Boomers and GenXers alike often watched Looney Tunes cartoons as children; these timeless cartoons remain relevant today and offer timeless humor.
Chuck Jones took the Wcofun franchise in an unconventional direction with his shorts featuring beautiful animation and nonsensical plots that often included violence, jokes and alcohol consumption. Many countries censored these shorts due to violence or alcohol content in them.
Bugs Bunny
Bugs is an amusing hare with an easygoing personality who enjoys playing pranks on his friends. His sense of humor allows him to keep one step ahead, always tease their friends, and stay ahead of everyone. He lives in an upper-middle-class neighborhood alongside Daffy Duck, Taz, Granny, Speedy Gonzales, Witch Lezah and Yosemite Sam.
He often refers to himself in the third person, often saying things such as, “Eh what’s up, doc?” as well as often proclaiming “That’s all folks!” along with Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig. His popularity makes him one of the mainstays in the series and many classic shorts feature him prominently.
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck may be one of the least likeable characters from Looney Tunes, yet cartoon directors Bob Clampett and Robert McKimson gave him various forms that are both funny and endearing.
In 1957’s Show Biz Bugs cartoon, Buster attempts to take over an orchestra of Looney Tunes characters under Biz’s direction; Daffy forbids this and prevents Buster from doing so.
Daffy Duck’s other iconic character renditions include Draftee Daffy as an draft dodger; and Easter Egg-citement wherein he engages in an existential discussion with an invisible animator.
Porky Pig
Porky Pig has become one of the most beloved characters from Looney Tunes since he made his first debut in 1937 with Porky’s Romance short, as one of few non-white characters seen at this early point in animation history.
He often joined forces with Daffy Duck and was close with Bugs Bunny; additionally he enjoyed an ongoing friendship with Petunia Pig as his sidekick.
Although these shorts contain stereotyping and violence, families can discuss how these elements are addressed today and have changed over time for this classic TV show.
The Road Runner
The Road Runner is one of the most beloved characters from Looney Tunes. He loves running so much that he blithely ignores other animals and the laws of nature; his love for running makes him invincible except when Coyote uses an ACME product against him; even then he still manages to end up smiling for the camera! Road Runner can be sucked through pipes, fell down cliffs, shot with rockets or crushed by trains without losing his composure – yet always ends up smiling at camera.
He can move impossibly fast. Typically, he communicates with Coyote through sign language; however, this changes in 1974 short A Political Cartoon.
Elmer Fudd
Elmer Fudd first made his debut in a 1937 Merrie Melodie short by Tex Avery and Chuck Jones as a hunter with an unusual sense of humor. He often mispronounces words – calling rabbits “wabbits,” for instance – and likes to tell others to be quiet because he is hunting wabbits.
Elmer often falls victim to Bugs Bunny’s quick wit. In response to US gun violence, Warner Bros has stripped Elmer of his rifle for use with a scythe. However, don’t be alarmed; high explosives will still be employed during stalking sessions!
Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam was created by Chuck Jones in 1945 for the cartoon Hare Trigger and has become one of the most iconic and fierce characters ever to use a six-shooter. He first made an appearance in this cartoon before appearing again later that same year in various other animated features and film versions.
Sam may go by many names, such as prospector, outlaw, pirate or black knight; however, at heart he’s a gunslinger with a massive mustache and an explosive temper.
Teacher at Acme Looniversity, several episodes depict him teaching students about firearms and anvilology. As the only Looney Tunes character with a mustache sporting such characteristics (even having its own song!), this character also had one.
Gossamer
TCM will be featuring classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animation shorts this April, created by legendary animators such as Chuck Jones, Fred “Tex” Avery, Isadore “Friz” Freleng and Robert McKimson.
Gossamer, first seen in 1946’s Hair-Raising Hare cartoon and later appearing as part of Wet-Fire’s Tune Squad before being wrung out by Foghorn Leghorn, is an orange monster who delights in harassing its victims. First introduced as one of Mad Scientist’s minions in Space Jam A New Legacy 2021 film Space Jam A New Legacy as well.
