Mort walker, who created Hi and Lois and Beetle Bailey has died at the age of 94.
Sarge has crumpled Beetle for the last time.
Actually, I think his son may keep the strip going.
*He’s the military hero of the nation,
though he doesn’t always follow regulations.
At the sound of reveille, he is here for you to see,
and we know you’ll laugh at Private Beetle Bailey. (Beetle Bailey!)
Ask the General, Colonel, Major, and the Captain,
the Lieutenant and the Sergeant and the Corporal.
They will tell you with a shout
they would gladly live without
a certain private by the name of Beetle Bailey.
Beetle Bailey! (Beetle Bailey!)*
RIP, Mort.
My first thought on hearing that yesterday was “oh, crap Mort Walker is dead.” My second thought was “hey, wait a minute–Mort Walker was still alive?” My third thought just now is how his name has never been more appropriate.
It would be even more appropriate if he rises as a zombie.
I’m in the “Wait…he was still alive?!” camp. I had assumed that BB and H&L were zombie strips being continued by family members or anonymous interns.
From what I see on Wikipedia and elsewhere, it looks like he continued to be involved in drawing Beetle Bailey to the end of his life, with assistance from “family members and anonymous interns,” but no longer with Hi & Lois.
yeah I think his son took over everything but bailey and then youd see both of their names in the strip
tell me something … is there a few beetle bailey animated shorts out there isn’t there ?
I could swear I seen some in the early 80s that were from years before then and ive never seen them since … they didn’t look like they were made with any real money … and everyone I asked about them have no clue about what I’m talking about …
Someone once asked him why he didn’t tackle important issues like he ignored most of the military action during the strip and he said he just wanted to point out the absurd often lol things that go on in the military and since the troops read it themselves they didn’t need reminders …
NM I just should of looked it up on you tube …I found the whole series …
And they were just as I remembered them … barley rememberable Beetle Bailey: The Complete Collection – Animated Views
There was a series of King Features cartoons produced in the early '60s. This was the same company that did Snuffy Smith and the later Popeye cartoons, which were a pale imitation of the Fleischer and Paramount ones from the '30s and '50s.
My post above is the lyrics from the Beetle Bailey cartoon theme, from memory. I used to watch these every day on WTCN Channel 11 when I got home from school (at lunch and in the afternoon).
I used to have a Beetle Bailey screensaver. All I remember is the parachuting segment with Miss Buxley joining the guys; her “parachute” was a giant bra.
Yeah, a lot of those Beetle Bailey themes haven’t aged very well into the current social climate.
(That makes me wonder–does BC still call a character “The Fat Broad?”
Officially, yes, but I can’t remember the last time I saw that used in a strip.
“You must be the creator of Hi and Lois, for you are making me laugh.”
No longer - farewell, Mort.