 26, 1963.
SPEEDING TICKETS.
1. LEONARD DOVE. Look Magazine
December 13, 1955.
2. PHIL INTERLANDI. Collier’s May 27, 1955.
3. DON TOBIN. The Saturday Evening Post. April 18, 1953.
Howard Beckerman, beloved animator, teacher, author, historian and fellow Berndt Toast Gang member, passed away on Saturday. He was 93. His daughter, Sheri Beckerman Weisz, wrote "It is with great sadness to report that my father, Howard Beckerman passed away early this morning.”
Beckerman began his career in animation in 1949, right after
graduating from high school when Paul Terry hired him to join his famous
studio Terrytoons. As he wrote in his biography, “It was a golden age
of comics and animation, and I decided to do both. One day by taxi,
subway and trolley, I left Flatbush for Terrytoons to work on Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, and soon I was drawing Popeye and Casper the Friendly Ghost at Paramount’s Famous studios.”
After serving in the Korean War, Beckerman return to create create TV
spots for UPA and numerous New York animation studios. In 1970, he
launched the Beckerman studio with my wife Iris, where they created
commercials and sponsored films. “They brought smiles to audiences, and
our independent films brought awards,” he wrote. “I traveled the globe
as VP of International Association of film animators. Soon, I began
teaching as a favor and I’m still at it after many years at Parsons
School of Design and School of Visual Arts — all grist for writing my
book Animation: The Whole Story for all those who are excited about animation.”
In the 1960s, Beckerman worked on animated shorts such as The Trip, The Plumber, Forget-Me-Nots. In the 1980s, his credits include Boop Beep (1984) and Doug TV series (1981). He also produced animated segments for Sesame Street.
Animator/educator/historian Howard Beckerman passed away (perhaps
symbolically, this past Saturday Morning). I met Howard back in my SVA
and Asifa-East days in the early 1970s. He was always open and free to
speak – recounting his personal experiences at the studios (50s Famous,
UPA, 60s Paramount, etc.). His stories gave me insight and perspective
on animation history I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
Howard has only passed on – his memory will live forever; his films
will continue to entertain; his influence on a younger generation will
inspire for decades to come. Howard was beloved by the community.
There was such an outpouring of love by everyone who knew him, or
took his classes, or read his articles, on Facebook and other social
media, I wasn’t sure what to post today in tribute. Don Yowp posted this nice tribute on his Tralfaz blog.
How to remember Howard? It’s too soon for me to wrap my head around
that. I asked our Devon Baxter if I could repost his audio commentary
with Howard, over Howard’s brilliant little Paramount cartoon, The Trip (1966). Devon also sent a selection of Howard’s hilarious print cartoons from Top Cel.
I can’t think of anything that sums it up better. I included a few
other Paramount cartoons to this post which Howard contributed story and
design. We will all miss him.
A Beckerman cartoon from the New York Union newsletter, TOP CEL.
Howard was one of the members of a panel I moderated back in 2006. From left, standing: Howard Beckerman, Sandy Kossin, Mike Lynch, Stan Goldberg; sitting: Mort Drucker and Rina Piccolo.
Howard was
always just the nicest fellow and terribly unassuming. I remember the panel and some of the comments these pros made. It was a good “state of the cartooning
art” talk at the Great Neck Arts Center. I asked, “What’s the impact of
the internet?” This was the time when a 56k modem was considered pretty
darn fast. Howard correctly predicted, “Pretty soon, you're going to be
able to watch cartoons on anything, anywhere, any time" He thought for a
second, then his eyes twinkled, and added, "On your shoe."
The Berndt Toast Gang and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of the wonderful, talented, kind and generous, Howard Beckerman.
Howard has been an inspiration to me, all the BTG and, of course, thousands of animators, cartoonists and students.
Howard’s book, “Animation, The Whole Story,” will continue to inspire generations of animators.
I shall miss seeing that wonderful, beaming smile, listening to his wonderful stories and learning from his vast experience.
“May his memory last an eternity”
Jerry Beck's post above has links to many images and cartoons. Here's The Trip. Jerry Beck again:
The mid 1960s at Paramount was a little paradise for several
animator/designers working under Shamus Culhane. Culhane, Gil Miret and
Howard Beckerman had free rein to create shorts (albeit on a low
budget). Here is one of his best – with an audio commentary by myself
and Howard.
This video features legendary animation veteran and educator Howard Beckerman (1930-2024). Recorded by longtime friend and teaching successor Tommy José Stathes in May of 2019, the presentation was initially meant as parting words for Howard's animation history students, when a series of health problems forced him to retire mid-semester from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Howard's message contains lasting wisdom for artists and creatives, and his insights on the importance of kindness, personal relationships, and community are now a fitting tribute to a true gentleman on the occasion of his recent passing. Rest well, Howard Beckerman. All who've ever known you already miss you terribly.
