Slashdot Mirror
That's All Folks: Chuck Jones RIP
Whamo writes: "Legendary animator, Chuck Jones, creator of classic cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Road Runner, & Pepe Le Pew has died (cnn) aged 89 years. When you were a kid was there ever a better baby-sitter than several hours of Looney Tunes & Merry Melodies? Thank you, Mr. Jones for all the great memories and, respectfully, That's All Folks...." CT: I just
wanted to mention that Chuck actually read Slashdot. We
had a poll once where he was an option, and he was
flattered that he was winning it.
He did. In a 1980 cartoon.
Unfortunately he had been shrunk down to insect size at the time.
He then holds up a sign saying: "OK wise guys, you always wanted me to catch him. Now what do I do?"
Admit it, you can just picture it...
And a little smile is spreading on your face.
If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
Actually Chuck Jones is getting next to nothing for all the work he's done over the years. Yes let me repeat that. Next to nothing. It seems that he was one of the original artists (and he was an artist) to get slammed with a "work for hire" clause in his contract. After he was forced out of WB, he recieved very little renumeration for his years of work. However, that's not to say he died a poor man, hardly the case. He spent the last few years of his life recreating some of the classic scenes from the cartoons for sale. He made quite a pile that way. Something telling in this story I think.
Chuck Jones had an excellent wit, which you can experience in his two hilarious and informative biographies, Chuck Amuck and Chuck Reducks . His writing is dry and Mark-Twainish, with personal touches that never get *too* personal.
His recent work (he was creating Shockwave cartoons of "Thomas Timberwolf" up to this month!) is available linked from his own website.
Anyway, enough karmawhoring, I am writing this with tears in my eyes. So long and that's all folks to my last American hero.
--Bugs Bunny, What's Opera, Doc?The passing of a legend is never an easy thing, but in the case of Chuck Jones his work will live on forever for others to enjoy.
It's a bummer that most people will never be able to enjoy what we did as kids. A good number of his cartoons have been "cleaned up" and the violence removed.
Over at the censored cartoon page (http://www.toonzone.net/looney/ltcuts/) they have a list of what cartoons have been cut as well as what was cut.
There is a link to a few uncensored cartoons that bring back many many great Saturday morning or after school memories (http://www.nonstick.com/wmovies/index.html)
And you can buy the uncensored cartoons if you look hard enough. This site gets you off to a great start. http://www.megalink.net/~cooke/looney/amazon.html
Unfortunately, as the WB stores have all but closed up, it's doubtful that a companion piece will be made available. It would be great if they could, but...
"Pinky, you've left the lens cap of your mind on again." - P&TB
"I can see my house from here!" - ST:
Hmm, no one else seems to have mentioned this one...
On his official site, it looks like there is mentioned a Chuck Jones Foundation
They're also assembling an art collection for exhibition in major museums, libraries, universities, and art galleries.(In case of /. effect)
o/~ Join us now and share the software
I think it's all that more important to write now. Here's the link.
I'm surprised that this thread has so many responses and no one has yet mentioned Chuck Jones' brilliant collaboration with Ted Giesel (AKA Dr. Seuss). Back before the VCR made it possible to watch your favorite stuff over and over again, I used eagerly pour over TV Guide listings around Christmastime looking for anyone who would broadcast the Grinch... *Sigh* - Rest In Peace, Chuck.
"Can't you see that everyone is buying station wagons?"