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| Otto Messmer, Creator Of Felix The Cat; Oh, God! Another GP soapbox!! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 3 2008, 05:10 PM (373 Views) | |
| Greypilgrim | Jan 3 2008, 05:10 PM Post #1 |
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"Zarkov to Flash Gordon....Come in Flash!"
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Sometimes there are things you just have to let off your chest. This is about a very shy person--an unsung pioneer in cartooning/animation who got short-sheeted a long time ago, but finally got the attention that he justly deserved.......if only from me. (And NO, I'm not saying that to get pats on the back, I know anyone of YOU would've done the same thing!!) This is a memory of my meeting a person that I NEVER thought in my wildest dreams that I would EVER meet. Many moons ago, when I was going to art school in New Jersey, we students heard of an animation festival that was being held in New York, just across the Hudson. A bunch of us went because we were just curious to what they were going to present. Little did I know what I would find there. Two hours of various animation samples were shown from early silent animations to present day (at that time) global animations. Different styles, different views, different ways to create life on the screen in ink--b/w and in color. Stop action, claymation, silhouttes, anime, rotoscopes, limited animation (Clutch Cargo and such), and just plain good old "Ah-murr-i-cain" cartoons. :lol: Among those American cartoons were three Felix the Cat cartoons. They were "wordless"(meaning no speech, but there was a high-pitched squeaking sound from the characters), but with musical background. So they were semi-silent toons. I grew up with Felix toons on TV in the 50's and 60's, and in the comics. He was always a favorite of mine. Felix was the first character that I learned to draw very well--even if I wasjust copying in those early days. It was that which led me on to a life of drawing and creating characters of my own. But I digress...as usual. After the Felix toons were shown, the lights came on and the "Master of Ceremonies" came out and made a quick speech about the Felix toons. Imagine my surprise when he announced that the CREATOR of Felix the Cat was in the audience...Otto Messmer, himself!! The biggest shock of all was when I discovered at that moment that my seat was RIGHT BEHIND HIS!!!
The man was in his mid-80's, somewhat infirmed, so his lovely wife had to help him to his feet so he could wave to the fans and take a bow. He received a standing ovation for over five minutes. When everyone sat again, the show continued for another half hour. After the show, everyone pretty much cleared out and never came up to Otto and his wife to say anything, as if they had never existed. I was in shock. That wasn't right!! :angry: My friends started to leave and I told them I'd catch up. I went around to the row in front of Otto and introduced myself. I told him everything about what I knew about his creation and what Felix meant to me that I had bottled up inside. His wife smiled charmingly, and he chuckled, very amused at my enthusiasm (he told me so, that's how I know ). I asked him for an autograph (which I still have and cherish dearly) and he asked me for my name and address and said he would send me something through the mail. I knew it probably never would happen (and it didn't, but that was okay). I still wrote the information on a piece of paper and gave it to his wife, who stuffed it in her purse. We shook hands, his wife hugged me and whispered, "Bless you." in my ear which surprised me some, but then I understood, when I realised that only I was the ONLY one who had taken the time to talk to him about Felix, and somehow made his night worthwhile that SOMEone appreciated him and his creation. Yeah, I felt special. But I didn't think I did anything amazing. I was just being a fan-boy. They thought it was great that someone took the time to say thanks. I felt great just to shake the man's hand. Maybe I made his night, maybe not, but I KNOW, he really made my night special for having met him. This was in early ' 77. Otto passed on in late ' 83. I read about it in the paper, and I cried. One of my childhood heroes was gone. But at least I had a chance to meet him and let him know how I felt. There's not many times anyone can do that in life. Otto Messmer was grateful, but I was the lucky one. I had a dream come true. For more information on Otto Messmer, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Messmer You'll be glad you did. And that's ALL I got to say about that.
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| Inspector Carr | Jan 4 2008, 03:36 AM Post #2 |
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Charter Member
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Kudos to you GP......It is always a wonderful experience when you meet an artist or someone who you looked up to in person and it does not disapoint you... besides that moment when you gave your personal thanks after a gathering like that probably mean't more to him than the standing ovation..... one thing plagues me though.....are you softening up in your golden years.....I originally was looking forward to a rant but instead came away with a big lump in my throat.....
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| "Life is a Crapshoot however you need a pair of dice to participate" | |
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| Greypilgrim | Jan 4 2008, 04:58 AM Post #3 |
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"Zarkov to Flash Gordon....Come in Flash!"
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There are three things that I'll soapbox for.... Something that I see as an injustice, whether to myself or someone else. A memory that I wish to share. Or to give kudos to an unsung or forgotten pioneer of any entertainment media who should be remembered for their contributions. And there ARE the times when all three seem to blend together.....THAT'S when the crotchety old bastiche comes out. But I do have my tender moments. |
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| Inspector Carr | Jan 4 2008, 04:16 PM Post #4 |
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Charter Member
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I see.....A Dr Grood Moment.....
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| "Life is a Crapshoot however you need a pair of dice to participate" | |
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| The Batman | Jan 4 2008, 04:33 PM Post #5 |
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Charter Member
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Great story, GP. (No punchline, just my kudos, as well) |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
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| Greypilgrim | Jan 5 2008, 01:55 AM Post #6 |
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"Zarkov to Flash Gordon....Come in Flash!"
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I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who dropped by to answer and those who just read this thread. It was not my intention to do more than bring attention to a man who seemed to be lost in the cracks of time and bring him to the forefront. People like Otto Messmer, should be remembered and appreciated, for without these pioneers and innovators, our world would be less interesting. Thank you one and all. We WILL do this again sometime. And that's all that I have to say about THAT.
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| Richard Tracy | Jan 26 2008, 02:12 PM Post #7 |
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Balcony Gang
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Glad to hear from another Messmer Felix fan ! Thats a great story about meeting him. I did phone him in the late 1970's, just to tell him I liked his work and appreciated all he had dome for the Felix character. He was polite but not very talkative. Bruce Hamilton and I later discussed doing a video taped interview with him, but the project never got off the ground. I have about 50 silent Felix cartoons and am considering a proect to attempt to find which cartoons were adapted to the comic strip or visa versa.. |
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| thadk | Jan 26 2008, 04:39 PM Post #8 |
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Resident Curmudgeon
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Richard- You were pals with Bruce Hamilton? Great to hear. He published, IMO, the best Disney comic books ever. I was very sad to hear of his passing. Oh and Messmer rules. |
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| Richard Tracy | Jan 26 2008, 05:26 PM Post #9 |
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Balcony Gang
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Bruce was one of the swellest fellows you would ever meet. We shared a lot in common from Dick Tracy to Felix the Cat. When he first turned up all the original art to the Toby Felix Comics he gave me first choice of the stories he was selling. I couldnt afford many, but was thrilled to go thru them all and choose! His Disney comics are still the best! His love and devotion to the Disney characters was shown with every comic he published. When it comes to the most important people in the History of Comics Fandom, you can bet that Bruce is right near the top! |
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| Tom Stathes | Jan 26 2008, 08:00 PM Post #10 |
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Balcony Baby
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Richard, I don't recall off hand but David Gerstein's Felix site located at http://felix.goldenagecartoons.com should be a good help in figuring out which cartoons were adapted to the strips and vice versa. Aside from having done the most extensive research on the cartoons themselves, he also has a wealth of knowledge about Felix's comic adaptations. |
| My Early Animation Blog | |
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