Jump to content

Mr. Magoo: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 3 sources and tagging 1 as dead. #IABot (v1.6.5) (Cyberpower678)
m →History: Rephrasing
 
(220 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Fictional cartoon character}}
{{About||the TV series|Mister Magoo{{!}}''Mister Magoo''|the 2019 French TV series|Mr. Magoo (TV series){{!}}''Mr. Magoo'' (TV series)|the film|Mr. Magoo (film){{!}}''Mr. Magoo'' (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox character
{{Infobox character
| colour = #DEDEE2
| name = Mr. Magoo
| image = MagooAndDog.jpg
| colour text =
| name = Mr. Magoo
| caption = Mr. Magoo and McBarker from<br/>''What's New, Mr. Magoo?''
| series =
| first = "The Ragtime Bear" (1949)
| image = File:MagooAndDog.jpg
| creator = {{plainlist|
*[[Millard Kaufman]]
| image_size = 250px
*[[John Hubley]]
| caption = Mr. Magoo and McBarker from<br>''What's New, Mr. Magoo?''
}}
| first =
| last =
| adapted_by = {{plainlist|
⚫
*[[Willis Pyle]]<ref name=thr>{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Barnes |title=Willis Pyle, Famed Animator on 'Pinocchio' and 'Mr. Magoo,' Dies at 101 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/willis-pyle-dead-pinocchio-magoo-900742 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2016-06-08 |access-date=2016-06-28}}</ref>
| cause =
*Sherm Glas
⚫
| creator = [[Millard Kaufman]]<br />[[John Hubley]]<br />[[Willis Pyle]]<ref name=thr>{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Barnes |title=Willis Pyle, Famed Animator on 'Pinocchio' and 'Mr. Magoo,' Dies at 101 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/willis-pyle-dead-pinocchio-magoo-900742 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=2016-06-08 |access-date=2016-06-28}}</ref> Sherm Glas
}}
| nickname =
| portrayer = [[Jim Backus]] (1949–1989)<br />[[Jim Conroy]] (''[[Kung Fu Magoo]]'')<br />[[Leslie Nielsen]] (film)
| portrayer = [[Leslie Nielsen]]
| alias = Quincy Magoo
| voice = {{Plainlist|
*[[Jim Backus]] {{small|(1949–1989)}}
| species = Human
*[[Greg Burson]] {{small|(film, animated segments)}}
| gender = Male
*[[Jim Conroy]] {{small|(''[[Kung-Fu Magoo]]'')}}
| occupation =
*[[Ian Hanlin]] {{small|(TV)}}
| title =
}}
| family = Waldo, Mother Magoo, Granny Magoo, Tycoon Magoo
| spouse =
| full_name = Quincy Magoo
| family = {{plainlist|
| significantother =
*Linda (mother)
| children =
*Granny (grandmother)
| relatives =
*Tycoon (uncle)
| religion =
*Waldo (nephew)}}
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
⚫
| alma_mater = [[Rutgers University]]
| lbl21 = Alma mater
⚫
| data21 = [[Rutgers University]]
}}
}}


'''Mr. Magoo''', sometimes given the first names '''J. Quincy''', is a [[Animated cartoon|cartoon]] character created at the [[UPA (animation studio)|UPA]] animation studio in 1949. Voiced by [[Jim Backus]], Mr. Magoo is a wealthy, short-statured retiree who gets into a series of comical situations as a result of his extreme [[near-sightedness]], compounded by his stubborn refusal to admit the problem. However, through uncanny streaks of luck, the situation always seems to work itself out for him, leaving him no worse than before.
'''Quincy Magoo''', better known as '''Mr. Magoo''', is a fictional [[Animated cartoon|cartoon]] character created at the [[UPA (animation studio)|UPA]] animation studio in 1949. Voiced by [[Jim Backus]], Mr. Magoo is an elderly, wealthy, short-statured retiree who gets into a series of comical situations as a result of his extreme [[near-sightedness]], compounded by his stubborn refusal to admit the problem. However, through uncanny streaks of luck, the situation always seems to work itself out for him, leaving him no worse than before. Bystanders consequently tend to think that he is a [[lunatic]], rather than just being near-sighted. In later cartoons, he is also an actor, and generally a competent one, except for his visual impairment.

Affected people (or animals) consequently tend to think that he is a lunatic, rather than just being nearsighted. In later cartoons he is also an actor, and generally a competent one, except for his visual impairment.


''Magoo'' episodes were nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film]] (the Oscar) four times, and received the award twice, for ''[[When Magoo Flew]]'' (1954) and ''Magoo's Puddle Jumper'' (1956).
''Magoo'' episodes were nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film]] four times, and received the award twice, for ''[[When Magoo Flew]]'' (1954) and ''[[Magoo's Puddle Jumper]]'' (1956).


In 2002, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked Mr. Magoo number 29 on its "50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite book|title=TV Guide Book of Lists|year=2007|publisher=Running Press|location=158|isbn=0-7624-3007-9}}</ref>
In 2002, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked Mr. Magoo number 29 on its "50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite book|title=TV Guide Book of Lists|url=https://archive.org/details/tvguidebookoflis0000unse|url-access=registration|year=2007|publisher=Running Press|page=158|isbn=978-0-7624-3007-9}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Mr. Magoo's first appearance was in the theatrical short cartoon ''The Ragtime Bear'' (1949), scripted by [[Millard Kaufman]]. His creation was a collaborative effort; animation director [[John Hubley]] is said to have partly based the character on his uncle Harry Woodruff,<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1225373 Letter from Hubley]. Kaufman claimed in a [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15691299 2007 interview] that the character was based on ''his'' uncle.</ref> and [[W. C. Fields]] was another source of inspiration. In a legend circulating among medievalists, [[Harvard University]] professor [[Francis Peabody Magoun|Francis P. Magoun]] is also said to have been the model for the character.<ref>[http://johnwalter.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_archive.html According to John P. Walter], the archivist for the [[Walter J. Ong]] archive ([[Saint Louis University]])</ref> However, there is no evidence that artist Hubley knew the scholar. [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]] was reluctant to release the short, but did so, only because it included a bear. However, audiences quickly realized that the real star was Magoo, one of the few "human" cartoon characters ever produced in Hollywood at the time. The short became a box-office success.
Mr. Magoo's first appearance was in the theatrical short cartoon "The Ragtime Bear" (1949), scripted by [[Millard Kaufman]]. His creation was a collaborative effort; animation director [[John Hubley]] is said to have partly based the character on his uncle Harry Woodruff,<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1225373 Letter from Hubley]. Kaufman claimed in a [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15691299 2007 interview] that the character was based on ''his'' uncle.</ref> and [[W. C. Fields]] was another source of inspiration.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]] was reluctant to release the short, but did so, only because it included a bear.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} However, audiences quickly realized that the real star was Magoo, one of the few "human" cartoon characters ever produced in Hollywood at the time.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} The short became a box-office success.


