Amid Amidi recently wrote a great post entitled 'The rise and fall of the funny, sexy cartoon woman'. It brings up a lot of great points, read the article before reading further.
Some characters are pure sexy characters, like Red Hot Riding Hood.
Then there's ones that are funny and sexy, which is perhaps my favorite combination, like Coal Black and Betty Boop!
While others are pure funny, such as Olive Oyl, who I think is the best female character ever invented. She's completely unique, in her design, movement, acting and voice but still distinctly female.
I always thought this was true of Missy Piggy from 'The Muppet Show'. Her personality is indivisible from her gender. There's no way her personality would work for a male character. Maybe I'm getting off topic, since Miss Piggy is about as far away from a sexy cartoon woman as you can get.
Someone in the comment section of the article wondered why there were only sexy women in golden age animation, no sexy fellas.
I think the reason there weren't a lot men made out to be drop dead gorgeous was because animation was largely a male field. Male directors and animators led the industry and their tastes and sense of humor were what made it onto screen. Like they say, these were cartoons for dads and sons.
Some girls say Disney is now actively trying to appeal to the female demographic. Disney recently market tested a group of women to try and create the most handsome character possible for 'Tangled'. Apparently, this is what the ladies want:
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| And is it me or does Flynn Rider sound a lot like a porn name? |
Who doesn't love Sody Pop?
Manliest artist alive Jim Smith drew a genuine sexy Spumco girl for me!
As a matter of fact, I've drawn my fair share of cartoon girls myself:
Eddie Fitzgerald wrote an interesting post a while ago asking the profound question 'What is a Girl?' (Make sure you read it!). He explains that he's sick of Tex Avery sexpots and prefers funny women like the ones Don Martin and Milt Gross drew, which are really men in wigs and dresses.
I think the makers of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' were going for sexy but buttered the face of Jessica Rabbit and inadvertantly made her look like a transvestite.
Like I said, funny women are better than sexy. Battle axes like Beakys Hungarian mother are funny. Ma Bear from Jones' Thee Bears cartoons is funny in her dry, deadpan, understatement and of course the incredible character of the man-crazed Widow from 'Eatin' On The Cuff'
It gets even funnier when they try to be sexy; Ma Bear lusting after Bugs is great.
The Widow Spider as Veronica Lake is genius!! She looks astoundingly sensual.
and then...
Her nose pops out!
Hysterical I say, hysterical! What a schnoz!
Handsome men are good for a laugh, as if the cartoonists are asking 'Can you believe women like this stuff?'
And of course there's Lust. Lust has been a cartoon staple for a long time, it makes for great schtick. Tex Avery famously made whole cartoons around lust.
Of course, if you're looking for sexy, funny women who aren't cartoons, may I present for your viewing pleasure; Ms. Madeline Kahn!!!
