The Blue Racer

The Blue Racer
The Blue Racer and a Japanese beetle appeared in Blue Racer Blues.
First appearanceSnake in the Gracias (1971) (Tijuana Toads cartoon)
Portrayed byLarry D. Mann
Bob Holt
In-universe information
SpeciesSnake
GenderMale

The Blue Racer is a series of 17 theatrical cartoons produced from 1972 to 1974 created by Friz Freleng and David H. DePatie.[1] The character's first cartoon, Snake in the Gracias, was released theatrically on January 24, 1971.[2]

Production

The cartoons are directed by Art Davis, Gerry Chiniquy, Sid Marcus, Robert McKimson, David Deneen, Bob Balser, Cullen Houghtaling and produced by David H. DePatie and Friz Freleng. The majority of the cartoons were animated at the DePatie-Freleng studio, except for two done overseas: Aches and Snakes at Australia's Filmgraphics studio, and Little Boa Peep at Spain's Pegbar Productions.

Plot

A fast-moving blue snake named the Blue Racer (voiced by Larry D. Mann) tries unsuccessfully to catch a stereotypically-Japanese beetle (voiced by Tom Holland), who is a black belt in karate. Both characters spun off from Tijuana Toads in "Hop and Chop" (the Japanese beetle) and "Snake in the Gracias" (the Blue Racer). The goofy crane from Tijuana Toads (Crazylegs Crane, who also repeatedly failed to collar the Racer and the Toads himself) also later appeared in the series as well. 17 cartoons were produced.[3]

Production

  • Bob Holt voiced both the Blue Racer and the Japanese Beetle in the 1972 short Support Your Local Serpent.
  • The Japanese Beetle's last appearance was in the 1972 short Blue Racer Blues.

Filmography

All cartoons were written by John W. Dunn.

No. Title Directed by: Released:
1 Hiss and Hers Gerry Chiniquy July 3, 1972
2 Support Your Local Serpent Art Davis July 9, 1972
3 Nippon Tuck Gerry Chiniquy July 19, 1972
4 Punch and Judo Art Davis July 23, 1972
5 Love and Hisses Gerry Chiniquy August 3, 1972
6 Camera Bug Art Davis August 6, 1972
7 Yokohama Mama Gerry Chiniquy December 24, 1972
8 Blue Racer Blues Art Davis December 31, 1972
9 The Boa Friend Gerry Chiniquy February 11, 1973
10 Wham and Eggs Art Davis February 18, 1973
11 Killarney Blarney Gerry Chiniquy May 16, 1973
12 Blue Aces Wild
13 Fowl Play Bob McKimson June 1, 1973
14 Freeze a Jolly Good Fellow Sid Marcus
15 Snake Preview Cullen Houghtaling August 10, 1973
16 Aches and Snakes David Deneen
17 Little Boa Peep Bob Balser January 16, 1974

Other appearances

The Blue Racer (or a snake looking just like him) appeared in the 1978 Pink Panther cartoon Pinktails for Two where he mistook the Panther's pink tail for a lady snake. In this film, the Blue Racer did not speak or move with super-speed.

Home video

All 17 shorts were available on DVD and Blu-ray on May 30, 2017 from Kino Lorber (through their deal with MGM Home Entertainment). Extras included were audio commentaries and two featurettes.[4]

References

  1. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. ^ Markstein, Don. "The Blue Racer". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  3. ^ Beck, Jerry (2006). Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. ISBN 0-7566-1033-8.
  4. ^ "Blu-ray Forum - View Single Post - Kino Lorber Studio Classics".