The Magoo character was originally conceived as a mean-spirited reactionary.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Mark |title=Think Pink: The Story of DePatie-Freleng |date=2015 |publisher=BearManor Media |isbn=978-1593931698 |page=441}}</ref> Hubley, who had created Magoo, handed the series completely over to creative director [[Pete Burness]]. Under Burness, Magoo won two [[Academy Awards]] for the studio with ''[[When Magoo Flew]]'' (1954) and ''[[Magoo's Puddle Jumper]]'' (1956).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lenburg |first1=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons |date=1999 |publisher=Checkmark Books |isbn=0-8160-3831-7 |access-date=6 June 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780816038312/page/111/mode/2up |pages=111–112}}</ref> Burness scrubbed Magoo of his meanness and left only a few strange comments that made him appear senile or somewhat mad. At the same time, art director [[Sterling Sturtevant]] redesigned the character's appearance.<ref name=Abraham>Abraham, Adam (2012). [https://vdoc.pub/documents/when-magoo-flew-the-rise-and-fall-of-animation-studio-upa-3ne46648sj70 When Magoo Flew: The Rise And Fall Of Animation Studio UPA], Wesleyan University Press. {{ISBN|978-0819569141}}. Retrieved 28 Aug 2022.</ref> Magoo was frequently accompanied in his on-screen escapades with his nephew Waldo, voiced at various times by either [[Jerry Hausner]] or [[Daws Butler]].
The Magoo character was originally conceived as a mean-spirited [[Joseph McCarthy|McCarthy]]-like reactionary whose mumbling would include as much outrageous [[Misanthropy|misanthropic]] ranting as the animators could get away with. Kaufman had actually been [[Hollywood blacklist|blacklisted]], and Magoo was a form of protest. Hubley was an ex-[[Communism|communist]] who had participated in the [[Disney animators' strike]] in 1941. Both he and Kaufman had participated in the blacklist front and perhaps due to the risk of coming under more scrutiny with a successful character, Hubley, who had created Magoo, handed the series completely over to creative director [[Pete Burness]]. However, it was Production Manager Sherm Glas who designed the character itself.


⚫
In 1957, the record album ''Magoo in [[High fidelity|Hi-Fi]]'' was released. Side 1 consisted of a dialogue between Magoo and Waldo taking place while Magoo was attempting to set up his new [[Shelf stereo|sound system]]. Music on the album was composed and conducted by [[Dennis Farnon]] and his orchestra. Side 2, "The Mother Magoo Suite", was a series of musical pieces which included two solos by [[Marni Nixon]].
Under Burness, Magoo would win two [[Academy Awards]] for the studio with ''[[When Magoo Flew]]'' (1955) and ''[[Magoo's Puddle Jumper]]'' (1956). Burness scrubbed Magoo of his politicized meanness and left only a few strange unempathic comments that made him appear senile or somewhat mad. Magoo was frequently accompanied in his on-screen escapades with his nephew Waldo, voiced at various times by [[Jerry Hausner]] or [[Daws Butler]].


⚫
In 1959, Mr. Magoo starred in ''[[1001 Arabian Nights (1959 film)|1001 Arabian Nights]]'', directed by [[Jack Kinney]], UPA's first feature-length production.<ref name="MaltinMiceMagic">{{cite book |title=Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |year=1987 |publisher=New American Library |isbn=0-452-25993-2 |page=341 }}</ref>
On talk shows, Backus often told the tale of how he originally discovered Magoo's voice when he put on a fake rubber nose that pinched his nose slightly, giving it the nasal sound. He was only able to perform the voice with the help of the rubber nose for some time, but eventually learned how to re-create it without its assistance. He would usually pull out the nose (or a facsimile, since the original had been lost some years before) and put it on and break into the familiar voice.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}}


In 1994, a [[Sega Mega Drive]] game starring Mr. Magoo was in development and planned to be published by [[Millennium Interactive]] but never released.<ref name="MZ36b2">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/megazoneau36#page/n14/mode/1up|title=GameSpy - PreViews: Mr Magoo|magazine=[[Mega Zone]]|issue=36|publisher=Elwood, Vic.: Megazone Publications|date=February 1994|page=15}}</ref>
⚫
In 1957, the record album ''Magoo in [[High fidelity|Hi-Fi]]'' was released. Side 1 consisted of a dialog between Magoo and Waldo taking place while Magoo was attempting to set up his new [[Shelf stereo|sound system]]. Music on the album was composed and conducted by [[Dennis Farnon]] and his orchestra. Side 2, "The Mother Magoo Suite", was a series of musical pieces which included two solos by [[Marni Nixon]].


⚫
In 1997, the live-action comedy film ''[[Mr. Magoo (film)|Mr. Magoo]]'', produced by Walt Disney Pictures and starring [[Leslie Nielsen]] as the title character,<ref>{{cite news |title='Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-24-ca-1654-story.html |access-date=2012-06-03}}</ref> was released in December to overwhelmingly negative critical reception.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Magoo (film) |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19971225/REVIEWS/712250303 |access-date=2012-06-03 |archive-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214024907/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19971225/REVIEWS/712250303 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
In 1959, Mr. Magoo starred in ''[[1001 Arabian Nights (1959 film)|1001 Arabian Nights]]'', directed by [[Jack Kinney]], UPA's first feature-length production.<ref name="MaltinMiceMagic">{{cite book |title=Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1987 |publisher=New American Library |location= |isbn=0-452-25993-2 |page=341 }}</ref>


⚫
In 2010, a [[direct-to-video]] action-comedy film based on the character, ''[[Kung Fu Magoo]]'', was released on DVD on May 11, 2010. It features the voices of [[Jim Conroy]], [[Chris Parnell]], [[Dylan and Cole Sprouse]], and [[Alyson Stoner]].<ref name="animationworldnetwork">{{cite news|last=DeMott|first=Rick|title=Disney XD Picks Up 'Kung Fu Magoo' Feature|url=http://www.awn.com/news/disney-xd-picks-kung-fu-magoo-feature|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=Animation World Network|date=12 October 2010}}</ref> The film is a Mexican–American co-production, produced by [[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]], [[Ánima Estudios]], and Santo Domingo Films.<ref name="variety">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/news/anima-classic-to-do-magoo-1117980804/|title=Anima, Classic to do 'Magoo'|last=O'Boyle|first=Michael|date=12 February 2008|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=21 January 2010}}</ref> The film was directed by Andrés Couturier. His most recent appearance was in [[DreamWorks Animation]]'s ''[[The Boss Baby]]'', where he briefly appears on the cover of a comic book.
⚫
In 1997, the live-action comedy film ''[[Mr. Magoo (film)|Mr. Magoo]]'' was produced by Walt Disney Pictures on December 25, 1997 and starred [[Leslie Nielsen]] as the title character.<ref>{{cite news |title='Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date= |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997/dec/24/entertainment/ca-1654 |access-date=2012-06-03}}</ref> The film received negative reviews from critics<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Magoo (film) |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date= |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19971225/REVIEWS/712250303 |access-date=2012-06-03}}</ref>


