Tex Avery - "Screwball Squirrel"

Here's the last Screwy cartoon, which happens to be the first one released. This should pretty much wrap up my Screwy posts as I think I've posted everything I have Screwy related, for now at least.

Screwball Squirrel

Uploaded by klangley

On a somewhat Tex Avery related note, I came across this video of on Youtube of Iomogene Lynn singing with the Ray McKinley Orchestra. For those of you who don't know of her she provided the singing voice of Red in Tex's "Swing Shift Cinderella", "The Shooting Of Dan McGoo", and "Uncle Tom's Cabana". Also, "Little Rural Riding Hood" but that was reused footage. I've been quite of fan of her as she was also the vocalist for Artie Shaw's band in 1945 and then joining the vocal group The Merry Macs. She also dubbed vocals on various movies and on TV along with backing up singers like Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. Thanks to whoever posted this video.

Tex Avery - "Happy Go Nutty"

Here's yet another Screwy cartoon. They're all so damn funny, enjoy.

Happy-Go-Nutty

Tex Avery - "Big Heel-Watha"

I promised to get back to the Screwy Squirrel posts so here's "Big Heel-Watha". Red was revamped for the this one, appearing as Minnie Hot-Cha at the end. Also, Preston Blair used Heel-Watha's sneak animation as an example in his original printing of Advanced Animation, and here's a model sheet to go with it.

Big Heel-Watha

Uploaded by klangley

Tex Avery - Lonesome Lenny

I'm going to keep the Screwy cartoons coming over the next couple of posts for those of you who enjoy them. "Lonesome Lenny" was released in 1946 and would be Screwy's last appearance. After four Screwy cartoons were released between 1944 and 1945 it seems that interest in Screwy started to wane and that was probably the main reason he didn't appear in any other cartoons. I think this cartoon has the greatest chase scene ever on film. Enjoy and check out the Screwy Squirrel label for some model sheets and animation art from some older posts.

Lonesome Lenny

Uploaded by klangley

Tex Avery - "The Screwy Truant"

This is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite cartoons, definetly in my top five. Screwy's design isn't as slick as in his earlier shorts but it's very fitting. I can only assume it's closer to Avery's own drawing style than say Louis Schmitt's or Claude Smith's designs for Avery's unit. I still can't for the life of me understand why more people don't really like Screwy that much. The scene where the truant officer blows out a foot is hilarious. Perfectly animated. Enjoy!

Oh, I finally got around to adding some labels to most of my posts so it should be easy to sort through all this stuff.

Screwy Truant

Uploaded by klangley

Screwy Squirrel

Here's a couple of model sheets and animation drawings from Tex Avery's "Screwy Truant", "Happy Go Nutty" and "Lonesome Lenny". Screwy was slightly redesigned for these shorts giving him a goofier, less cute look. Particularly the smaller cranium. Personally, I think he looks a bit ratty. But it's very fitting. I'm not sure who designed him this way but I'm assuming it was Claude Smith as he was drawing a lot of the models at this time including the original character design, which I posted here a couple of months ago. I've said it before I think he's the perfect character for a Tex Avery cartoon. He's just as unpredictable as Avery's gags. My personal favorite along with early Bugs and Daffy. I've been spending a lot of time practicing drawing him from model sheets and you can see my feeble attempts here. Feel free to let me how I've screwed him up.

Screwball Squirrel

Here's some models sheets and animation drawings from Tex Avery's "Screwball Squirrel". This is probably one of my favorite cartoons of all time and Screwy's one of the funniest characters. I was dumbfounded when I read that Tex didn't think he was funny, talk about a perfectionist, sheesh. I prefer this earlier design over the one in the later shorts like "Lonesome Lenny", though he does look a little screwier in those other shorts. I can't think of another character who takes such delight in pounding the hell out of his adversary as much as Screwy, he's a little over the top but that what I like about him.