Andrea/Duck Dodgers here. I friendly welcome every fan of animation at my blog. The goal is to support the love and rediscovery of Classic Theatrical Cartoons from the Golden Age of Animation, keeping meanwhile an eye on Golden Age "Funny Animals" Comics as well as on modern animated productions! Every SUPPRESSED ethnic caricature to be sometimes presented here is just for HISTORICAL and EDUCATIONAL purpose and NOT to offend anyone. Stay Tooned and Enjoy the place !

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Introducing....Kiko the Kangaroo !

"All the kids love Kiko -
Kiko the Kangaroo !
No one else can equal -
the things that he can do ! "

Does it ring a bell ? Hmmm...probably not ! This short song was the leitmotiv of one of Terrytoons ' s starring stars of the late Thirties , one of the best creations ever made by the studio , Kiko the Kangaroo .

In the late Thirties the greatest animation studios own the services of some popular cartoon stars . Disney found definitive glory with the creation and developement of Donald Duck ; the decline of Fleischer's Betty Boop ( thanks to the Hays Office ) was compensated by the incredible popularity of Popeye the Sailor ; WB found the appeal of Porky Pig sufficient enough to entertain the audience ( the creations of both Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny were also not so far ) .

However , Terrytoons did not have a character enough popular to compete with the other studios ( Farmer Al Falfa was not that much in terms of characterization ) . So Paul Terry 's staff tried to create a recurring character .

In the late 30s we find Kiko the Kangaroo ' s debut in FARMER AL FALFA'S PRIZE PACKAGE ( 1936 ) . This character was used only for a pair of years but the cartoons which feature him are some of the best ever made by Terry .

Kiko , being an happy-go-lucky fellow ( In one short , KIKO AND THE HONEY BEARS , he appeared as an happy hobo looking for a work ) , is always smiling , playing tricks , playing music , entertaining/saving kids ( better : little bears ) but he can always tramute himself into the best boxer to defend his owner/friend Farmer Al Falfa .

Kiko made his debut as a " gift " to Al Falfa from his brother Hank , then starred in a series of solo cartoons as well as in other ones teamed with the farmer . He starred in only 10 cartoons , ending his carrer in 1937 one year after his creation .

As my friend Tim C. informed me , there was also a planned 11th cartoon . A storyboard was written and drawn by a young Joe Barbera , but it was rejected by Paul Terry .

Enjoy these pics from miscellaneous Kiko shorts ( note that pictures ' quality differs from cartoon to cartoon ) .


































Yours Truly ,

Duck Dodgers

Blog Founder and Administrator

6 Comments:

Blogger Duck Dodgers said...

See , Nic ?

Back to Classic Animation !

Hope you enjoy !

More goodies to come !

2:15 pm

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do! I do! As Henrry Binder said in a X-mas Looney Tune Reel, Gweat Stuff! Gweat Stuff!"

3:14 pm

 
Blogger mmm...donuts said...

Very interesting post, Duck Dodgers! I had never seen Kiko the Kangaroo cartoons before!

5:23 pm

 
Blogger Duck Dodgers said...

Thanks , mmm...donuts !

Kiko starred in some very good cartoon , expecially " A Battle Royal " which contains a lot of good gags .
I posted many pictures from this cartoon in this post .

9:44 pm

 
Blogger Zach the Country Collector said...

I own an orginal Kiko Doll!

he is missing his shorts though

11:42 pm

 
Blogger draysnana said...

I have a Kiko stuffed animal? for sale.

7:01 pm

 

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