⚫
==On television and in popular culture==
⚫
In 2010, a [[direct-to-video]] action-comedy film based on the character, ''[[Kung Fu Magoo]]'', was released on DVD on May 11, 2010. It features the voices of [[Jim Conroy]], [[Chris Parnell]], [[Dylan and Cole Sprouse]], and [[Alyson Stoner]].<ref name="animationworldnetwork">{{cite news|last=DeMott|first=Rick|title=Disney XD Picks Up 'Kung Fu Magoo' Feature|url=http://www.awn.com/news/disney-xd-picks-kung-fu-magoo-feature|access-date=10 March 2014|newspaper=Animation World Network|date=12 October 2010}}</ref> The film is a Mexican–American co-production, produced by [[DreamWorks Classics|Classic Media]], [[Ánima Estudios]], and Santo Domingo Films.<ref name="variety">{{cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980804.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|title=Anima, Classic to do 'Magoo'|last=O'Boyle|first=Michael|date=12 February 2008|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=21 January 2010}}</ref> The film was directed by Andrés Couturier. His most recent appearance was in [[DreamWorks Animation]]'s ''[[The Boss Baby]]'', where he briefly appears on the cover of a comic book.
{{original research section|date=November 2023}}
⚫
In the 1960s, UPA turned its attention to television and began producing the series ''[[Mister Magoo]]'' for the character. Because UPA had shut down its animation studio in 1959, the animation for these cartoons was done by [[Jack Kinney|Jack Kinney Productions]] and [[Larry Harmon Pictures]]. The cartoons suffered from varying character designs and choppier animation, due to rushed production schedules. Magoo's nephew Waldo (voiced, as in most of the theatrical cartoons, by Jerry Hausner) was seldom seen with his uncle, now appearing in his own episodes, introduced by a brief phone conversation from Magoo's point of view, which acted as a teaser. The Waldo episodes also featured a slick-talking con man named Prezly, and they always ended with a return to Magoo saying, "Oh, that Waldo and Prezly. What'll they be up to next? Hee hee hee!"


Magoo's houseboy Cholly (i.e., "Charlie") took up a lot of Waldo's slack. Cholly was an Asian stereotype with huge buck teeth and fractured English pronunciation.
⚫
==On television==
⚫
In the 1960s, UPA turned its attention to television, and began producing the series ''The Mr. Magoo Show'' for the character. Because UPA had shut down its animation studio in 1959, the animation for these cartoons was done by [[Jack Kinney|Jack Kinney Productions]] and [[Larry Harmon Pictures]]. The cartoons suffered from varying character designs and choppier animation, due to rushed production schedules. Magoo's nephew Waldo (voiced, as in most of the theatrical cartoons, by Jerry Hausner) was seldom seen with his uncle, now appearing in his own episodes, introduced by a brief phone conversation from Magoo's point of view, which acted as a teaser. The Waldo episodes also featured a slick-talking con man named Presley, and always ended with a return to Magoo saying, "Oh, that Waldo and Presley. What'll they be up to next? Hee hee hee!"

Magoo's houseboy Cholly (i.e. "Charlie") took up a lot of Waldo's slack. Cholly was an Asian stereotype with huge buck teeth and comically fractured English pronunciation. Despite his stereotyped appearance and voice, he nonetheless usually plays [[Double act|straight man]] to Magoo's shenanigans, rather than being a source of humor on his own. He is the "sane" one of the pair. His resourcefulness often saves Magoo from danger.


Still other cartoons featured Tycoon Magoo, voiced by [[Mel Blanc]], and his bumbling assistant Worcestershire.
Still other cartoons featured Tycoon Magoo, voiced by [[Mel Blanc]], and his bumbling assistant Worcestershire.


During the UPA television era came ''[[Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol]]'', an abbreviated but largely faithful retelling of [[A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens' tale]]. It was the first ever animated Christmas special made for television and the first hour-long animated TV special and is considered to be a holiday classic of the 1960s, ranking alongside ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]]'' and ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas!]]''.<ref name="Hill">{{cite web | last = Hill | first = Jim | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Scrooge U: Part VI – Magoo's a musical miser | work = | publisher = JimHillMedia.com | date = November 28, 2006 | url = http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2006/11/28/christmas-carol-vi.aspx | doi = | access-date = 2006-12-25}}</ref> The special inspired production of an animated TV series titled ''[[The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo]]'', which placed Magoo as an actor in other well-known stories. After an introduction in Magoo's backstage [[Changing room|dressing room]], Magoo was depicted in such roles as [[The Count of Monte Cristo]], [[Merlin]] in an upbeat retelling of the story of [[King Arthur]], [[Friar Tuck]] in ''[[Robin Hood]]'', and [[Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)|Puck]] in ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]''.
During the UPA television era came ''[[Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol]]'', an abbreviated but largely faithful retelling of [[A Christmas Carol|Charles Dickens' tale]]. It was the first ever animated Christmas special made for television and the first hour-long animated TV special and is considered to be a holiday classic of the 1960s, ranking alongside ''[[A Charlie Brown Christmas]]'' and ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas!]]''.<ref name="Hill">{{cite web | last = Hill | first = Jim | title = Scrooge U: Part VI – Magoo's a musical miser | publisher = JimHillMedia.com | date = November 28, 2006 | url = http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2006/11/28/christmas-carol-vi.aspx | access-date = 2006-12-25}}</ref> The special inspired the production of an animated TV series titled ''[[The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo]]'', which placed Magoo as an actor in other well-known stories. After an introduction in Magoo's backstage [[Changing room|dressing room]], Magoo was depicted in such roles as ''[[The Count of Monte Cristo]]'', [[Merlin]] in an upbeat retelling of the story of [[King Arthur]], [[Friar Tuck]] in ''[[Robin Hood]]'', and [[Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)|Puck]] in ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]''.


In 1970 Mr. Magoo starred as Uncle Sam in the TV special ''[[Uncle Sam Magoo]]''.
In 1970, Mr. Magoo starred as Uncle Sam in the TV special ''[[Uncle Sam Magoo]]''.


In the late 1970s, Mr. Magoo appeared in a new Saturday morning [[CBS]] television series called ''[[What's New, Mr. Magoo?]]'' This series was made under license by the [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises|DePatie–Freleng]] studio, as UPA had by this time ceased in-house cartoon production.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Magoo appeared in a new Saturday morning [[CBS]] television series called ''[[What's New, Mr. Magoo?]]'' This series was made under license by the [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises|DePatie–Freleng]] studio, as UPA had by this time ceased in-house cartoon production.


Mr. Magoo was planned to have a cameo in the 1988 film ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', but this was dropped for unknown reasons.
⚫
In 1997, Mr. Magoo was portrayed by [[Leslie Nielsen]] in a live-action ''[[Mr. Magoo (film)|Mr. Magoo]]'' feature film. It failed to find critical or popular success, and some support groups for the [[Disability|disabled]], including the [[National Federation of the Blind]], protested it on behalf of the blind and sight impaired.<ref name="Anderson">{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1997/dec/24/entertainment/ca-1654|title='Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action|last=Anderson|first=John|date=December 24, 1997|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref>


[[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[Weinerville]]'' anthologizes most of his shorts.
⚫
A Mexican-US animated feature, ''[[Kung Fu Magoo]]'', was released as a direct-to-DVD release in 2010 and made its TV debut on Disney XD in 2011.


