In class we watched the transformation of Felix the Cat from the 20s til the 50′s. But I am struck by the amazing similarities between 50s Felix and late 80s/early 90s Felix. As a child I watched that movie religiously, and the minute that song came on, in the 50s version, I knew what to look for. They have the same bag, similar voices and character behaviors. They even have similar goals. The professor in the  feature length film chases Felix through an entire other world to get his bag of tricks in the more recent Felix, just as the professor chases Felix through oceans and labs to get at his bag of tricks in the 50s Felix. However, it is their voice similarity that stuns me. Felix has the same laugh, the professor has the same angry gesticulations. Also, the movie of the 80s sticks with the theme of science from the 50s.

1950s Felix

1980s/1990s Felix

Check out those bags, listen to those voices (36 seconds for the first one and 6:40 for the second shows a good comparison of bags). These bags serve an almost identical purpose which led me to wonder why there were almost zero changes to character design, behavior, and accessories. After a little research, I realized they were both created, worked on, produced, an so on  by Joe Oriolo.

According to this site Felix underwent his major changes from 20s Felix to 50s/80s/90s Felix because of Joe Oriolo. I think it is safe to safe Oriolo is largely responsible for the Felix boom. Suddenly Felix clock faces, Felix dolls, and Felix jewelry came into popularity. Even as recent as 2004 Felix was in popular demand. My only gripe with Felix, is that he is essentially a one-trick pony. When he gets in a jam he’s going to say something incredibly cliche then whip out hisbag to do a magic trick. However, as long as the tricks stay fresh, the gag stays fresh. Oriolo took a pessimistic Felix and turned him into a magic bag carrying, scientist eluding, marketable character.

I commented here and here

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