Mel did lots of work with Spike Jones. The first one seen in a bowler is him.
That was Kenny Delmar as Senator Beauregard Claghorn, a character he played on Fred Allen’s radio show from 1945 onwards. Not only did Foghorn Leghord use the name, he used his distinctive speaking style and his catchphrases:
It’s a pretty direct “steal” of Delmar’s act. Parody (which Wikipedia calls this) is one thing, but I always felt that Foghorn Leghorn, whose character continued for quite a while in the Warner Brothers cartoons, was essentially an entire character and series taking its essence from somebody else’s act. There are lots of other such cases in cartoon history.
It’s true, though, as Wikipedia notes, that the cartoon has outlasted its inspiration – without the cartoon, how many folks would remember Senator Claghorn, or Delmar> It’s like those ancient nursery rhymes that are only remembered today because Lewis Carroll parodied them in his Alice in Wonderland stories.
Lucky bastard. I would so penis her if I could.
The whole Bob’s Burgers crew is great. Here’s a live script read at some con.
Olive Oyl and Swee’ Pea were voiced by Mae Questel, who also voiced Betty Boop, Casper the Ghost and others. She was also Aunt Bethany in Christmas Vacation. She was a very talented mimic in her day.
I’d also mention Jim Backus for Mr. Magoo. I think it was his only voice over, but it was perfect.
This is the quintessential Backus, IMHO.
FWIW, I never liked The Great Gildersleeve, either. “Blowhard” humor eludes me.
I can recognize the geniuses in the sub-genre, certainly. Toss in “The Kingfish” from the Amos and Andy show. Brilliant realization of the character…but…ugh! What a hideous character!
Give me Yosemite Sam: he isn’t so much a “blowhard” as a “loudmouth.” A very loud one! And…another great accomplishment of Mel Blanc’s!
sometimes you get a whole show that is over the top.
George of the Jungle
Bill Scott, Paul Frees, June Foray, Daws Butler did voices.
the humor was sophisticated.
All the voices on “Archer,” particularly Aisha Tyler, with Judy Greer a close second.
Paul Frees; classic. Always evocative.
From The Simpsons, Dan Castellaneta–amazingly versatile (and love his singing).
From Futurama, Billy West is another amazingly versatile performer. Love Maurice LaMarche, too.
From Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: Gary Cole (not traditionally thought of as a voice-over guy) is hilariousl; likewise Paget Brewster. That’s a great show for voices–LaMarche, again, plus Stephen Colbert and Peter MacNicol.
Adult Swim shows in general have a great record for good voices, many of them not ‘the usual suspects’: The Venture Bros. has James Urbaniak, Patrick Warburton, and Stephen Rattazzi; Sealab 2021 had Harry Goz and Ellis Henican; *The Brak Show *had C. Martin Croker and Andy Merrill; and George Lowe, Dana Snyder, and H. Jon Benjamin show up all over the place.
[quote=“Drunky_Smurf, post:24, topic:688751”]
The whole Bob’s Burgers crew is great. Here’s a live script read at some con.
[/QUOTE]Awesome! I love Eugene Mirman…I wonder if I would get sick of his voice I had to listen to it all day? When I hear him a half hour every week, I can’t not laugh. lol
That guy, John Roberts, doing Linda can’t stop smiling while doing the voice and just seeing him do it is making the audience crack up.
I saw an interview with Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time) and he said that Pendleton Ward likes to do the Lumpy Space Princess voice when he’s alone. Probably because it’s so fucking silly. Ha!
Two I haven’t seen mentioned yet, and at rather opposite ends of the spectrum
Carlos Alazraqui as Rocko on Rocko’s Modern Life
Townsend Coleman as The Tick on The Tick (animated)
He was the very best, no one else comes close. Tress Macneile, Daws Butler, June Foray, and Billy West are/were very talented as well.
If you’re going to mention Dan Castellaneta, you have to mention Hank Azaria, too. He does just as many, if not more, voices on The Simpsons.
Trivia: Carlos Alazraqui was also the original Taco Bell chihuahua.
Well, technically, according to the Simpsons wiki Castellaneta “has the record for most characters by his voice.”
Arthur Q. Bryan deserves cwedit for cweating the voice of Emer Fudd.
She also appeared in Woody Allen’s 1989 “Oedipus Wrecks” although I didn’t see it myself.
Another cartoon character based on the Senator was “The Hunter” from the early 60’s “King Leonardo” cartoons. The Hunter’s voice was provided by none other than Delmar himself. For over 50 years I’ve been quoting an exchange from a Hunter cartoon:
Hunter: …That’s a joke, Son.
King Leonardo (irritated): Don’t call me “Son”! Don’t you know I’m the King?
Hunter (unfazed): Why, I call everybody “Son”, Sire. That’s a joke, Son.
Oh, he’s hilarious! He just cracks me up, says the middle aged man who used to enjoy Warburton’s voice-acting as Principal Barkin on “Kim Possible.” :o
Phil Hartman. His various voices on The Simpsons. Just loved his voice, may he RIP.
Noelle North.