⚫
In 1997, Mr. Magoo was portrayed by [[Leslie Nielsen]] in a live-action ''[[Mr. Magoo (film)|Mr. Magoo]]'' feature film. It failed to find critical or popular success, and some support groups for the [[Disability|disabled]], including the [[National Federation of the Blind]], protested it on behalf of the blind and sight-impaired.<ref name="Anderson">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-24-ca-1654-story.html|title='Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action|last=Anderson|first=John|date=December 24, 1997|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 22, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
Mr. Magoo helped advertise the [[General Electric]] line of products throughout the 1950s and 1960s,<ref>[http://graphic-design.tjs-labs.com/show-picture?id=1062616508 General Electric advertisement featuring Mr. Magoo]. ''Life'' Magazine December 14, 1959</ref> sometimes under the name J. Quincy Magoo.<ref>James A. Cox, ''A Century of Light'', 1979, p. 122, 126</ref> In 2005, Mr. Magoo became the [[Spokesperson|spokesman]] of the optical retail store Sterling Optical. Magoo also was featured in a series of commercials for [[Griesedieck Brothers beer|Stag Beer]] in the 1960s. Also in the 1960s, the Polaner company sold its line of preserves in jars decorated with images of Mr. Magoo, which when empty could then be used as drinking glasses.


⚫
A Mexican-U.S. animated feature, ''[[Kung-Fu Magoo]]'', was released as a direct-to-DVD release in 2010 and made its TV debut on Disney XD in 2011.
⚫
ASI Entertainment <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asientertainment.com/Dial-Testing.html |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |publisher=Asientertainment.com |date= |access-date=June 13, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> has used Mr. Magoo cartoons to "warm up" audiences when testing television comedy pilots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19850813&id=rctaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b1kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6984,2949380 |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |publisher=News.google.com |date=August 13, 1985 |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GsYqFs9iyGcC&pg=PT215&lpg=PT215&dq=testing+television+pilots+shows+dials+magoo&source=bl&ots=-KbRlKH_x4&sig=YZTIQCP_AdKa1I24tRikV1YD2sY&hl=en&ei=HbmNTpW7GoLZ0QGf5dA9&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |publisher=Books.google.com |date= |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref>


⚫
Mr. Magoo helped advertise the [[General Electric]] line of products throughout the 1950s and 1960s,<ref>[http://graphic-design.tjs-labs.com/show-picture?id=1062616508 General Electric advertisement featuring Mr. Magoo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428173629/http://graphic-design.tjs-labs.com/show-picture?id=1062616508 |date=April 28, 2008 }}. ''Life'' Magazine December 14, 1959</ref> sometimes under the name Quincy Magoo.<ref>James A. Cox, ''A Century of Light'', 1979, p. 122, 126</ref> In 2005, Mr. Magoo became the [[Spokesperson|spokesman]] of the optical retail store Sterling Optical. Magoo also was featured in a series of commercials for [[Griesedieck Brothers beer|Stag Beer]] in the 1960s. Also in the 1960s, the Polaner company sold its line of preserves in jars decorated with images of Mr. Magoo which, when empty, could then be used as drinking glasses.
Mr. Magoo's [[catchphrase]] was "Oh Magoo, you've done it again!"


⚫
ASI Entertainment<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asientertainment.com/Dial-Testing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305213241/http://www.asientertainment.com/Dial-Testing.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |publisher=Asientertainment.com |access-date=June 13, 2012 }}</ref> has used Mr. Magoo cartoons to "warm up" audiences when testing television comedy pilots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19850813&id=rctaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6984,2949380 |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |date=August 13, 1985 |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GsYqFs9iyGcC&q=testing+television+pilots+shows+dials+magoo&pg=PT215 |title=Retrieved October 6, 2011 |isbn=9780231078313 |access-date=June 13, 2012|last1=Twitchell |first1=James B. |year=1993 |publisher=Columbia University Press }}</ref>
⚫
Mr. Magoo is an [[alumnus]] of [[Rutgers University]], Class of 1928. The reason behind this is that his creators wanted him to be "a college alumnus who was still fired up with the old school spirit [and they felt] Rutgers was the embodiment of the 'old school tie' in America.".<ref>[http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/timeline/1960a.htm Rutgers timeline] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106145039/http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/timeline/1960a.htm |date=January 6, 2008 }} Rutgers University. Retrieved January 5, 2008.</ref> He was definitely in a fraternity since he would often shout out, "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Rho – Rutgers, Rutgers, Go – Go – Go!"


⚫
Mr. Magoo is an [[alumnus]] of [[Rutgers University]], Class of 1928. The reason behind this is that his creators wanted him to be "a college alumnus who was still fired up with the old school spirit [and they felt] Rutgers was the embodiment of the 'old school tie' in America.".<ref>[http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/timeline/1960a.htm Rutgers timeline] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106145039/http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/timeline/1960a.htm |date=January 6, 2008 }} Rutgers University. Retrieved January 5, 2008.</ref> He was definitely in a fraternity, since he would often shout out, "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Rho – Rutgers, Rutgers, Go – Go – Go!"
A new ''Mr. Magoo'' TV series was announced by [[Xilam]] in partnership with [[DreamWorks Animation]]; the new series is adapted by [[Olivier Jean-Marie]] and directed by [[Hugo Gittard]].<ref>https://www.c21media.net/mr-magoo-returns-in-france/</ref>

In 2012, Mr. Magoo appeared in [[MetLife]]'s "Everyone" commercial during [[Super Bowl XLVI]].

Another television series, simply titled ''[[Mr. Magoo (TV series)|Mr. Magoo]]'', began airing in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sicgold.blogspot.com/2018/12/conheca-algumas-estreias-para-dezembro.html|title=Conheça algumas estreias para dezembro de 2018 no canal SIC K (sicgold.blogspot.com)|author=Sobre Miguel}}</ref> Produced by the company [[Xilam]], this series depicts a younger looking Magoo and his pet dog named Mr. Cat (because it meows), who replaces McBarker, the dog depicted in earlier cartoons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.c21media.net/mr-magoo-returns-in-france/ |title=Mr Magoo returns in France {{!}} News {{!}} C21Media |website=www.c21media.net}}</ref> An antagonist is added in the form of a hamster named Fizz and his human assistant named Weasel.


