Andy Panda
Encyclopedia
Andy Panda is a cartoon character who starred in his own series of animated cartoon
short subject
s produced by Walter Lantz
. These "cartunes" were released by Universal Pictures
from 1939 to 1947 and United Artists
from 1948 to 1949. The titular character is an anthropomorphic cartoon character, a cute panda
.
) is frequently trying to prove himself as a good role model. Later, Andy became a stand-alone star in the vein of Mickey Mouse
, and even acquired a Pluto-like dog
named Milo as a pet.
Andy's first cartoon was the aptly titled Life Begins for Andy Panda
in 1939. (This was obvious wordplay on the perky titles of the popular Andy Hardy movies of that era. Ironically, a later Andy Hardy film was actually titled "Life Begins for Andy Hardy.")
The 1940 Andy Panda short Knock Knock
featured the first appearance of Lantz's biggest star, Woody Woodpecker
.
The character was given a major overhaul by director Shamus Culhane
for the 1944 short The Painter and the Pointer, with a modified design and a far more malicious personality than he had ever shown previously, but this new version was disliked by both Lantz and audiences, and was not used again. Lantz continued to produce Andy Panda shorts until he closed his studio in 1949; Andy's last short was Scrappy Birthday (1949), which featured his girlfriend, Miranda Panda (voiced by Grace Stafford
). When the studio reopened in 1951, the Andy Panda series did not return to production.
Andy Panda was originally voiced by Bernice Hansen
from 1939 to 1940, with Sara Berner providing the voice from 1941 to 1944, and Walter Tetley
assuming the role afterwards until the character's final short in 1949. Andy made a guest appearance in the later Woody Woodpecker TV special "Spook-A-Nanny" (1964), in which he was voiced by Daws Butler
.
Andy led a major part of his career in comic books. One early Andy Panda comic book adventure was drawn by Carl Barks
(New Funnies 76, 1943). John Stanley
also did Andy Panda comic book work.
In late 1943, the comic book version of Andy Panda acquired a sidekick, Charlie Chicken, and stories about their often bizarre adventures ran for many years. Some were reprinted domestically as recently as the 1990s, and in Sweden as recently as 2001.
and Musical Moments with Chopin . He also had a cameo in The Woody Woodpecker Polka
with Space Mouse
and Miranda Panda.
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
short subject
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
s produced by Walter Lantz
Walter Lantz
Walter Benjamin Lantz was an American cartoonist, animator, film producer, and director, best known for founding Walter Lantz Productions and creating Woody Woodpecker.-Early years and start in animation:...
. These "cartunes" were released by Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
from 1939 to 1947 and United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
from 1948 to 1949. The titular character is an anthropomorphic cartoon character, a cute panda
Giant Panda
The giant panda, or panda is a bear native to central-western and south western China. It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda's diet is 99% bamboo...
.
History
In the earliest episodes of the cartoon series, Andy is a mischievous cub, whose blustery father Papa Panda (voiced by Mel BlancMel Blanc
Melvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
) is frequently trying to prove himself as a good role model. Later, Andy became a stand-alone star in the vein of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, and even acquired a Pluto-like dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
named Milo as a pet.
Andy's first cartoon was the aptly titled Life Begins for Andy Panda
Life Begins for Andy Panda
Life Begins for Andy Panda is a 1939 American short subject cartoon created by Walter Lantz, as the very first Andy Panda film.-Background:...
in 1939. (This was obvious wordplay on the perky titles of the popular Andy Hardy movies of that era. Ironically, a later Andy Hardy film was actually titled "Life Begins for Andy Hardy.")
The 1940 Andy Panda short Knock Knock
Knock Knock (1940 cartoon)
Knock Knock is a 1940 animated short subject, part of the Andy Panda series, produced by Walter Lantz. The cartoon is noted for being the first appearance of Woody Woodpecker, and was released by Universal Pictures on November 25, 1940.-Plot:...
featured the first appearance of Lantz's biggest star, Woody Woodpecker
Woody Woodpecker
Woody Woodpecker is an animated cartoon character, an anthropomorphic acorn woodpecker who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal Pictures...
