Cats are great at lifting up our moods. Whenever you are feeling down in the dumps, there is nothing like a little furry companion on your lap to make you feel better. For the unfortunate individuals who are allergic to kitties, perhaps you have been cheered up by a cartoon cat! Here are some cat drawings that you may be familiar with. Perchance one has a special meaning to you :)
Felix the Cat
He began as a simple cartoon figure, drawn by Otto Messmer in New Jersey. His fame quickly took off, and he became the first cartoon movie star. He has starred in several movies, as well as in a TV series. They soon had products of Felix, ranging from dolls to jewelry. The very first TV broadcast, in 1921, was of Felix the Cat. Since he was black and white and a doll that did not melt in the presence of much heat (due to the lights used at the time), he was easier to broadcast. According to TV Guide, Felix the cat is the 25th most recognizable cartoon character in the world.Garfield
Hey! Garfield likes coffee, too! |
Originally the star of a comic strip started by Jim Davis in the 1970s, Garfield has also been in movies, TV series, and video games. Jim Davis named Garfield after his grandfather. Garfield's interested ranged from eating (his favorite meal was lasagna), sleeping, and terrorizing the dog, Odie. Garfield is the world's most syndicated strip; it appears in over 2,500 newspapers. Garfield's co-stars include his owner, Jon, the dog, Odie, and the veterinarian, Dr. Liz Wilson.
The Cat in the Hat
The Cheshire Cat
Surprising as it may seem, Lewis Carrol did not come up with the idea of the Cheshire Cat, though he popularized it in his novel Alice in Wonderland. The first recording of the use of the phrase "Cheshire Cat" was in A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, published in 1788, describing it as any person who smiles and shows both his teeth and gums. In the novel, Alice in Wonderland, this cat speaks in cryptic riddles and philosophies that confuse Alice. In the movie, the cat is illustrated as a sort of villain, since he often gets Alice into trouble.Hello Kitty
ニャオと鳴いてください! 私は猫です! |
Hobbes
Co-starring with his owner, Calvin, in a comic strip by Bill Watterson, Hobbes is a friendly member of the feline family. He is actually a stuffed tiger, but he comes to life in Calvin's imagination. These two troublemakers go on adventures as well as terrorize many people they meet, especially their neighbor, Suzie. These two characters are named after the famous philosophers, Thomas Hobbes and John Calvin, and they often delve into philosophical topics themselves. Hobbes regularly pounces on Calvin, a six-year-old, to greet him when he gets home from school.The Pink Panther
His first appearance was in the introductory and closing credits of the live-action movies, The Pink Panther, released in the 60s. The cartoon character was so popular that a studio made a cartoon series starring him. In the cartoon, the Pink Panther often harasses a man by painting his blue house, pink. In 1964, the animated short film, The Pink Phink, won the Academy Award for the best animated short film. The character typically remains silent, ever only speaking in two animated shorts.
Hobbes is so much cooler than all the other cats (... although Felix has a Luddite sort of appeal ...)
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