Granny (Looney Tunes)
Encyclopedia
Granny is a co-star of many Sylvester the Cat and Tweety Bird animated shorts throughout the 1950s and 1960s, is a Looney Tunes
character that was created by Tex Avery
. She is the owner of Tweety (and more often than not, Sylvester and Hector the Bulldog). Granny's voice was first provided by Bea Benaderet
from 1937 through 1953. June Foray
later took the role and is still providing Granny's voice as of 2011.
At least until the mid-1950s, Granny is depicted as an elderly, old-fashioned spinster who wears spectacles, a gray bun and a late 19th-century schoolmarm dress with a bustle; other old-fashioned characteristics include her mode of transportation (usually, a Ford Model T
or a horse and buggy
) and her inability to relate to present fads (such as her telling Tweety
she's about to try on a new "bikini bathing suit," which turns out to be a full one-piece outfit from the turn-of-the-20th century). After 1955 -- in particular, the years after Foray began voicing the character -- the character's wardrobe was updated and her old-fashioned tastes and ways of life were de-emphasized, and was sometimes given modern careers, such as a nurse or a bus driver.
character in spoofs of the story; first appearing as such in the 1937 animated short Little Red Walking Hood
which featured Egghead, directed by Tex Avery
. Subsequent appearances of a similar "granny" character included The Cagey Canary, directed by Bob Clampett
; Hiss and Make Up, directed by Friz Freleng
; and Hare Force
, featuring Bugs Bunny
and Sylvester the dog (a one-off character distinct from the later Sylvester the cat). Finally, the character was solidified into her current role in Canary Row
. She would continue to appear in several more animated shorts from the 1950s on, as a foil for Sylvester the Cat
, who was always attempting to eat her pet bird, Tweety
, a pudgy-faced yellow canary.
, she starred as a woman who was being fought over by two suitors, Yosemite Sam
and Bugs Bunny
(the latter out to thwart the former's evil plan). Sam called her "Emma" and later "Emmy". Another one was the 1965 short Corn on the Cop
, where she appears alongside Daffy Duck
and Porky Pig
as two Keystone Cops who mistake her for a crook disguised like her. She is in this story addressed as "Mrs. Webster" by a passing policeman.
, a regular character in The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries
, and a timekeeper in Bugs Bunny and Taz Time Busters. Granny and Witch Hazel donned cheerleader uniforms for the Toonsquad in the movie Space Jam
, and the children's grandmother and new character Floyd's aunt in Baby Looney Tunes
. She made two cameo appearance in Looney Tunes: Back in Action
, although in one of those appearances this "Granny" was actually the Acme Chairman in disguise. She also appeared in Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
and in Tweety's High-Flying Adventure.
An episode of Loonatics Unleashed
featured characters named Queen Grannicus, the Royal Tweetums, and Sylth Vester (being a parody of Darth Vader
). However, another episode features a cameo of Granny herself, apparently still alive in the year 2772.
In The Looney Tunes Show
, Granny is one of Bugs and Daffy's neighbors. Unlike the original cartoons, Granny has an actual name - Emma Webster. Sylvester
and Tweety
are her pets. This version of Granny seems to be somewhat hard of hearing. She appears in multiple episodes, again voiced by June Foray
.
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
character that was created by Tex Avery
Tex Avery
Frederick Bean "Fred/Tex" Avery was an American animator, cartoonist, voice actor and director, famous for producing animated cartoons during The Golden Age of Hollywood animation. He did his most significant work for the Warner Bros...
. She is the owner of Tweety (and more often than not, Sylvester and Hector the Bulldog). Granny's voice was first provided by Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet
Bea Benaderet was an American actress born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California. She is best remembered for her wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series Petticoat Junction and Green Acres as Shady Rest Hotel owner Kate...
from 1937 through 1953. June Foray
June Foray
June Foray is an American voice actress, best known as the voice of many animated characters...
later took the role and is still providing Granny's voice as of 2011.
