Woody Woodpecker

In the 1940's a movie goer could count on watching one or two new animated cartoons before the feature film would roll. Up until that point Universal Studios produced the films but dealt with outside animation studios for the cartoons. Tired of the company politics when it came to the cartoons, movie mogul Carl Laemmle opened a new department withing the company, Universal Studio Cartoons and put his part time chauffeur, Walter Lantz, in charge of it.
It didn't take long for Andy Panda to slide off the storyboard onto the big screen and fast on his heals was Woody.
First impressions count, right? Well Woody's career nearly stalled before it started when the head of Universal Studios objected to the cartoon. He said Woody was the ugliest character he had ever seen. Lantz pressed the issue. Universal Studios was not paying for the cartoons, just distributing them. When Knock Knock was a smash with the movie goers, the head of Universal Studios asked for a series staring Woody, as if he never objected in the first place.

As with most animated characters, Woody evolved. In 1946 Dick Lundy, a former Disney employee, took over the chore of refining Woody. He was given a face-lift and his personality changed. He grew up. Woody no longer flipped out for no apparent reason, and he was more defensive in his dealings with others.

A new advisary, Ben Buzzard, was introduced in 1948. He kept Woody hopping through quite a few shows.

I love to watch the classic cartoons. They remind me of a simpler time in life. For a brief period of time I can set my worries asside and laugh for the sheer fun of it. And laughing at Woody, Goofy, and Bugs' twisted logic and idiotic plans, it's easier to laugh at myself when I prove to be the biggest screwball of them all.