Character Restrictions

Aguirre06·10/22/2023 in General

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that one reason why certain directors can only use certain characters (i.e. those they created) outside of the "universal" cast (Bugs, Daffy, Elmer , Porky, Sylvester) could be because they were restricted from using other characters. I'm not sure if it's true, especially since McKimson stated in a 1971 interview with Michael Barrier that no one could stop them from using different characters, using Goldimouse and the Three Cats (Sylvester Jr.), Dog Pounded (Pepe le Pew), the shorts starring Sylvester and Porky and the three Chuck Jones shorts featuring henry Hawk as examples.

(Edited by Aguirre06)

Looney Tunes Chuck Jones Merrie Melodies Friz Freleng Warner Bros. Cartoons Robert McKimson

Aguirre06·12/4/2023

This refers to only the shorts produced by Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc. The DFE and W7 shorts' character limits has been noted directly as having occurred.

(Edited by Aguirre06)

Low Spark of Lyman·12/8/2023

On the other hand, it seems there were restrictions in (at least some of) the early years over whether one could handle Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies (back before they became indistinguishable), going by Jack King's departure from WB.

Bendyfan31·12/24/2023

Chuck Jones did create Henery Hawk though, he just abandoned the character after one cartoon, leading McKimson to “take over” the character.

Aguirre06·12/24/2023

I should've reworded that part to suggest that Henery was created by the Jones unit. I also referred the Henery Hawk example as "the three cartoons" as despite only using him in "The Squawkin' Hawk" prior to McKimson using him regularly, he was later used by the Jones unit in "You Were Never Duckier" and "The Scarlet Pumpernickel."

(Edited by Aguirre06)

What do you think?