==Characters==
==Characters==
* '''Mr. Magoo''' (voiced by [[Jim Backus]])&nbsp;– An elderly man whose eyesight is failing, though he either does not know it or is too stubborn to do anything about it.
* '''Mr. Quincy Magoo''' (voiced by [[Jim Backus]])&nbsp;– An elderly man whose eyesight is failing, although he either does not know it or is too stubborn to admit it and/or do anything about it.
* '''Waldo''' (voiced by [[Jerry Hausner]] from 1949 to 1955 and in the 1960s series, [[Casey Kasem]] in the 1970s series, and [[Daws Butler]] on the 1957 record and from 1956–1959)&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's nephew.
* '''Waldo''' (voiced by [[Jerry Hausner]] from 1949 to 1955 and in the 1960s series, [[Daws Butler]] from 1956 to 1959 and on the 1957 record album ''Magoo in Hi-Fi'', and [[Casey Kasem]] in the 1970s series) – Mr. Magoo's nephew.
* '''McBarker''' (voiced by [[Frank Welker]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's dog, in the 1970s cartoon series, ''What's New, Mr. Magoo?'' A talking [[bulldog]], he shares his owner's facial features and poor eyesight.
* '''Bowser'''&nbsp;- Mr. Magoo's dog (actually a [[Siamese cat]]) in the 1960s cartoons.
* '''McBarker''' (voiced by [[Bob Ogle]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's dog in the 1970s cartoon series ''What's New, Mr. Magoo?'' A talking white [[Bulldog]], he shares his owner's facial features and poor eyesight.
* '''Mother Magoo''' (voiced first by [[Henny Backus]] in "Meet Mother Magoo" (1956), then [[June Foray]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's "Momma", Linda.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joshpshapiro.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/a_quicny_magoo_biography.pdf |title=A Mr. Magoo Biography by Josh and Ed Shapiro |format=PDF |date= |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref>
* '''Mother Magoo''' (voiced first by [[Henny Backus]] in "Meet Mother Magoo" (1956), then [[June Foray]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's "Momma", Linda.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joshpshapiro.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/a_quicny_magoo_biography.pdf |title=A Mr. Magoo Biography by Josh and Ed Shapiro |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref>
⚫
* '''Grandma "Granny" Magoo'''.
* '''Charlie''' (Voiced By [[Benny Rubin]])— Mr. Magoo's [[houseboy]]. Charlie's depiction as an Asian stereotype was controversial. The character was prone to unusual misuses of English, such as referring to himself in the third person as "Cholley", and calling Mr. Magoo "Bloss" instead of "Boss". In the late 1960s, episodes featuring Charlie were dropped from the series and his character was never mentioned again. A version of the series that runs on the Christian network [[Kids & Teens TV|KTV]] retains Charlie, but dubs over his ethnic-sounding voice track.
* '''Charlie''' (voiced by [[Benny Rubin]]) – Mr. Magoo's [[houseboy]]. Charlie's depiction as an Asian stereotype was controversial. The character was prone to unusual misuses of English, such as referring to himself in the third person as "Cholly", and calling Mr. Magoo "Missuh Magloo" and "Bloss" instead of "Boss". In the late 1960s, episodes featuring Charlie were dropped from the series and his character was never seen, referred to or even mentioned again. A version of the series that runs on the Christian network [[Kids & Teens TV|KTV]] retains Charlie, but dubs over his ethnic-sounding voice track.
⚫
* '''Grandma "Granny" Magoo'''
* '''Presley''' (voiced by [[Daws Butler]])&nbsp;– Waldo's "partner in crime" in the 1960 cartoon.
* '''Prezly''' (voiced by [[Daws Butler]])&nbsp;– Waldo's "partner in crime" in the 1960s cartoons.
* '''Bowzir'''&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's dog (really a [[Siamese cat]]).
* '''Wheeler and Dealer'''&nbsp;– Two children Mr. Magoo occasionally babysits in ''The Mister Magoo Show'' (1960–1961).
* '''Wheeler and Dealer'''&nbsp;– Two children Mr. Magoo occasionally babysits in ''The Mr. Magoo Show'' (1960–1962)
* '''Tycoon Magoo''' (voiced by [[Mel Blanc]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's rich uncle. His catchphrase is "Worcestershire, get in here!"
* '''Tycoon Magoo''' (voiced by [[Mel Blanc]])&nbsp;– Mr. Magoo's rich uncle. His catchphrase is "Worcestershire, get in here!"
* '''Worcestershire''' (voiced by Mel Blanc)&nbsp;– Tycoon Magoo's butler who is always trying to prevent Mr. Magoo from ruining Tycoon Magoo's property.
* '''Worcestershire''' (voiced by Mel Blanc)&nbsp;– Tycoon Magoo's butler, who is always trying to prevent Mr. Magoo from ruining Tycoon Magoo's property.
* Additional character voices were provided by [[Paul Frees]]
* Additional character voices were provided by [[Paul Frees]], [[Frank Nelson (actor)|Frank Nelson]] and [[Mel Blanc]], among others.


==Theatrical cartoon shorts==
==Theatrical cartoon shorts==
:''For a complete list of theatrical Mr. Magoo cartoons, see [[List of Mr. Magoo cartoons]]''
{{main|List of Mr. Magoo cartoons}}
The following Mr. Magoo cartoons were either nominees for or recipients of the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film|Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons)]]:
The following Mr. Magoo cartoons were either nominees for, or recipients of, the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film|Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons)]]:
*1950: ''Trouble Indemnity''
*1950: "Trouble Indemnity"
⚫
*1952: "Pink and Blue Blues"
*1950: ''Bathtub Horn''
*1954: "When Magoo Flew" (winner)
⚫
*1952: ''Pink and Blue Blues''
*1954: ''When Magoo Flew'' (winner)
*1956: "Magoo's Puddle Jumper" (winner)
*1956: ''Magoo's Puddle Jumper'' (winner)


==DVD releases==
==Home media==
On February 8, 2005 [[Sony Wonder]] (under license from Classic Media) released ''The Mr. Magoo Show: The Complete Collection''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006IIOIG |title=Mr. Magoo Show: The Complete Collection: Jim Backus, Joan Gardner, Marvin Miller, Paul Frees, Dal McKennon, Howard Morris, Julie Bennett, Everett Sloane, Shepard Menken, Robie Lester, Morey Amsterdam, Dick Beals: Movies & TV |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> This four-disc set featured all 26 episodes of the series as well as bonus features. This release has been discontinued and is now out of print.
On February 8, 2005, [[Sony BMG Music Entertainment]]’s former kids and family entertainment division, [[Sony Wonder]] (under license from [[Classic Media]]) released ''The Mr. Magoo Show: Complete DVD Collection''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006IIOIG |title=Mr. Magoo Show: The Complete Collection: Jim Backus, Joan Gardner, Marvin Miller, Paul Frees, Dal McKennon, Howard Morris, Julie Bennett, Everett Sloane, Shepard Menken, Robie Lester, Morey Amsterdam, Dick Beals: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> This four-disc set featured all 26 uncut episodes of the 1960 series, digitally remastered from original film prints and presented in its original broadcast presentation and order, as well as bonus features. This release has been discontinued and is now out of print.


