Sylvester the Cat
Sylvester the Cat | |
---|---|
Sylth Vester (descendant) | |
Nationality | American |
Died | 234 times |
Sylvester J. Pussycat Sr. is a fictional character, an
Animation history
Development
Before Sylvester's appearance in the cartoons, Blanc voiced a character named Sylvester on The Judy Canova Show using the voice that would eventually become associated with the cat.[3]
Personality and catchphrases
Sylvester's height is 39 or 49 inches (100.5 or 124.9 cm) or 3.3 or 4.1 feet (1.00 or 1.24 m) tall and his weight is 60 or 72 pounds (27.2 or 32.7 kg).
Like Daffy, Sylvester is known for having a sloppy lisp. A common gag used for both Sylvester and Daffy is a tendency to go on a long rant, complaining about a subject and then ending it by saying "Sakes".
Sylvester's trademark exclamation is "Suffering succotash!", which is said to be a minced oath of "Suffering Savior".
He shows a different personality when paired with Porky Pig in explorations of spooky places, in which he does not speak, behaves as a scaredy-cat, and always seems to see the scary things Porky does not see and gets scolded by him for it every time.
For the most part, Sylvester has always played the antagonist role, but he's sometimes featured playing the protagonist in a couple of cartoons while having to deal with the canine duo of
Perhaps Sylvester's most developed role is in a series of
Sylvester also had atypical roles in a few cartoons:
- Kitty Kornered (1946), a Bob Clampett cartoon in which a black-nosed, yellow-eyed Sylvester was teamed with three other cats to oust owner Porky Pig from his house.
- Doggone Cats (1947), an Arthur Davis cartoon where Sylvester is teamed up with an orange cat (later reused as Sylvester's brother Alan in The Looney Tunes Show) to prevent Wellmington the Dog from delivering a package to Uncle Louie.
- Catch as Cats Can (1947), another Davis cartoon that portrays Sylvester as a simple-minded cat with a dopey voice. While the cartoon essentially follows a cat-vs-canary plot, it takes a different turn as Sylvester is persuaded to eat the canary (caricaturized as Frank Sinatra) by a green parrot (caricaturized as Bing Crosby).
- Back Alley Oproar (1948), a Friz Freleng cartoon (actually a remake of the 1941 short Notes to You) wherein Sylvester pesters the sleep-deprived Elmer Fudd by performing several amazing musical numbers in the alley and even a sweet lullaby ("go to sleep... go to sleep... close your big bloodshot eyes...") to temporarily ease Elmer back to the dream world, though very temporarily.
- The Scarlet Pumpernickel (1950), a Chuck Jones cartoon in which Sylvester plays the Basil Rathbone-like villain to Daffy Duck's Errol Flynn-esque hero.
- Canned Feud (1951), another Freleng cartoon in which Sylvester tries to retrieve a can opener from a mouse out of fears he would starve to death. Unlike most cartoons, the mouse is portrayed as an instigator of the conflict or antagonist rather than Sylvester himself.
- Red Riding Hoodwinked (1955), another Freleng cartoon where Sylvester co-stars with an absent-minded Big Bad Wolf in which each not only tries to get their particular "prey" (Sylvester vs. Tweety and the Wolf vs. Little Red Riding Hood) but they both nearly come to blows with each other playing "Grandma". ("You're musclin' in on my racket!")
- A Taste of Catnip (1966). a Robert McKimson cartoon that Sylvester cameos in. When Daffy Duck blows up a catnip factory in Mexico, Sylvester and other enraged cats beat up Daffy.
In the
Filmography
The character debuted in
He also appears in a handful of cartoons with Elmer Fudd, such as a series of three cartoons underwritten by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation extolling the American economic system.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Sylvester appeared in various Warner Bros. television specials, and in the 1980s, he appeared in the feature-film compilations.
He has died more times than any other Looney Tunes character, having died in
Sylvester serves as the titular character in The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, under the ownership of Granny and again having desires of eating Tweety and being tharwted by Butch. He helps solves mysteries and defeats the culprits in the end. In the finale of the series, he abandons his desire of eating Tweety following a dream and express his love for the bird.