Fictional character biography
The character of Granny is that of a generally good natured, widowed woman who is extremly protective of her beloved canary, Tweety. Granny's overprotectiveness becomes apparent whenever Tweety is threatened (usually by Sylvester, a hungry pussy cat who prefers eating birds over cat food). Although having the appearance as a kindly old woman, Granny has demonstrated her cleverness in many cartoons.At least until the mid-1950s, Granny is depicted as an elderly, old-fashioned spinster who wears spectacles, a gray bun and a late 19th-century schoolmarm dress with a bustle; other old-fashioned characteristics include her mode of transportation (usually, a Ford Model T
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to May 1927...
or a horse and buggy
Horse and buggy
A horse and buggy or horse and carriage refers to a light, simple, two-person carriage of the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn usually by one or sometimes by two horses...
) and her inability to relate to present fads (such as her telling Tweety
Tweety
Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
she's about to try on a new "bikini bathing suit," which turns out to be a full one-piece outfit from the turn-of-the-20th century). After 1955 -- in particular, the years after Foray began voicing the character -- the character's wardrobe was updated and her old-fashioned tastes and ways of life were de-emphasized, and was sometimes given modern careers, such as a nurse or a bus driver.
Animated appearances
The idea of the cartoon Granny began with the Little Red Riding HoodLittle Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
character in spoofs of the story; first appearing as such in the 1937 animated short Little Red Walking Hood
Little Red Walking Hood
Little Red Walking Hood is a Merrie Melodies cartoon short, released in 1937 by Warner Bros. and directed by Tex Avery.-Plot:The cartoon features the basic plot of Little Red Riding Hood, with a few twists and oddball Tex Avery-like gags, such as Red displaying a Katharine Hepburn persona, or...
which featured Egghead, directed by Tex Avery
Tex Avery
Frederick Bean "Fred/Tex" Avery was an American animator, cartoonist, voice actor and director, famous for producing animated cartoons during The Golden Age of Hollywood animation. He did his most significant work for the Warner Bros...
. Subsequent appearances of a similar "granny" character included The Cagey Canary, directed by Bob Clampett
Bob Clampett
Robert Emerson "Bob" Clampett was an American animator, producer, director, and puppeteer best known for his work on the Looney Tunes animated series from Warner Bros., and the television shows Time for Beany and Beany and Cecil...
; Hiss and Make Up, directed by Friz Freleng
Friz Freleng
Isadore "Friz" Freleng was an animator, cartoonist, director, and producer best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros....
; and Hare Force
Hare Force
Hare Force is a 1944 Warner Bros. cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Friz Freleng and starring Bugs Bunny and an old lady. Although the title is an obvious play on Air Force, the cartoon's plot has nothing to do with the military. The unit of Friz Freleng was the first unit besides...
, featuring Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most...
and Sylvester the dog (a one-off character distinct from the later Sylvester the cat). Finally, the character was solidified into her current role in Canary Row
Canary Row
Canary Row is a 1949 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies short, released in 1950 and directed by Friz Freleng, written by Tedd Pierce, and starring Tweety Bird and Sylvester. This is the first Sylvester and Tweety cartoon to feature Granny...
. She would continue to appear in several more animated shorts from the 1950s on, as a foil for Sylvester the Cat
Sylvester (Looney Tunes)
Sylvester J. Pussycat, Sr., Sylvester the Cat or simply Sylvester, is a fictional character, a three-time Academy Award-winning anthropomorphic Tuxedo cat in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies repertory, often chasing Tweety Bird, Speedy Gonzales, or Hippety Hopper...
, who was always attempting to eat her pet bird, Tweety
Tweety
Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
, a pudgy-faced yellow canary.
Solo appearances
Although she was almost always shown onscreen with her two animal companions, Granny could occasionally be seen in an animated short without them. For example, in the 1953 short, Hare TrimmedHare Trimmed
Hare Trimmed is a 1953 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies short directed by Friz Freleng and written by Warren Foster, which features Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam, voiced by Mel Blanc, and Granny voiced by uncredited Bea Benaderet.- Plot :...
