Tweety
Bird was created by Warner Brothers animation artist, Bob Clampett in
1942. Clampett was inspired by an embarrassing baby photo of himself and
by his longstanding fascination with baby birds. Early model sheets
indicated Tweety Bird’s original name was “Orson”. In Tweety
Bird’s first cartoon, “A Tale of Two Kitties”, Tweety tantalized
two cats, Babbitt and Catstello. The cartoon was a spoof on the popular
comedy team, “Abbot and Costello”. Furthermore, Tweety Bird, the
cute little canary with the big head, was originally pink. After censors
complained that the bird looked naked because he had no feathers, Tweety
Bird’s color was changed to yellow.
Tweety Bird began his career independent of Sylvester the Cat, who was
chasing birds and mice in his own cartoons under the direction of Friz
Freleng. Clampett left Warner Brothers in 1947 with a fourth Tweety Bird
cartoon in the early stages of production. Freleng wanted to have
Sylvester the Cat pursue Tweety Bird, instead of a woodpecker used in an
earlier Sylvester cartoon. General Producer, Eddie Seltzer, reportedly
didn’t like the idea and ordered Freleng not to pair Sylvester with
Tweety, but to instead use the woodpecker again. A heated argument took
place and ended with Freleng putting his drafting pencil in Selter’s
hand and saying, “If you think you know so much, you should be doing
it.” Freleng walked out of the studio with every intention of
resigning from Warner Brothers the next day. Seltzer telephoned Freleng
at home that evening and said, “Okay, do it your way.” And so it
came to be that Freleng directed the first cartoon film that Tweety Bird
appeared with Sylvester, as the pet of an elderly woman named Granny.
The cartoon was titled “Tweetie Pie”, and became such a big hit that
it won Freleng his first Oscar. The Oscar was accepted by Seltzer, who
then kept the Oscar as his own. This Oscar also happened to be the first
Warner Brothers cartoon to win an Oscar! The Tweety and Sylvester team
enjoyed a 15-year run in animated features, one of the most successful
cartoon series in history.
Tweety Bird’s original personality developed by Clampett was that of a
wild, aggressive bird who showed no mercy for his aggressors. Director
Freleng and story writer, Warren Foster, decided to tame the Tweety
Bird’s personality. By 1950, Tweety Bird had the charm and innocence
that he is known for today.
Tweety Bird’s voice was originally done by Mel Blanc, who also
recorded Tweety Bird’s hit song, “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy-Tat” in
1950. The song’s words and music were done by Alan Livingston, Billy
May and Warren Foster. Joe Alaskey now does the voice of
Tweety Bird.
Tweety and Sylvester continue to entertain and capture the hearts of old
and young alike. The original Tweety & Sylvester series is even more
popular now than when it was originally released. The pair also
continues to be seen on “The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries”, a show
that premiered in 1995. In 1998, the U.S. Postal Service issued a
“Sylvester and Tweety” 32-cent commemorative stamp. The stamp was
the top selling stamp for 1998.
Tweety Bird merchandise is available in almost every category, including
Tweety Bird clothing for both adults and children, Tweety Bird videos,
Tweety Bird household items (dinnerware sets, bathroom towels &
accessories, bedding, clocks), Tweety Bird collectibles, Tweety Bird
toys and games, Tweety Bird school supplies (backpacks, lunchboxes),
Tweety Bird party supplies, Tweety Bird watches, and much more! |
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