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CARTOON CHARACTERS: MICHIGAN J. FROG & SPEEDY GONZALES
RAILCAR #510 MICHIGAN J. FROG
MICHIGAN J. FROG
It was 1955 when Michael Maltese was being filmed sketching this little guy on a drawing board, where he would then come to life walk away and jump off the page! The key element to his creation was his bigger than life ego that would emerge only at his discretion. He entered the world with a cleaver back story......and we like back stories......that would set the stage (literally) for the part he would play throughout his cartoon career with the WB, becoming their mascot from 1995-2025.
THE BACK STORY
The fictional story tells of a demolition worker who discovered a small tin box in a brick column he was demolishing. Hoping to find treasure, he quickly opened it, only to disappointingly find a little frog. But moments later, the little guy hopped out, transforming himself into a vaudeville song and dance frog/man, complete with a cane and top hat, and began performing......of course he did ......this was the treasure. This little guy would bring him fame and fortune......but......and there is always a but......he would only perform for the one who opens the box, with no onlookers.
MICHIGAN J. FROG'S CARTOON LIFE AND DEATH
All though he had a few starring roles, his primary acting job was to suddenly enter into unrelated scenes in various cartoons, then in true vaudeville style, would break into a song and dance, then walking off. In 2005 WB, which became the CW, opting to present more mature programming, announced the little guy was dead and buried. But a rumor quickly spread that he was alive and well living in Bolivia in the witness protection program......inspired by the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid movie?......you think?
EPILOGUE
During the official press release announcing the WB was selling the cartoon division to the CW, Michigan's silhouette appeared, hat in hand, bowing, thanking the audience and saying goodbye. His popularity was greatly underestimated. He still has a cult like following, remains a mascot for many affiliate stations and organizations along with appearing for many years in numerous features.
CATCH PHRASE
Hello my honey, hello my baby, hello my ragtime doll (from his favorite song).
RAILCAR #509 SPEEDY GONZALES
Dressed in the typical attire of a Mexican peasant of the 50's, SPEEDY was billed as "The Fastest Mouse in All Mexico". His first appearance came in 1953 in a series of 46 cartoon shorts created by Feeling and McKimson for WB's Looney Toons division. He would be the typical trouble maker, and usually using a bottle of Tabasco Sauce, was always poking fun at SYLVESTER THE CAT, and wouldn't hesitate to antagonize anyone that he appeared with, and later zoning in on DAFFY DUCK as the main go-to target. His cousin SLOWPOKE RODRIGUEZ, billed as the " Slowest Mouse In all Mexico" was his constant companion.
When the WB sold the cartoon division to the CARTOON NETWORK in 1999, they shelved SPEEDY stating he was an 'ethnic stereotype' problem. The League of United Latin American Citizens, with a list of thousands of complaints, immediately filed a protest stating that he was a 'CULTURAL ICON' and should be brought back. He is still alive and well running amuck in Spanish speaking countries.
CATCH PHRASE
Speedy was always running around with a bottle of Tabasco sauce shouting;
Andale! Andale! Arriba! Arriba! Epe! Epe! Epe! Yeehaw!