On November 8, 2011, [[Shout! Factory]] (under license from Classic Media) released ''Mr. Magoo: The Television Collection 1960–1977'' on DVD in Region 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mr-Magoo-Mr-Magoo-on-TV-Collection/15782 |title=Mr. Magoo DVD news: Box Art and Contents for Mr. Magoo on TV Collection: 1960–1977 |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com |date= |access-date=June 13, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020094008/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mr-Magoo-Mr-Magoo-on-TV-Collection/15782 |archivedate=October 20, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> This 11-disc collection contains all episodes from all three Mr. Magoo television series including all 26 episodes of ''The Mister Magoo Show'', all 26 episodes of ''The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo'', all 16 episodes of ''What's New Mister Magoo?'', and the prime-time TV special ''Uncle Sam Magoo'' as well as several bonus features.
On November 8, 2011, [[Shout! Factory]] (under license from Classic Media) released ''Mr. Magoo: The Television Collection 1960–1977'' on DVD in Region 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mr-Magoo-Mr-Magoo-on-TV-Collection/15782 |title=Mr. Magoo DVD news: Box Art and Contents for Mr. Magoo on TV Collection: 1960–1977 |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com |access-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020094008/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mr-Magoo-Mr-Magoo-on-TV-Collection/15782 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> This 11-disc collection contains all the episodes from all three Mr. Magoo television series, including all 26 episodes of ''The Mister Magoo Show'', all 26 episodes of ''The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo'', all 16 episodes of ''What's New, Mister Magoo?'', and the prime-time TV special ''Uncle Sam Magoo'', as well as several bonus features.


On December 6, 2011, Sony released the feature ''1001 Arabian Nights'' on DVD through their Screen Classics manufactured-on-demand (MOD) program, now available through a licensing deal through the [[Warner Archive Collection]].
On December 6, 2011, Sony released the feature film ''1001 Arabian Nights'' on DVD through their Screen Classics manufactured-on-demand (MOD) program, now available through a licensing deal through the [[Warner Archive Collection]].


In 2011, animation historian [[Jerry Beck]] announced the release of a Shout! Factory boxed set of the Mr. Magoo theatrical (UPA) shorts, under license from Sony.<ref name="STUEP272">Shostak, Stu (08-11-2011). "[http://www.stusshow.com/archives.php Interview with Jerry Beck]". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 06-30-2014.</ref> Originally scheduled for release in 2012, the set was pushed back for two years as Sony remastered some of the cartoons from higher quality sources, including newly discovered elements.<ref name="STUEP314">Shostak, Stu (03-20-2014). "[http://www.stusshow.com/archives.php Interview with Jerry Beck]". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 06-30-2014.</ref> The four-disc ''Mr. Magoo Theatrical Collection'', containing all Mr. Magoo theatrical shorts and ''1001 Arabian Nights'', was released on April 22, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/53161/mr-magoo-the-theatrical-collection/ | title=Review of "'Mr. Magoo- The Theatrical Collection: 1949–1959" | work=DVD Talk | date=22 April 2014 | access-date=30 June 2014 | author=Galbraith, Stewart IV}}</ref>
In 2011, animation historian [[Jerry Beck]] announced the release of a Shout! Factory boxed set of the Mr. Magoo theatrical (UPA) shorts, under license from Sony.<ref name="STUEP272">Shostak, Stu (08-11-2011). "[http://www.stusshow.com/archives.php Interview with Jerry Beck]". ''Stu's Show''. Retrieved 06-30-2014.</ref> Originally scheduled for release in 2012, the set was pushed back for two years as Sony remastered some of the cartoons from higher quality sources, including newly discovered elements.<ref name="STUEP314">Shostak, Stu (03-20-2014). "[http://www.stusshow.com/archives.php Interview with Jerry Beck]". ''Stu's Show.'' Retrieved 06-30-2014.</ref> The four-disc ''Mr. Magoo Theatrical Collection'', containing all 53 of the Mr. Magoo theatrical shorts distributed by Columbia through 1959, and the 1959 theatrical film ''1001 Arabian Nights'', was released on April 22, 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/53161/mr-magoo-the-theatrical-collection/ | title=Review of "'Mr. Magoo- The Theatrical Collection: 1949–1959" | work=DVD Talk | date=22 April 2014 | access-date=30 June 2014 | author=Galbraith, Stewart IV}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1044551|Mr. Magoo}}
* {{IMDb title|1044551|Mr. Magoo}}
* {{IMDb title|0415462|What's New, Mr. Magoo?}}
* {{IMDb title|0415462|What's New, Mr. Magoo?}}
* {{bcdb|Other_Studios/D/DePatie-Freleng_Enterprises/What_s_New__Mister_Magoo_/index.html|What's New, Mr. Magoo?}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051027181601/http://www.upapix.com/ UPA: Mavericks, Magic, and Magoo]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051027181601/http://www.upapix.com/ UPA: Mavericks, Magic, and Magoo]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/magoo.htm Mr. Magoo] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://www.webcitation.org/6fujEZgdy Archived] from the original on March 10, 2016.
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/magoo.htm Mr. Magoo] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://www.webcitation.org/6fujEZgdy?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/magoo.htm Archived] from the original on March 10, 2016.
{{Mr. Magoo|state=expanded}}
{{Mr. Magoo|state=expanded}}
{{Children's programming on CBS in the 1970s}}
{{Children's programming on CBS in the 1970s}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Magoo, Mister}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Magoo, Mister}}
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1949]]
[[Category:Mr. Magoo| ]]
[[Category:Animated characters introduced in 1949]]
[[Category:Film characters introduced in 1949]]
[[Category:Film series introduced in 1949]]
[[Category:Film series introduced in 1949]]
[[Category:Animated human characters]]
[[Category:Animated human characters]]
[[Category:Mr. Magoo| ]]
[[Category:Animated film series]]
[[Category:Animated film series]]
[[Category:1960s American animated television series]]
[[Category:DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]]
[[Category:Television series by DePatie–Freleng Enterprises]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Classics]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Classics]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with diseases of the eye and adnexa]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with disabilities]]
[[Category:Male characters in animation]]

Latest revision as of 04:31, 15 November 2024

For the TV series, see Mister Magoo. For the 2019 French TV series, see Mr. Magoo (TV series). For the film, see Mr. Magoo (film).

Mr. Magoo
Mr. Magoo and McBarker from
What's New, Mr. Magoo?
First appearance"The Ragtime Bear" (1949)
Created by
Adapted by
Portrayed byLeslie Nielsen
Voiced by
In-universe information
Full nameQuincy Magoo
Family
  • Linda (mother)
  • Granny (grandmother)
  • Tycoon (uncle)
  • Waldo (nephew)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materRutgers University

Quincy Magoo, better known as Mr. Magoo, is a fictional cartoon character created at the UPA animation studio in 1949. Voiced by Jim Backus, Mr. Magoo is an elderly, wealthy, short-statured retiree who gets into a series of comical situations as a result of his extreme near-sightedness, compounded by his stubborn refusal to admit the problem. However, through uncanny streaks of luck, the situation always seems to work itself out for him, leaving him no worse than before. Bystanders consequently tend to think that he is a lunatic, rather than just being near-sighted. In later cartoons, he is also an actor, and generally a competent one, except for his visual impairment.

