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That's All Folks: Chuck Jones RIP

Posted by chrisd on from the tom-and-jerry-define-repetitive-genius dept.

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.

32 of 339 comments (clear)

  1. What makes a good cartoon by rosewood · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I spent 4-5 hours the other night talking about what makes a good cartoon and Chuck Jones was the name we brought up the most. Good slapstick fun that entertains the young ones. More advanced humor for those out of gradeschool, but yet still have the slapstick appealing. Then, working your cartoon with the music directors, etc.

    Genuis, no doubt

    If anything, his death should prompt cartoon network to run a lot of chuck jones - the silver lining my friends

    --
    The ultimate network admin tool needs HELP!
    1. Re:What makes a good cartoon by Forge · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's good to see someone can find a silver lineing, even in the death of one of the greatest shapers of human behavior in the modern world.

      Chuck Jones defined the "cartoon Cartoon" as oposed to the

      kids cartoon; Which is designed to not warp a child too much [Magic SchoolBus]

      or the movie cartoon; like a live action feature but alowing special efects which would be deficult in live action. [Prince of Egypt]

      or even the superhero cartoon. [transformers].

      Nope a cartoon cartoon is one that's not good for your VCR because you keap rewinding to see just how stupid an expresion the character has when he realises he has been walking on air for some time and must now obay gravity.

      --
      --= Isn't it surprising how badly I spell ?
    2. Re:What makes a good cartoon by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Insightful
      As I've read, Chuck wasn't just a gifted animator, but a good man who took care of his workers and many sought to work for, particularly after the draconian working conditions at Disney.

      Tex Avery (Droopy, Red Hot Riding Hood) is another in Chucks League. These guys set the bar few attempt to reach anymore.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. D*mn by TheDigitalOne · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now we will never know if the Coyote ever catches the Road Runner.

    1. Re:D*mn by ashitaka · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.
    2. Re:D*mn by drwiii · · Score: 5, Funny

      For what it's worth, I just so happen to have a frame grab of that.

  3. Where's the kaboom? by dagnabit · · Score: 5, Funny
    There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom...

    R.I.P., Mr. Jones, and thanks for sharing your talents.

  4. And the copyrights last forever by digiZen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sadly, after his death, a mega corporation continues to profit from his works, and with copyrights getting perpetually extended, control will never be relinquished. Would he had wanted the public to have access to his works after he passed away? Personally, I would like everything that I create to eventually find the greatest possible use after I'm gone. After all you can't take it with you. There's no better way than for the work to end up in the public domain. Yet, our laws and a few greedy individuals are going to prevent this from occurring. Something has to get done.

    1. Re:And the copyrights last forever by CashCarSTAR · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

    2. Re:And the copyrights last forever by $lashdot · · Score: 4, Insightful

      In truth, Warner Bros. was lazy and let a significant amount of cartoons slip into the public domain. Some of them they intentionally did not renew because they are considered racially insensitive and WB no longer wanted to be associated with them. Further muddying the waters, is the fact that MGM wound up with the classic "Golden Age" 30-40's ones, while WB only retains ownership of the slicker, later ones 50's-60's.

      Jones himself was smart enough to start his own production company, and did make money selling images (cels and retreads) of the cartoons he had previously created. It would take WB another decade or two to catch on to that one.

      So, we have a case where the company in charge sold or last half of the pertinent copyrights, and then was late to the table to remarket what remained. Not every company is the exploitation machine that Disney is.

      Check out Dave Mackey's WB cartoon filmography. It's the first WB cartoon-related website to have a blurb. I'd expect something from chuckjones.com and WB/looney tunes soon, though.

      Another sad day, but oh, what memories.

