Ghostly Goings-On
It’s only appropriate that we initiate “I See Dead People Week” with “The Friendly Ghost”, the 1945 debut of the screen’s premier deceased cartoon character, Casper. The casual viewer might note this short has a somewhat higher ‘creepy’ quotient than later episodes — not so much like “Isn’t this really scary?” creepy, but more “Isn’t this kinda disturbing, and exactly what were they thinking?” creepy. About the time our dead cartoon hero falls even deeper into chronic depression and attempts (redundantly) suicide, you begin to understand why this started out as an UNPUBLISHED children’s book.
On the technical side, Casper was also the first translucent cartoon star with an ongoing series. As a kid, I spent way too much time wondering what kind of paint the artists at Paramount Famous Cartoon Studios used to get that tissue paper transparency effect. Some later cartoons like “To Boo or Not to Boo” actually used Casper’s lack of opacity as a major plot point!
We hope you see your way clear to join us tomorrow here at ReFrederator, your day to day classic cartoon companion.
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On May 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
The Harvey Comics characters have an interesting cosmology. If Casper is dead then why isn’t he beening tormented in Hell by the Hot Stuff Devil???? We all know where Richie Rich is going, and it ain’t through the eye of a needle!!!!
On May 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Why can’t Casper play with other ghost children? Why traumatize living kids and animals when there must be lots of the dead to hang around (unless it’s part of his penance)
On May 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
I don’t know, maybe Casper was on the payroll at the “Neverland Ranch” before cashing in his chips……..Of course nothing was ever proved.
On May 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
very funny sad sack….the keyword here is, “alleged”…………
Casper the Freindly Ghoast was an important part of the after school line up in the mid 60’s. I would plop myself down in front of the ol’ Zenith with the fake woodgrain metal cabnet & black & white picture and watch Hobo Kelly, Romper Room, Sheriff John, (I still remember the “Laugh And Be Happy” song by heart), Kaptin Kangaroo, Felix the Cat, Casper,the Friendly Ghost and of course, Bozo the Clown, in the LA area……oh and don’t forget Yogi Bear & Bullwinkle, they were there too!……Those old Popeye toons brought back many happy memories of watching the afternoon episodes in San Deigo with my grandfather, who was an avid Popeye fan.
On May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Casper doesn’t play with other ghosts (kids or otherwise) because all they are interested in is scaring living people and things. Casper is a friendly ghost and only wants everybody to get along.
Because of this, I think he’s a bit of a ponce…
On May 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Does anybody know what the music is in the scene where all the unfriendly ghosts are flying around the town? It sounds like a well-known piece of classical music, but I can’t identify it.