Magoo episodes were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film four times, and received the award twice, for When Magoo Flew (1954) and Magoo's Puddle Jumper (1956).

In 2002, TV Guide ranked Mr. Magoo number 29 on its "50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time" list.[2]

History

[edit]

Mr. Magoo's first appearance was in the theatrical short cartoon "The Ragtime Bear" (1949), scripted by Millard Kaufman. His creation was a collaborative effort; animation director John Hubley is said to have partly based the character on his uncle Harry Woodruff,[3] and W. C. Fields was another source of inspiration.[citation needed] Columbia was reluctant to release the short, but did so, only because it included a bear.[citation needed] However, audiences quickly realized that the real star was Magoo, one of the few "human" cartoon characters ever produced in Hollywood at the time.[citation needed] The short became a box-office success.

The Magoo character was originally conceived as a mean-spirited reactionary.[4] Hubley, who had created Magoo, handed the series completely over to creative director Pete Burness. Under Burness, Magoo won two Academy Awards for the studio with When Magoo Flew (1954) and Magoo's Puddle Jumper (1956).[5] Burness scrubbed Magoo of his meanness and left only a few strange comments that made him appear senile or somewhat mad. At the same time, art director Sterling Sturtevant redesigned the character's appearance.[6] Magoo was frequently accompanied in his on-screen escapades with his nephew Waldo, voiced at various times by either Jerry Hausner or Daws Butler.

In 1957, the record album Magoo in Hi-Fi was released. Side 1 consisted of a dialogue between Magoo and Waldo taking place while Magoo was attempting to set up his new sound system. Music on the album was composed and conducted by Dennis Farnon and his orchestra. Side 2, "The Mother Magoo Suite", was a series of musical pieces which included two solos by Marni Nixon.

In 1959, Mr. Magoo starred in 1001 Arabian Nights, directed by Jack Kinney, UPA's first feature-length production.[7]

In 1994, a Sega Mega Drive game starring Mr. Magoo was in development and planned to be published by Millennium Interactive but never released.[8]

In 1997, the live-action comedy film Mr. Magoo, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and starring Leslie Nielsen as the title character,[9] was released in December to overwhelmingly negative critical reception.[10]

In 2010, a direct-to-video action-comedy film based on the character, Kung Fu Magoo, was released on DVD on May 11, 2010. It features the voices of Jim Conroy, Chris Parnell, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, and Alyson Stoner.[11] The film is a Mexican–American co-production, produced by Classic Media, Ánima Estudios, and Santo Domingo Films.[12] The film was directed by Andrés Couturier. His most recent appearance was in DreamWorks Animation's The Boss Baby, where he briefly appears on the cover of a comic book.

[edit]

In the 1960s, UPA turned its attention to television and began producing the series Mister Magoo for the character. Because UPA had shut down its animation studio in 1959, the animation for these cartoons was done by Jack Kinney Productions and Larry Harmon Pictures. The cartoons suffered from varying character designs and choppier animation, due to rushed production schedules. Magoo's nephew Waldo (voiced, as in most of the theatrical cartoons, by Jerry Hausner) was seldom seen with his uncle, now appearing in his own episodes, introduced by a brief phone conversation from Magoo's point of view, which acted as a teaser. The Waldo episodes also featured a slick-talking con man named Prezly, and they always ended with a return to Magoo saying, "Oh, that Waldo and Prezly. What'll they be up to next? Hee hee hee!"

Magoo's houseboy Cholly (i.e., "Charlie") took up a lot of Waldo's slack. Cholly was an Asian stereotype with huge buck teeth and fractured English pronunciation.

Still other cartoons featured Tycoon Magoo, voiced by Mel Blanc, and his bumbling assistant Worcestershire.

During the UPA television era came Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol, an abbreviated but largely faithful retelling of Charles Dickens' tale. It was the first ever animated Christmas special made for television and the first hour-long animated TV special and is considered to be a holiday classic of the 1960s, ranking alongside A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!.[13] The special inspired the production of an animated TV series titled The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, which placed Magoo as an actor in other well-known stories. After an introduction in Magoo's backstage dressing room, Magoo was depicted in such roles as The Count of Monte Cristo, Merlin in an upbeat retelling of the story of King Arthur, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood, and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

In 1970, Mr. Magoo starred as Uncle Sam in the TV special Uncle Sam Magoo.

In the late 1970s, Mr. Magoo appeared in a new Saturday morning CBS television series called What's New, Mr. Magoo? This series was made under license by the DePatie–Freleng studio, as UPA had by this time ceased in-house cartoon production.

Mr. Magoo was planned to have a cameo in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but this was dropped for unknown reasons.

Nickelodeon's Weinerville anthologizes most of his shorts.

In 1997, Mr. Magoo was portrayed by Leslie Nielsen in a live-action Mr. Magoo feature film. It failed to find critical or popular success, and some support groups for the disabled, including the National Federation of the Blind, protested it on behalf of the blind and sight-impaired.[14]

A Mexican-U.S. animated feature, Kung-Fu Magoo, was released as a direct-to-DVD release in 2010 and made its TV debut on Disney XD in 2011.

Mr. Magoo helped advertise the General Electric line of products throughout the 1950s and 1960s,[15] sometimes under the name Quincy Magoo.[16] In 2005, Mr. Magoo became the spokesman of the optical retail store Sterling Optical. Magoo also was featured in a series of commercials for Stag Beer in the 1960s. Also in the 1960s, the Polaner company sold its line of preserves in jars decorated with images of Mr. Magoo which, when empty, could then be used as drinking glasses.

ASI Entertainment[17] has used Mr. Magoo cartoons to "warm up" audiences when testing television comedy pilots.[18][19]

Mr. Magoo is an alumnus of Rutgers University, Class of 1928. The reason behind this is that his creators wanted him to be "a college alumnus who was still fired up with the old school spirit [and they felt] Rutgers was the embodiment of the 'old school tie' in America.".[20] He was definitely in a fraternity, since he would often shout out, "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Rho – Rutgers, Rutgers, Go – Go – Go!"

In 2012, Mr. Magoo appeared in MetLife's "Everyone" commercial during Super Bowl XLVI.

Another television series, simply titled Mr. Magoo, began airing in 2018.[21] Produced by the company Xilam, this series depicts a younger looking Magoo and his pet dog named Mr. Cat (because it meows), who replaces McBarker, the dog depicted in earlier cartoons.[22] An antagonist is added in the form of a hamster named Fizz and his human assistant named Weasel.