The indoor plant is a money tree that is growing like crazy. A gift from Green Wave EV.
The raised beds are, this year, pretty much zinnias only. There are tomatoes and cucumbers in pots on the side porch. #gardening
The two beds below are 100% zinnias. Seeds were planted last month and they are growing fast. I'm hoping for some blooms before the first week of August.
Some heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers in the big pots on the porch.
Here we go with another in a series exploring classic gag
cartoons and classic gag cartoon clichés. This would not be possible
were it not for Dick Buchanan's vast file of great old gag cartoons
lodged in his Greenwich Village abode. I really love this series, and am
intrigued by all of the variations on these old, familiar tropes.
Please join me in thanking Dick and enjoy these golden age cartoon
clichés.
---
GAG CARTOON CLICHÉS
Part Six: 1945 – 1956
The words cliché and stereotype both come from the French and originally
were synonymous terms. Their meanings today are distinctly different.
A cliché is something hackneyed, such as an overly familiar or
commonplace phrase, theme or expression while stereotype today refers to
an often unfair and untrue belief many people may have about people or
things with a particular characteristic.
In the wide world of gag cartooning some clichés still remain, but gags
rooted in stereotypical images have gradually disappeared over time, to
be replaced by a more introspective and personal approach to humor.
Today we eschew the present and take a look at some gag cartooning
cliché’s from the mid-century era. Some of these clichés are relics of
the bygone past, while others are still a part of the gag cartoon
world. A new twist on an old gag is always welcome. However, some
subjects such as “Reading the Will” seem to have inspired little, if
any, imagination.
This is the sixth installment of GAG CARTOONS CLICHÉS chosen from the vast Dick Buchanan Cartoon Clip File . . .
BURGLARS WITH MASKS.
1. RALPH NEWMAN. American Legion Magazine March 1947.
2. DICK CAVALLI. 1000 Jokes Magazine November, 1955 – January 1956.
3. VIRGIL PARTCH. Collier’s November 10, 1945.
GREETING CARDS.
1. DICK CAVALLI. American Legion Magazine July, 1954.
2. KATE OSANN. Collier’s October 14, 1950.
3. MORT WALKER. The Saturday Evening Post November 29, 1949.
OLD CODGERS.
1. TOM HUDSON. American Legion Magazine September, 1953.
2. HENRY BOLTINOFF. 1000 Jokes Magazine Winter, 1952.
3. CHARLES ADDAMS. True Magazine October, 1945.
READING THE WILL.
1. MARTHA BLANCHARD. The Saturday Evening Post May 30, 1953.
2. SYD HOFF. True Magazine June, 1952.
3. W. A. VANESLOW. 1000 Jokes Magazine Fall, 1949.
THE LINEUP.
1. BOB BARNES. American Legion Magazine March, 1948.
2. RONALD LINDQUIST. The Saturday Evening Post May 30, 1953.
3. DON TOBIN. The Saturday Evening Post June 24, 1950.
Here we are half way through our trip looking at the golden age of magazine
cartooning clichés (at least for the time being).
Dick Buchanan has scoured the pages of his extensive magazine collection
housed at his Greenwich Village apartment and put these together for
your edification and amusement. Thanks, Dick, and take it away:
---
GAG CARTOON CLICHÉS
1948 – 1965
Thanks to the miracle of fiction I spend most of my time in the past.
That’s a good thing. From what I understand the present is fraught with
eminent peril.
This recent foray into the comic depths of the 20th Century has been in
search of gag cartoon clichés. To my surprise, I found the most popular
gag cartoon cliché during the mid-century was clearly the Boss and
Secretary. The ever-popular “Desert Island” gags were second.
While some clichés from the past remain in use today—cavemen, for
instance, have appeared regularly over the years up to the present.
Others, thankfully, are relics of the past. They will not be missed.
This collection, the 5th installment of gag cartoon clichés, concludes the current series.
SCULPTURE
1. JOHN GALLAGHER. The Saturday Evening Post January 8, 1955.
2. ED DAHLIN. For Laughing Out Loud April-June, 1959.
3. JOHN GALLAGHER. American Legion Magazine November, 1952.
Clients worldwide. National Cartoonists Society. Jack Davis Award winner. Recognized New Hampshire Arts Education Teaching Artist. New Hampshire Institute of Art and Design at New England College Comic Arts Program Adjunct Professor. Need cartoons and illustrations? Contact: mike@mikelynchcartoons dot com
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