Father’s Day charaters: Augie Doggie and Spike
There have been many Hanna Barbera characters with personalities based on famous actors and personalities. The Flintstones had their Honeymooners influences, Jabber Jaw sounded a lot like Curly from the Three Stooges, and Doggie Daddy (from the series of Augie Doggie cartoons) was no different. While he sounds like Jimmy Durante, his character and his relationship with his son are actually borrowed from two earlier Hanna Barbera characters, Spike and Tyke, who were created while they were at MGM. Spike’s son Tyke first appeared in the 1949 short “Love that Pup”.
The main difference (other than breed of dog) would be the character of the son. Spike’s son Tyke is seemingly much younger than Augie, as Tyke cannot speak, only bark. Perhaps the time difference in first appearances would account for the aging of the son? Tyke was created in 1949. If he continued to age in real time, he would be very close in age to Augie when he first appeared in 1959. This doesn’t take into account the idea of dog years.
Anyway, whether you are an Augie Doggie fan, or a Spike and Tyke fan, have a great Father’s Day.
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On June 16th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Just for what it’s worth, Augie Doggie is the son’s name. The father is known as Doggy Daddy.
On June 16th, 2008 at 7:56 am
and… maybe I misunderstood your first first reference, because you have it right in the second…