A baby version of Sylvester is part of the title cast of characters in Baby Looney Tunes, voiced by Terry Klassen.
Sylvester is featured in
Sylvester also makes recurring appearances in both New Looney Tunes and Looney Tunes Cartoons. Jeff Bergman reprises his role for both.
Sylvester appeared in King Tweety. He was voiced by Eric Bauza, who also voiced him in Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem.[4]
Sylvester appears in Bugs Bunny Builders as one of the citizens/builders helpings Bugs and friends with building. In this series, he is more of being friends with Tweety and even lives with him.
Cameo appearances
In an episode of Press Your Luck, Sylvester (voiced by Mel Blanc) calls Peter Tomarken after Tomarken incorrectly said that Daffy Duck coined the catchphrase, "Suffering Succotash" during the question round.
Sylvester makes a cameo appearance in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, where he provides the punchline for a double-entendre joke regarding Judge Doom's (Christopher Lloyd) identity. This was Mel Blanc's final time voicing him.
Sylvester appears as part of the Tune Squad team in Space Jam, voiced by Bill Farmer. He bears the number 9 on his jersey where the Tune Squad and Michael Jordan competed against the Monstars.
He also has two cameo appearances in Looney Tunes: Back in Action, but the second time, "Sylvester" is really Mr. Smith in disguise.
A cat appears in Color Rhapsody shorts "Up and Atom" and "Boston Beanie" that bares a strong resemblance to Sylvester.
Sylvester appears in the Robot Chicken episode "Werewolf vs. Unicorn", voiced by Patrick Pinney. During Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement of illegal aliens from Mexico, Sylvester demonstrates a wired fence that will keep the aliens out, only for it to be penetrated by Speedy Gonzales.[5]
Sylvester makes a vocal cameo appearance in the 2020 Animaniacs revival segment "Suffragette City", with Jeff Bergman reprising his role.
Sylvester appears in Space Jam: A New Legacy, voiced again by Jeff Bergman. He plays for the Tune Squad in their match against the Goon Squad. At one point before the second half, Sylvester thought he found Michael Jordan in the audience which he revealed to the Tune Squad only for LeBron James to find that he actually ran into Michael B. Jordan. This caused Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd to reprimand him for not noticing the difference as Sylvester thought he aged good.
Sylvester appears in the Teen Titans Go! episode, "Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary". He is among the Looney Tunes characters guests for the Warner Bros. centennial celebration.
Other appearances
-
Sylvester as emblem of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron
-
Sylvester as emblem of the151st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
-
Sylvester as seen in The Looney Tunes Show in this new design
-
Sylvester and Tweety in "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat"
From 1979 to 1983, Sylvester was the "spokescat" for
In comic books
Western Publications produced a comic book about Tweety and Sylvester entitled Tweety and Sylvester, first in Dell Comics Four Color series #406, 489, and 524, then in their own title from Dell Comics (#4–37, 1954–62), and later from Gold Key Comics (#1–102, 1963–72). In most of the earlier comic books, Sylvester has white fur surrounding his eyes (similar to Pepé Le Pew) and green eyes. They both disappeared in the later comic books. The green eyes could be seen in some merchandise as well.
