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Humphrey the Bear is a cartoon character created by the Walt Disney studio in 1950. He first appeared in the Goofy cartoon Hold That Pose, in which Goofy tried to take his picture. After that he appeared in four classic Donald Duck cartoons: Grin and Bear It, Bearly Asleep, Rugged Bear, and Beezy Bear. Disney gave him his own series in 1955, but only two films resulted (Hooked Bear and In the Bag) before Disney discontinued making theatrical short subjects. When the shorts division closed, Humphrey was the last of only seven Disney characters who had been given a series of their own, starring in cartoons who opened with their own logo (the six other were Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip 'n Dale (counting as one) and Figaro). The Humphrey cartoons have been aptly described by Leonard Maltin as "belly-laugh" shorts, and they feature a broader, wilder style of comedy than the usually cute or coy Disney gags.
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Personality
Humphrey is a big, dumb, opportunistic brown bear who lives in Brownstone National Park. He is constantly trying different ways to cadge food and/or shelter from unsuspecting visitors. Unlike other Disney characters, Humphrey does not speak, but makes inarticulate noises expressing satisfaction, resignation, and anxiety. Those grunts were supplied by Disney staffer Jimmy MacDonald. When stricken by worry or panic, Humphrey runs desperately in place, with his feet seemingly headed in all directions. Humphrey's foil is usually Donald Duck, one of his antagonist; otherwise it is the officious park ranger, voiced by Bill Thompson. The ranger was never identified in the theatrical shorts, but when the films were re-edited into an hour-long Disney TV episode, the ranger now had a name: J. Audubon Woodlore.
Popularity
The films were popular in theaters, and the character was familiar enough to be included in the Mickey Mouse Club credits (Humphrey's holding the trampoline that bounces Mickey Mouse in the air). Humphrey is a V.I.P. member of the Mickey Mouse Club.
Later appearances
Although the series Humphrey starred in enjoyed only a short run, a later generation of Disney artists and directors remembered Humphrey fondly, and cast him in episodes of Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Goof Troop, Mickey Mouse Works, House of Mouse and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Humphrey returned to the screen in three new shorts: Donald's Grizzly Guest and Donald's Fish Fry reunite Humphrey with Donald Duck, and in Hot Tub Humphrey Humphrey is once again in the title role, alongside Ranger Woodlore. Due to adding Humphrey to these Disney programs he became a more current character and can be seen in more disney related merchindise such as watches, cards, pins, t-shirts and posters.
Filmography
Cartoons
- Hold That Pose
- Grin and Bear It
- Bearly Asleep
- Rugged Bear
- Beezy Bear
- Hooked Bear
- In the Bag
- Donald's Grizzly Guest
- Donald's Fish Fry
- Hot Tub Humphrey
- Survival of the Woodchucks
Television
- Donald Duck Presents
- Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
- Goof Troop
- Mickey Mouse Works
- House Of Mouse
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Movies
- The Ranger of Brownstone
- Mickey's House of Villains
- Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
- Mickey's Christmas Carol
- The Prince and the Pauper
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- The Lion King 1 1/2
Popular Culture
Jack Hannah, who directed the 1950s Humphrey shorts, revived the "dumb bear" idea for Walter Lantz's "Fatso Bear" cartoons in 1960 and 1961. It would also seem probable that Hannah was somewhat inspired by Humphrey in his creation of the somewhat smarter Yogi Bear, who lives in Jellystone National Forest, begs, steals, and plays tricks to steal picnic baskets from campers, and is constantly on the lookout for Ranger Smith
External links
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