  5. Pure genius. by meth88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bugs: "Do you want to shoot me now or wait till you get home?" Daffy: "SHOOT HIM NOW! SHOOT HIM NOW!" Bugs: "You keep outta this; he doesn't have to shoot you now." Daffy: "Oh, yeah? Well, I say he DOES have to shoot me now! So SHOOT ME NOW!" --BANG!-- Daffy: "Let's try that again..." Bugs (shrugging): "Okay; do you want to shoot me now or wait till you get home?" (in a flat, actor read-through voice) Daffy: "Shoot him now; shoot him now." (Ditto) Bugs: "You keep outta this; he doesn't have to shoot you now." Daffy: "AH HA! (aside to the audience)Pronoun trouble. It's not he doesn't have to shoot you now, he doesn't have to shoot me now. Well, I say he DOES have to shoot me now! SO SHOOT ME NOW!" --BANG!--

  6. enjoyed the pbs documentary by McQuaid · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens -- A life in animationwas a great documentary I caught a couple of years back. Among some of the fans giving there insights were Whoopi Goldberg, THE SIMPSONS creator Matt Groening, Ron Howard, TOY STORY director John Lasseter, Steven Spielberg, and Robin Williams.

    But what kept bugging me while watching these people give praise to his work and what joy it gave to them, I couldn't help but think what a shame it is that a lot of the original works are cut or not shown in their entirety or not at all. Here in Canada, the only looney toons is the road runner show shown three times a week. Most kids growing up in Canada right now probably only have seen a fraction of the great classics. I understand it's much better in the U.S. with cartoon network but here viewings of the originals are practically nil.

  7. Duck Amuck: I remember that! by bigdreamer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm just a yungin' (20), but I always preferred older cartoons to the stuff that comes out these days. My all-time favorite short cartoon is Duck Amuck.

    Apparently, Chuck Jones did a lot of cool stuff besides Bugs Bunny & Co. His biography says he directed another of my favorite cartoons, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

    Interestingly enough, my interest in science came from one of his cartoons. You know, the one with the mad scientist and his gigantic red hairy monster. Bugs Bunny outwitted them both, of course. But I was so impressed with the gadgetry that I declared to my folks that I would be a Mad Scientist when I grew up. I would even find empty bottles, "mix" their contents, and drink the "potion." In my head I was Jekyll and Hyde. But now I'm way OT...*Reminiscing for a moment*

    [rant]
    How come they didn't advertise this when he was still alive? Why all this list of achievements after I can't write him a letter to thank him? I know the answers, 1) The info is already out there and 2) Dead people make more news. But still, he'll never know how much I appreciated his work. Chuck Jones taught me what humor is. 1337 skillz are nice, but laughter is priceless.
    [/rant]

    1. Re:Duck Amuck: I remember that! by ashitaka · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is what is so great about Chuck's work.

      I am twice your age. I loved his cartoons.

      My kids are half your age. They love his cartoons.

      And you probably haven't seen a quarter of his work.

      --
      If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
    2. Re:Duck Amuck: I remember that! by kfg · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I am more than twice his age. I love his cartoons.

      My Daughter is older than he is and we have spent many, many hours watching his cartoons together.

      My parents loved Chuck Jones cartoons, THEIR parents loved Chuck Jones cartoons, my great grand children are certain to love Chuck Jones cartoons.

      It's almost impossible to overstate how wonderful the works of Mr. Jones are and their universality is only one of the many attributes that make them that way.

      With luck one of the local art theaters will stage a film festival of his work. If you havn't seen them on film, in a theater, you don't even know what they really look like. They are real art.

      Hanna and Barbera have a lot to answer for.

      I'll never have to miss Chuck. He'll be "alive" as long as humanity is.

      KFG

  8. Re:Not just Chuck by Kirruth · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fred Quimby, Mel Blanc, Charles Schultz and now Chuck Jones.

    We are at the closing of an Age.

    I'm hoping when they get to Heaven, someone hands them an anvil and they tumble back to Earth.

    --
    "Well, put a stake in my heart and drag me into sunlight."
  9. A sad, sad day by Martin+Blank · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There used to be a Warner Brothers store near me, and they had hanging on one wall a large image of a number of classic characters standing in the shadows, the spotlight on a microphone with nobody there to use it. It was a memorial to Mel Blanc, and even now when I think of it, I get a little misty-eyed. In an odd way, I look forward to the tribute that will be paid to Chuck Jones.