.
The character was given a major overhaul by director Shamus Culhane
Shamus Culhane
James "Shamus" Culhane was an American animator, film director, and film producer.Culhane worked for a number of American animation studios, including Fleischer Studios, the Ub Iwerks studio, Walt Disney Productions, and the Walter Lantz studio. He began his animation career in 1925 working for J.R...
for the 1944 short The Painter and the Pointer, with a modified design and a far more malicious personality than he had ever shown previously, but this new version was disliked by both Lantz and audiences, and was not used again. Lantz continued to produce Andy Panda shorts until he closed his studio in 1949; Andy's last short was Scrappy Birthday (1949), which featured his girlfriend, Miranda Panda (voiced by Grace Stafford
Grace Stafford
Gracie Lantz , also known by her stage name Grace Stafford, was an American actress and the wife of animation producer Walter Lantz. Stafford is best known for providing the voice of Woody Woodpecker from 1950 until 1972.-Career:Grace appeared in feature live action films from 1935, Dr...
). When the studio reopened in 1951, the Andy Panda series did not return to production.
Andy Panda was originally voiced by Bernice Hansen
Bernice Hansen
Bernice Hansen was a voice artist who did a number of female character voices for Warner Bros. cartoons in the 1930s and early-1940s...
from 1939 to 1940, with Sara Berner providing the voice from 1941 to 1944, and Walter Tetley
Walter Tetley
Walter Tetley , an American voice actor, was a child impersonator in radio's classic era, with regular roles on The Great Gildersleeve and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, as well as continuing as a voice-over artist in animated cartoons, commercials, and spoken-word record albums...
assuming the role afterwards until the character's final short in 1949. Andy made a guest appearance in the later Woody Woodpecker TV special "Spook-A-Nanny" (1964), in which he was voiced by Daws Butler
Daws Butler
Charles Dawson "Daws" Butler was a voice actor originally from Toledo, Ohio. He worked mostly for Hanna-Barbera and originated the voices of many famous animated cartoon characters, including Yogi Bear, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, and Huckleberry Hound.Daws Butler trained many working actors...
.
Andy led a major part of his career in comic books. One early Andy Panda comic book adventure was drawn by Carl Barks
Carl Barks
Carl Barks was an American Disney Studio illustrator and comic book creator, who invented Duckburg and many of its inhabitants, such as Scrooge McDuck , Gladstone Gander , the Beagle Boys , The Junior Woodchucks , Gyro Gearloose , Cornelius Coot , Flintheart Glomgold , John D...
(New Funnies 76, 1943). John Stanley
John Stanley
-Leaders:* John I Stanley of the Isle of Man , Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and King of Mann* John II Stanley of the Isle of Man , Knight of the Garter and King of Mann-Politicians:...
also did Andy Panda comic book work.
In late 1943, the comic book version of Andy Panda acquired a sidekick, Charlie Chicken, and stories about their often bizarre adventures ran for many years. Some were reprinted domestically as recently as the 1990s, and in Sweden as recently as 2001.
Other appearances
Woody and Andy appeared in Musical Miniatures such as Banquet BustersBanquet Busters
Banquet Busters is the 27th animated cartoon short subject in the Woody Woodpecker series. Released theatrically on March 3, 1948, the film was produced by Walter Lantz Productions and distributed by United Artists.- Plot :...
and Musical Moments with Chopin . He also had a cameo in The Woody Woodpecker Polka
The Woody Woodpecker Polka
The Woody Woodpecker Polka is the 37th animated cartoon short subject in the Woody Woodpecker series. Released theatrically on October 29, 1951, the film was produced by Walter Lantz Productions and distributed by Universal International.-Plot:...
with Space Mouse
Space Mouse
The first Space Mouse was a comic book character published from 1953 to around 1956 by Avon Publications. "Space Mouse" was also the name of a 1959 Universal Studios cartoon featuring two mice and a cat named Hickory, Dickory, and Doc. A second Space Mouse character was published by Dell Comics ...
and Miranda Panda.
External links
- Andy Panda at the Toonopedia