Characters

[edit]
  • Mr. Quincy Magoo (voiced by Jim Backus) – An elderly man whose eyesight is failing, although he either does not know it or is too stubborn to admit it and/or do anything about it.
  • Waldo (voiced by Jerry Hausner from 1949 to 1955 and in the 1960s series, Daws Butler from 1956 to 1959 and on the 1957 record album Magoo in Hi-Fi, and Casey Kasem in the 1970s series) – Mr. Magoo's nephew.
  • Bowser - Mr. Magoo's dog (actually a Siamese cat) in the 1960s cartoons.
  • McBarker (voiced by Bob Ogle) – Mr. Magoo's dog in the 1970s cartoon series What's New, Mr. Magoo? A talking white Bulldog, he shares his owner's facial features and poor eyesight.
  • Mother Magoo (voiced first by Henny Backus in "Meet Mother Magoo" (1956), then June Foray) – Mr. Magoo's "Momma", Linda.[23]
  • Grandma "Granny" Magoo.
  • Charlie (voiced by Benny Rubin) – Mr. Magoo's houseboy. Charlie's depiction as an Asian stereotype was controversial. The character was prone to unusual misuses of English, such as referring to himself in the third person as "Cholly", and calling Mr. Magoo "Missuh Magloo" and "Bloss" instead of "Boss". In the late 1960s, episodes featuring Charlie were dropped from the series and his character was never seen, referred to or even mentioned again. A version of the series that runs on the Christian network KTV retains Charlie, but dubs over his ethnic-sounding voice track.
  • Prezly (voiced by Daws Butler) – Waldo's "partner in crime" in the 1960s cartoons.
  • Wheeler and Dealer – Two children Mr. Magoo occasionally babysits in The Mister Magoo Show (1960–1961).
  • Tycoon Magoo (voiced by Mel Blanc) – Mr. Magoo's rich uncle. His catchphrase is "Worcestershire, get in here!"
  • Worcestershire (voiced by Mel Blanc) – Tycoon Magoo's butler, who is always trying to prevent Mr. Magoo from ruining Tycoon Magoo's property.
  • Additional character voices were provided by Paul Frees, Frank Nelson and Mel Blanc, among others.

Theatrical cartoon shorts

[edit]
Main article: List of Mr. Magoo cartoons

The following Mr. Magoo cartoons were either nominees for, or recipients of, the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons):

  • 1950: "Trouble Indemnity"
  • 1952: "Pink and Blue Blues"
  • 1954: "When Magoo Flew" (winner)
  • 1956: "Magoo's Puddle Jumper" (winner)

Home media

[edit]

On February 8, 2005, Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s former kids and family entertainment division, Sony Wonder (under license from Classic Media) released The Mr. Magoo Show: Complete DVD Collection.[24] This four-disc set featured all 26 uncut episodes of the 1960 series, digitally remastered from original film prints and presented in its original broadcast presentation and order, as well as bonus features. This release has been discontinued and is now out of print.

On November 8, 2011, Shout! Factory (under license from Classic Media) released Mr. Magoo: The Television Collection 1960–1977 on DVD in Region 1.[25] This 11-disc collection contains all the episodes from all three Mr. Magoo television series, including all 26 episodes of The Mister Magoo Show, all 26 episodes of The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, all 16 episodes of What's New, Mister Magoo?, and the prime-time TV special Uncle Sam Magoo, as well as several bonus features.

On December 6, 2011, Sony released the feature film 1001 Arabian Nights on DVD through their Screen Classics manufactured-on-demand (MOD) program, now available through a licensing deal through the Warner Archive Collection.

In 2011, animation historian Jerry Beck announced the release of a Shout! Factory boxed set of the Mr. Magoo theatrical (UPA) shorts, under license from Sony.[26] Originally scheduled for release in 2012, the set was pushed back for two years as Sony remastered some of the cartoons from higher quality sources, including newly discovered elements.[27] The four-disc Mr. Magoo Theatrical Collection, containing all 53 of the Mr. Magoo theatrical shorts distributed by Columbia through 1959, and the 1959 theatrical film 1001 Arabian Nights, was released on April 22, 2014.[28]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Barnes, Mike (June 8, 2016). "Willis Pyle, Famed Animator on 'Pinocchio' and 'Mr. Magoo,' Dies at 101". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  2. ^ TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. 2007. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-7624-3007-9.
  3. ^ Letter from Hubley. Kaufman claimed in a 2007 interview that the character was based on his uncle.
  4. ^ Arnold, Mark (2015). Think Pink: The Story of DePatie-Freleng. BearManor Media. p. 441. ISBN 978-1593931698.
  5. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  6. ^ Abraham, Adam (2012). When Magoo Flew: The Rise And Fall Of Animation Studio UPA, Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 978-0819569141. Retrieved 28 Aug 2022.
  7. ^ Maltin, Leonard (1987). Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons. New American Library. p. 341. ISBN 0-452-25993-2.
  8. ^ "GameSpy - PreViews: Mr Magoo". Mega Zone. No. 36. Elwood, Vic.: Megazone Publications. February 1994. p. 15.
  9. ^ "'Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "Mr. Magoo (film)". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  11. ^ DeMott, Rick (October 12, 2010). "Disney XD Picks Up 'Kung Fu Magoo' Feature". Animation World Network. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  12. ^ O'Boyle, Michael (February 12, 2008). "Anima, Classic to do 'Magoo'". Variety. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  13. ^ Hill, Jim (November 28, 2006). "Scrooge U: Part VI – Magoo's a musical miser". JimHillMedia.com. Retrieved December 25, 2006.
  14. ^ Anderson, John (December 24, 1997). "'Mr. Magoo' Blunders Into Live-Action". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  15. ^ General Electric advertisement featuring Mr. Magoo Archived April 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Life Magazine December 14, 1959
  16. ^ James A. Cox, A Century of Light, 1979, p. 122, 126
  17. ^ "Retrieved October 6, 2011". Asientertainment.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  18. ^ "Retrieved October 6, 2011". August 13, 1985. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  19. ^ Twitchell, James B. (1993). Retrieved October 6, 2011. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231078313. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  20. ^ Rutgers timeline Archived January 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Rutgers University. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  21. ^ Sobre Miguel. "Conheça algumas estreias para dezembro de 2018 no canal SIC K (sicgold.blogspot.com)".
  22. ^ "Mr Magoo returns in France | News | C21Media". www.c21media.net.
  23. ^ "A Mr. Magoo Biography by Josh and Ed Shapiro" (PDF). Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  24. ^ "Mr. Magoo Show: The Complete Collection: Jim Backus, Joan Gardner, Marvin Miller, Paul Frees, Dal McKennon, Howard Morris, Julie Bennett, Everett Sloane, Shepard Menken, Robie Lester, Morey Amsterdam, Dick Beals: Movies & TV". Amazon. February 8, 2005. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  25. ^ "Mr. Magoo DVD news: Box Art and Contents for Mr. Magoo on TV Collection: 1960–1977". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  26. ^ Shostak, Stu (08-11-2011). "Interview with Jerry Beck". Stu's Show. Retrieved 06-30-2014.
  27. ^ Shostak, Stu (03-20-2014). "Interview with Jerry Beck". Stu's Show. Retrieved 06-30-2014.
  28. ^ Galbraith, Stewart IV (April 22, 2014). "Review of "'Mr. Magoo- The Theatrical Collection: 1949–1959"". DVD Talk. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mr._Magoo&oldid=1257490638"