It is funny how we feel when we hear a famous person
died. Not too long ago Carol O’Connor died and TV and radio news and
entertainment programs gave numerous tributes to the actor who gave life
to one of TVs greatest characters, Archie Bunker. I am sure you had you
own feelings upon hearing the news.
Of course, much of those feelings depend upon your
age. If you only remember “All in the Family” via reruns on 'Nick at
Night", you no doubt have different feeling than those who remember
the show first hand and the warning of its content CBS displayed before
the broadcast of the first show.
Friday, February 22, 2002 another unique and
interesting character died. His name may not be as well know as many
celebrities and giants in the world of entertainment, sports, business,
or politics, but Chuck Jones is one to remember nonetheless.
Chuck Jones made cartoons. He did it as well as anyone
ever has or ever will. As an award winning animation director, he gave
life to such characters as Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy
Duck, and Tweety Pie. He directed the Grinch and
created many characters on his own including Road Runner, Wyle
E. Coyote, Pepe le Pew and the first ET, Marvin Martian.
His name flashed before us hundreds of times as we sat
to laugh and marvel at his characters. Yet, most of us never really took
the time to ask, “who is Chuck Jones?”
It is like that I guess with all directors. We know who they are
in a way, and have an appreciation for their craft, but let’s get
real. Do you go to a movie because Ron Howard directed it or because
Julia Roberts is staring in it? Do you watch a cartoon because Chuck
Jones directed it or because those screwballs Bugs and Daffy are in
it?
You may take the time to watch some unknown TV show or
movie with some unknown stars if you know who directed it and are
familiar with their past work. But unlike movie or TV directors who can
gain a realm of personal celebrity, directors like Chuck Jones would fit
in very nicely in the “do you know me” commercials. It is
only after they die and we read their obituary do we realize what we
lost.
I hate to admit it, but, although I knew the name of
Chuck Jones I never really did know all he did and how many smiles,
laughs, and good times I owe him. I am sorry about that.
In 1989, Mel Blanc, a cohort and partner in crime of
Chuck Long, died. (1989 also was when Chuck Jones published his
autobiography, “Chuck Amuck: The Life and Times of an Animated
Cartoonist”.) Mel
Blanc was the voice of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, and countless
more characters and movie and TV sound effects. Together with Chuck
Jones (and other behind the scene talents), they made us laugh and smile
and a little happier than we were a few minutes ago.
We felt like we knew Me Blanc. He made several
commercials and appeared on TV talk shows and in numerous newspaper and
magazine interviews. As much as I love baseball and wish I had better
skills and talents at it, I think I would have sold my soul to have the
voice talent of Mel Blanc. I laugh out loud even today when I think of
the reactions people would have had to my conversations with myself in
elevators, restaurants, waiting in lines, or in a college lecture hall
in the middle of a final exam.
For the most part we really didn’t know Chuck Jones.
I don’t remember ever seeing him on TV or reading an interview about
him. He remained anonymous to most people. I do envy his talent. I may
be able to write the words for the characters but I will never know the
thrill of bringing them to life as Chuck Jones did.
Baby Boomers grew up with Chuck’s creations. They
served as pseudo baby sitters for us as mom and dad plopped us down in
front of them knowing we were in fine hands. Today Baby Boomers plop
their own kids and grandkids down the same way. And just as kids have
done for 60 years, they still smile, and giggle, and laugh. They are
still a little happier than they were a few moments ago. And that, my
friends, is as terrific as it can get and as special a legacy anyone
would be proud to leave.
Thanks, Chuck.
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