    What I find saddest, though, is a conversation I recently had with a friend's kids. They're 8 and 6, and they know who the Rugrats and Spongebob Squarepants (that one scares me) are, but they barely know who Bugs Bunny is, thought they knew Daffy and Elmer, recognized Yosemite Sam, but had no clue who the Tazmanian Devil, Marvin the Martian, Wile E. Coyote, the Road Runner, or Sylvester are. (Oddly enough, the younger of the two knew of Marvin's dog, and described him enough to convince me. Weird.) Even the youngest are being pulled so far into the "NEW NEW NEW" mentality pervading media culture that they have no clue what led to the current generation. Some of them don't even know about Mickey and Minnie, but they know everything about the Little Mermaid or the Lion King.

    My children will know the classics. Oh, yes. They will know.

    --
    You can never go home again... but I guess you can shop there.
    1. Re:A sad, sad day by Masem · · Score: 5, Informative
      The print you recall is called "Speechless", and probably one of the best things that WB could have done to tribute the death of Mel Blanc. A similar work was done when F. Freling passed away, though it wasn't as catchy as the first one (most people know who Mel and Chuck are, but Freling is only well known to animation buffs).

      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:
  10. Best Music Video Ever: Rabbit of Seville by ewhac · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Chuck Jones took the overture to Rossini's Barber of Seville and, with Carl Stalling's virtuoso arrangement, created an absolute cinematic masterwork.

    Music videos today are just a jumble of images assembled nearly at random. Chuck Jones rose to the challenge and gave Rabbit of Seville an actual plot, while still remaining almost perfectly true to Rossini's original score. Not only that, but Stalling's spirited orchestration makes you want to go out and track down Rossini's other works. (The overtures to Semiramide and The Thieving Magpie are just begging for cartoons of their own.)

    It's a damn shame it doesn't get broadcast much anymore.

    Schwab

    --
    Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
    1. Re:Best Music Video Ever: Rabbit of Seville by jdcook · · Score: 5, Interesting
      I love Rabbit of Seville but What's Opera, Doc? is better.

      True story: One evening at the University of Wisconsin in the mid-80s I was waling accross campus. The student orientation program (SOAR) was going on at Union South. For entertainment, they had a showing of the original (i.e. with Adam West) Batman movie. Before that, however, they showed What's Opera, Doc?.

      Every single incoming freshman, regardless of race, creed, color, or any of that other BS, enthusiastically sang "Kill the wabbit. Kill the WABBIT. KILL the WABBIT."

      And people say there's no common cultural heritage anymore.

      (OTOH, my favorite WB Chuck Jones cartoon is Duck dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century.)

      --
      Q:How many libertarians does it take to stop a Panzer division? A:None. Obviously market forces will take care of it.
  11. Chuck Jones RIP by Devlin-du-GEnie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How appropriate . . . finding out early on a Saturday morning.

    My parents always hated how I would cheerfully get up at 6:45 a.m. on a Sataurday to watch Bugs & Daffy, but had to be dragged out of bed kicking and screaming on school days.

    I miss the explosive (sometimes literally) creativity of those early years of studio animation. Chuck Jones was at the heart of it.

    They say you're old when your childhood icons begin to die. This morning, I feel a lot older.

    Have fun rescripting the afterlife, Mr. Jones. I'm sure heaven will never be =quite= the same.

  12. Sheer Genius by The+Cat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Although I can't state for certain which cartoons were or were not directed or animated by Chuck Jones, I've found that most of the greats were:

    Daffy Duck as Robin Hood "ho ha-ha guard turn parry" especially the part where Porky Pig makes Daffy laugh after he falls into the river

    "Whoa Camel, whoaaaa camel, awww come on whoa?? When I say whoa, I mean WHOA!!"

    Bugs Bunny as the Conductor with the tenor who he makes hold the high note until the auditorium collapses. (The tuba scene at the beginning is priceless)

    "DUCK DODGER IN THE 24TH AND A HALF CENTURYYYYYY!!!"

    Bugs Bunny vs the Gas House Gorillas and the conga line around the bases with the 93 1/2 year old pitcher

    Bugs, the huge red monster and the mad scientist in the castle with the neon sign flashing "Mad Scientist, Boo"

    "Wile E. Coyote.. super genius... I like the way that rolls out.. .Wile Eeee Coyoteeeeee suuuuuuper geeeenius..."

    Of course, there are too many to list, but these are some that I'm reminded of immediately. Chuck Jones: An absolute genius.