, she starred as a woman who was being fought over by two suitors, Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam
Yosemite Sam is an American animated cartoon character in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The name is somewhat alliterative and is inspired by Yosemite National Park...
and Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most...
(the latter out to thwart the former's evil plan). Sam called her "Emma" and later "Emmy". Another one was the 1965 short Corn on the Cop
Corn on the Cop
Corn on the Cop is a "Merrie Melodies" animated cartoon short starring Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Granny. Released July 24, 1965, the cartoon is directed by Irv Spector; the only time that Spector, who was mostly known as a story artist, ever acted as director on a theatrical cartoon...
, where she appears alongside Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...
and Porky Pig
Porky Pig
Porky Pig is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons. He was the first character created by the studio to draw audiences based on his star power, and the animators created many critically acclaimed shorts using the fat little pig...
as two Keystone Cops who mistake her for a crook disguised like her. She is in this story addressed as "Mrs. Webster" by a passing policeman.
Later appearances
More recently, she has appeared as a professor at Acme Looniversity in Tiny Toon AdventuresTiny Toon Adventures
Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures, usually referred to as Tiny Toon Adventures or simply Tiny Toons, is an American animated television series created by Tom Ruegger and produced by Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. It began production as a result of Warner Bros....
, a regular character in The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries
The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries
The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, produced by Warner Bros. Animation, is an animated television series which aired from 1995 to 2001 on Kids' WB and was later re-run on Cartoon Network...
, and a timekeeper in Bugs Bunny and Taz Time Busters. Granny and Witch Hazel donned cheerleader uniforms for the Toonsquad in the movie Space Jam
Space Jam
Aside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
, and the children's grandmother and new character Floyd's aunt in Baby Looney Tunes
Baby Looney Tunes
Baby Looney Tunes is a Canadian-American animated television series that shows Looney Tunes characters as toddlers. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation....
. She made two cameo appearance in Looney Tunes: Back in Action
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
Looney Tunes: Back in Action is a 2003 American live action/animated adventure comedy film directed by Joe Dante and starring Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Timothy Dalton, and Steve Martin. The film is essentially a feature-length Looney Tunes cartoon, with all the wackiness and surrealism typical...
, although in one of those appearances this "Granny" was actually the Acme Chairman in disguise. She also appeared in Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas is a 2006 animated direct-to-video film starring the Looney Tunes and directed by Charles Visser and produced by Warner Bros. Animation...
and in Tweety's High-Flying Adventure.
An episode of Loonatics Unleashed
Loonatics Unleashed
Loonatics Unleashed is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation that ran on the Kids' WB for two seasons from 2005 to 2007 in the United States, Teletoon in Canada, Kids Central in Singapore, Cartoon Network's Boomerang in Australia, Cartoon Network in the UK,...
featured characters named Queen Grannicus, the Royal Tweetums, and Sylth Vester (being a parody of Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
). However, another episode features a cameo of Granny herself, apparently still alive in the year 2772.
In The Looney Tunes Show
The Looney Tunes Show
The Looney Tunes Show is a packaged show, created for Cartoon Network, and broadcast from 2002 to 2005. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. The show featured cartoon shorts from the original Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies theatrical cartoon series produced from 1930 to 1969.-External links:...
, Granny is one of Bugs and Daffy's neighbors. Unlike the original cartoons, Granny has an actual name - Emma Webster. Sylvester
Sylvester
Sylvester is a name derived from the Latin adjective silvestris meaning "wooded" or "wild", which derives from the noun silva meaning "woodland". Classical Latin spells this with i. In Classical Latin y represented a separate sound distinct from i, not a native Latin sound but one used in...
and Tweety
Tweety
Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
are her pets. This version of Granny seems to be somewhat hard of hearing. She appears in multiple episodes, again voiced by June Foray
June Foray
June Foray is an American voice actress, best known as the voice of many animated characters...
.