Sylvester and Tweety appeared in a DC Comics and Looney Tunes crossover comic called Catwoman/Tweety and Sylvester #1. In the issue, witches from the DC and Looney Tunes universes placed a wager where the existence of all birds and cats (as well as all bird- and cat-themed heroes and villains) depended on if Sylvester could eat Tweety. Sylvester (designed more realistically for the DC Universe) teamed up with Catwoman, while Tweety teamed up with the Black Canary.[8]
In video games
Sylvester has appeared in the video games
Naming
The name "Sylvester" is a play on
Voice
Origin
Sylvester's trademark is his sloppy and yet stridulating
Voice actors
- Mel Blanc (1945–1989, Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball (1990); archive audio, Sylvester and Tweety in Cagey Capers (meowing) (1994); archive audio, Boomerang bumper (hiccup) (2004); archive audio, I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat (2011); archive audio)
- Dave Barry (imitating Bing Crosby in Catch as Cats Can,[14] Golden Records records, Bugs Bunny Songfest)[15][16]
- I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat cover)[17]
- Gilbert Mack (Golden Records records, Bugs Bunny Songfest)[15][16]
- Dallas McKennon (meowing sounds in Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies)
- Richard Andrews (Bugs Bunny Exercise and Adventure Album)[18]
- Bill Farmer (ABC Family Fun Fair, Space Jam)[19][20][21]
- Darrell Hammond ("Wappin'")
- Jeff Bergman (1989 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Tiny Toon Adventures, Tyson Foods commercial,[22] Bugs Bunny's Overtures to Disaster, Cartoon Network bumpers,[23] Boomerang bumper,[24] Family Guy,[25] The Looney Tunes Show, Scooby Doo and Looney Tunes: Cartoon Universe, Looney Tunes Dash, New Looney Tunes, Daffy Duck Dance Off,[26] Ani-Mayhem,[27] Meet Bugs (and Daffy),[28] Looney Tunes Cartoons, Animaniacs, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Bugs Bunny Builders,Tiny Toons Looniversity[29][30][31])[21]
- Noel Blanc (You Rang? answering machine messages,[32] Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball)
- Looney Tunes: Back In Action, Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas, Looney Tunes Dance Off,[41] TomTom Looney Tunes GPS,[42] Looney Tunes ClickN READ Phonics, various video games, webtoons, and commercials)[21]
- Greg Burson (Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball, The Toonite Show Starring Bugs Bunny,[43] Looney Tunes B-Ball,[44][45] Warner Bros. Kids Club[46])[21]
- Looney Tunes Musical Revue,[47] The Christmas Looney Tunes Classic Collecetion,[48] Westfield commercial, Spectacular Light and Sound Show Illuminanza,[49] KFC commercials,[50] Tazos Looney Tunes commercial,[51] Looney Tunes: We Got the Beat!,[36][52] Looney Tunes on Ice, Looney Tunes LIVE! Classroom Capers,[53] Christmas Moments with Looney Tunes, The Looney Tunes Radio Show,[54][55] Looney Rock)[21][56][57][58]
- J. J. Sedelmaier (Cartoon Network presentation pitch)[59][60]
- Terry Klassen (Baby Looney Tunes, Baby Looney Tunes' Eggs-traordinary Adventure)[21]
- Pat Pinney (Robot Chicken)[62]
- Kevin Shinick (Mad)[63]
- Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy)
- Dee Bradley Baker (New Looney Tunes (monster form))[64]
- Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, Bugs Bunny in The Golden Carrot, Space Jam: A New Legacy live show, King Tweety, ACME Fools, Lights, Camera, Action: A WB100th Anniversary Celebration)[21]
Reception and legacy
Sylvester was No. 33 on TV Guide's list of top 50 best cartoon characters, together with Tweety.[65]
See also
- Tom and Jerry, a similar type of duo.
References
- ^ "Sylvester a.k.a. Sylvester J. Pussycat Sr. a.k.a. Puddy Tat". comicbookrealm. July 23, 2012.
- ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ The Judy Canova Show, September 7, 1943, as rebroadcast on XM Radio's Old Time Radio channel August 13, 2008.
- ^ "King Tweety Animated Film Trailer [EXCLUSIVE]". Screen Rant. 21 March 2022.
- ^ "Illegal Alien Problems - Robot Chicken - Adult Swim". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
- ^ 1979 Sylvester The Cat 9 Lives Cat Food Commercial 1
- ^ 9-Lives Dry ad, 1983
- ^ Catwoman/Tweety and Sylvester #1
- ISBN 0374123489.
- ISBN 978-0-19-503759-3.
- ISBN 0-446-51244-3.
- ^ An interview with Bob Clampett
- ^ REVIEWS BY RICHARD CORLISS: Looney Tunes Golden Collection — Volume 5
- ^ Scott, Keith (3 October 2022). Cartoon Voices of the Golden Age, Vol. 2. BearManor Media. p. 136.
