Dell Comics Fan
01-22-2006, 06:43 PM
Ben Ohmart writes about Snagglepuss, Daws Butler's favorite H-B character (and Joe Barbera's and Mike Maltese's favorite; and mine, too, incidentally),
in the book DAWS BUTLER: CHARACTERS ACTOR ...
Daws' vocalization of Snagglepuss was a direct imitation of [Bert] Lahr when
Snag was a supporting character in the Quick Draw, Snooper, and Augie Doggie cartoons from 1959. Don Messick, and others, thought it Daws' best
vocal characterization. But when Snag was given his own cartoon in 1960,
Daws completely changed the voice, pushing it into a higher range, making the voice breathy, taking out the guttural sounds (the trademark Bert Lahr
"yong-yong" sound), but kept the personality and rhythm.
Snagglepuss' catch phrases were instantly snapped up by kids and adults
both. Once while waiting to be seated in a restaurant, Daws heard the man in front of him give a bad Snagglepuss impression, "Exit, stage left into the
dining room." Daws instantly turned to the man he was with (writer Mark
Evanier) and did the real voice, "Heavens to trademark violations! I'm being
plagiarized!"
Though Snagglepuss was a recurring character on QUICK DRAW McGRAW,
his voice changed with every appearance. Only when he decided on Lahr
did the character retain its lasting grace. But Lahr didn't feel complimented,
suing H-B and sponsor Kellogg's. The infamous Lahr suit came from Snagglepuss' Cocoa Krispies commercials, which had the lion playing the
banjo and singing to a happy audience .. who eventually stampede him to
attain the delicious cereal. Lahr said he was insulted to think he would
stoop to selling cereal; meantime, he was selling Lay's Potato Chips.
Therefore, all Cocoa Krispies commercials soon carried a superimposed
line of credit: "Snagglepuss voice by Daws Butler." Daws didn't mind the
extra credit. It made up for all those Warner Bros. years when only Mel
Blanc had his name onscreen.
in the book DAWS BUTLER: CHARACTERS ACTOR ...
Daws' vocalization of Snagglepuss was a direct imitation of [Bert] Lahr when
Snag was a supporting character in the Quick Draw, Snooper, and Augie Doggie cartoons from 1959. Don Messick, and others, thought it Daws' best
vocal characterization. But when Snag was given his own cartoon in 1960,
Daws completely changed the voice, pushing it into a higher range, making the voice breathy, taking out the guttural sounds (the trademark Bert Lahr
"yong-yong" sound), but kept the personality and rhythm.
Snagglepuss' catch phrases were instantly snapped up by kids and adults
both. Once while waiting to be seated in a restaurant, Daws heard the man in front of him give a bad Snagglepuss impression, "Exit, stage left into the
dining room." Daws instantly turned to the man he was with (writer Mark
Evanier) and did the real voice, "Heavens to trademark violations! I'm being
plagiarized!"
Though Snagglepuss was a recurring character on QUICK DRAW McGRAW,
his voice changed with every appearance. Only when he decided on Lahr
did the character retain its lasting grace. But Lahr didn't feel complimented,
suing H-B and sponsor Kellogg's. The infamous Lahr suit came from Snagglepuss' Cocoa Krispies commercials, which had the lion playing the
banjo and singing to a happy audience .. who eventually stampede him to
attain the delicious cereal. Lahr said he was insulted to think he would
stoop to selling cereal; meantime, he was selling Lay's Potato Chips.
Therefore, all Cocoa Krispies commercials soon carried a superimposed
line of credit: "Snagglepuss voice by Daws Butler." Daws didn't mind the
extra credit. It made up for all those Warner Bros. years when only Mel
Blanc had his name onscreen.