  13. Chuck is my hero 'cause he's so big and strong. by retrosteve · · Score: 5, Informative
    This comes from a Chuck Jones fan who went a little too far. Realizing about 10 years ago that all my favorite cartoons had been written by the same guy, I went and investigated his life. I also bought a few of his more recent signed works (he did amazing cels and giclee' art ).

    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.

    "Well whaddya expect in an Opera? A happy ending?"
    --Bugs Bunny, What's Opera, Doc?
  14. Re: That's something they could put on his tombsto by Psiren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Reminds me of something Billy Conolly said in an interview once. He said he wanted to have really tiny writing on his gravestone so that people would have to stand on his grave to read it. Then a pre-recorded voice would say "You're standing on my balls!". So damn funny!

    Seems to me people wth a good sense of humour are still planning to make people laugh when they're gone. I guess Chuck falls into this category too. We'll still be laughing at his cartoons many years from now.

  15. A time for celebration, not mourning by MtViewGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Folks,

    I think with the passing of Chuck Jones it is not a time for mourning, but a time for celebration. The fact he even lived to a ripe old age of 89 meant he lived a truly full life, to say the least.

    It is time for a celebration of an output of animation that is arguably unmatched. From his work in the early Tom & Jerry cartoons at MGM to the amazing opera parodies he did in the 1950's to everything else he did, he was probably the best embodiment of the zenith of cartoon short subject films during their heyday.

    I will say "Thank you, and Godspeed," to truly one of the true giants in the entertainment industry.

  16. Chuck and his real cartoons ... by pgrote · · Score: 3, Informative

    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

  17. Memorial donations to Chuck Jones foundation? by Hobart · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hmm, no one else seems to have mentioned this one...

    On his official site, it looks like there is mentioned a Chuck Jones Foundation

    "...to recognize, reward, support, and inspire continued excellence in the field of classic animation. The Foundation awards an annual Student Excellence Scholarship to a student whose work shows great potential in advancing and expanding the character animation medium."
    They're also assembling an art collection for exhibition in major museums, libraries, universities, and art galleries.

    (In case of /. effect)

    Send your tax deductible checks to:
    The Chuck Jones Foundation
    17771 Mitchell
    Irvine CA 92614
    (949)660-7791
    --
    o/~ Join us now and share the software ...
  18. Chuck Jones: Why WB is cooler than Disney by connorbd · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Your stars: an eternally chipper, squeaky-voiced, squeaky-clean mouse vs. a slightly insane, unnervingly smart Borscht Belt rabbit.

    Your supporting cast: on the one hand, another mouse, a dog, another dog (except this one talks), a spluttering duck; on the other hand, a bashful pig, an obsessive hack hunter, a martian, a coyote, and a spluttering duck. Not to mention other random characters on each side.

    One is a paragon of virtue to everyone but the craziest of Christian fundies. The other is a paragon of high comedy to everyone except people who think kids take cartoon violence seriously.

    One gave birth to Animaniacs. The other gave birth to infinite copyright extensions.

    Now which one would you rather watch?

    Chuck Jones, we'll miss you.

    /Brian

  19. Tributes to Chuck, Letters From the Heart by Hatter · · Score: 3, Informative
    I was browsing ChuckJones.com and came across a section entitled, "Letters from the heart." It's a area where you can write in your tributes to Chuck, and tell how his work has touched you.

    I think it's all that more important to write now. Here's the link.

  20. I learned French from Pepe Le Pew by konmaskisin · · Score: 3, Funny


    I always spoke French awkwardly (many anglo Canadians speak French with an Anglo accent on purpose in order to signal they "don't really speak French") ... Finally I had a class where the French teacher said: "il faut exagérer pour prendre l'habitude - tu devrais faire semblant que tu es Pepe Le Pew à chaque fois que tu parles français".

    Heheh ... it worked.

  21. Re:Chuck Jones ruled by rosewood · · Score: 3

    Wow
    Vary rarely do you see upper management's fatal flaws being put to such good use.

    I know the loony toon's commedy timing like doctor's know the beat of a heart. It still is some of the most genuis comic timing I have ever seen. Even the total length of the cartoon was perfect. Never too long and only too short to make you want another!

    --
    The ultimate network admin tool needs HELP!
  22. The Grinch... by zoward · · Score: 4, Informative

    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?"