- ^ a b "Bugs Bunny on Record". News From ME. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Golden Records' "Bugs Bunny Songfest" (1961)". cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Puddy Tats here. . . Puddy Tats There!". cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "Bugs Bunny Breaks a Sweat". cartoonresearch.com. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "ABC Family Fun Fair". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
- ^ "ABC Family Fun Fair planned at city mall". The Oklahoman. August 23, 1987. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Voice(s) of Sylvester the Cat".
- ^ "Tyson". Behind The Voice Actions. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ "Voice of Sylvester the Cat in Cartoon Network". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
- ^ "Voice of Sylvester the Cat in Boomerang". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
- ^ "Voice of Sylvester the Cat in Family Guy". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "Daffy Duck Dance Off". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ "Ani-Mayhem". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Meet Bugs (And Daffy)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ Weiss, Josh (July 15, 2021). "'TINY TOONS' REBOOT ON HBO MAX WILL FEATURE A 'DUMBLEDORE'-ESQUE BUGS BUNNY, RETURN TO LOONIVERSITY". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Bergen, Bob (June 22, 2023). "[Tiny Toons cast announcement]". Instagram. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Meet the All-Star Voice Cast for "Tiny Toons Looniversity"" (Press release). Cartoon Network. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ "You Rang? Answering Machine Messages Holiday". YouTube. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- ^ "Bugs & Friends Sing Elvis". VGMdb. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "Looney Tunes DVD and Video Guide: VHS: Misc". The Inernet Animation Database. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bugs Bunny's Silly Seals". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock?". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- ^ "Sing Along: Looney Tunes". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ "The Looney Tunes Rockin' Road Show". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ "Various – Crash! Bang! Boom! The Best Of WB Sound FX (2000, CD)". Discogs. August 15, 2000. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "THE LOONEY TUNES KWAZY CHRISTMAS". VGMdb. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ "Looney Tunes Dance Off". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Bartlett, Jeff (27 September 2010). "Eh, what's up, Doc? TomTom offers Looney Tunes voices for GPS navigators". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
- ^ "The Toonite Show Starring Bugs Bunny". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ "Looney Tunes B-Ball". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
- ^ "The Voice Artist's Spotlight on Twitter: "Greg Burson was the go-to guy for all voices in all of the Looney Tunes games developed by Sunsoft. Also voiced Daffy, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and more."". Twitter. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- ^ "Warner Bros. Kids Club". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ "Looney Tunes Musical Revue". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "The Christmas Looney Tunes Classic Collection (Music Cassette): Performed by Keith Scott". YouTube. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "Warner Bros. Movie World Illuminanza". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Kentucky Fried Chicken". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "Tazos". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "New Looney Tunes show unveiled at Movie World". Leisure Management. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "'CLASSROOM CAPERS'". Alastair Fleming Associates. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "That Wascally Wabbit". Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
- ^ "The Day I Met Bugs Bunny". Ian Heydon. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- ^ "Keith Scott: Down Under's Voice Over Marvel". Animation World Network. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ "Keith Scott". Grace Gibson Shop. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ "Keith Scott-"The One-Man Crowd"". Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ "Cartoon Network Presentation Pitch". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Cartoon Network Presentation 1991". Vimeo. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Monger, James. "A Looney Tunes Sing-A-Long Christmas". AllMusic. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- ^ "Voice of Sylvester the Cat in Robot Chicken". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "Voice of Sylvester the Cat in Mad". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "Voice of Monster Sylvester in Wabbit". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ "TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time". CNN. July 30, 2002.
External links
- Media related to Sylvester (Looney Tunes) at Wikimedia Commons
- Sylvester's history at Warner Bros' official website (requires flash).
- Sylvester Pussycat at Don Markstein's Toonopedia.
- Sylvester's Miracle Whip Promotional Crossover YouTube.
- Archived from the original on January 1, 2018.
- All about Sylvester the Cat on Chuck Jones Official Website.