Thank you for the idea in the first place, Brian! ...

2006-08-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the idea in the first place, Brian! And thanks also for your kind comment, and your insightful and useful blog.

I had never before made the connection between the Wolf in Three Little Bops and Ornette Coleman. It's an excellent point. Your bringing this to my attention could well color my view of this cartoon. Jazz is one of my weaker areas of knowledge, but I do have a passing familiarity with Coleman and I'm aware that he was (and remains) quite controversial, especially among white jazzmen. I don't know that it will shake my enjoyment of this cartoon, but it may rattle it a bit. --RH

Thanks for participating, Richard, and what a wond...

2006-08-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks for participating, Richard, and what a wonderful blog to discover in the process (actually I think I landed here once before but this time I've got you linked so I'll remember to come back).

I don't remember Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips very well but I definitely think that all the fun is taken out of these cartoons when our hero doesn't merely humiliate, beat up or char his opponent, but actually kills him. I really can't think of any exceptions, and I wouldn't disagree with your rating of this cartoon as Freleng's worst.

On the other hand, Three Little Bops isn't a personal favorite of mine. In terms of technique it's a fine cartoon but I can't get over the feeling that it's taking a position musically that goes directly against my own musical values. Daniel Goldmark in Tunes For 'Toons theorizes that Rogers was taking a deliberate swipe at Ornette Coleman, one of my personal jazz heroes, which only puts specifics to the general sense I got before reading his book. You'd think I'd be able to get over all that and just let myself enjoy the cartoon for what it is, but it hasn't happened yet.

Comments on Supernatural, Perhaps -- Baloney, Perhaps Not: Friz Freleng: Wizard or Monster?

Thank you for the idea in the first place, Brian! ...

Thanks for participating, Richard, and what a wond...