A (sort of) Animated Valentine's Day

[awitch]

It's February and now that we've had time to recover from the commercialized madness of the winter holidays, it's time for the commercialized madness of Valentine's Day. While the original holiday is said to celebrate two Christian martyrs, Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Temi, the holiday managed to evolve into an expression of romantic love around the 11-12th centuries. I guess it kind of all went downhill in modern times because now it's all about shelling out money for over priced plush bears, chocolate, and cards with the assumption you're going to get lucky.

Well, not to worry because it's the toons to the rescue again. Like the previous animated Halloween and Christmas threads, I now preset the (somewhat) animated Valentine's Day thread. I'll be presenting 14 days of cartoon couples so we can reflect on love, relationships, and marriage. Thanks to youtube's new rules and regulations, most of the relevant video clips have been removed (blasphemy, I know), but at least there is no shortage of images. Everyone is welcome to contribute and feel free to skip the exposition, but when searching for images, if you're not OK with Rule 34, or don't know what Rule 34 is, then you might to check if your content filters are enabled.

 

[awitch]

I'm going to start with Disney's tumultuous and rather adult relationship between Scrooge McDuck and Goldie O'Glit.

In the 1953 comic book "Back to the Klondike" by Carl Barks, Scrooge is looking for gold and meets the music hall singer, Glittering Goldie. He is smitten but things get complicated when Scrooge catches her trying to rob him of his gold, and so he forces her to work on the claim to pay him back.

When Carl Barks retired in 1967, Don Rosa took over and his comic, "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" would expand on the story. The two would fall in love, but would sadly drift apart as Scrooge traveled the world accumulating his fortune while Goldie stayed behind to live alone on the claim. The two would catch up 50 years later.

Scrooge and Goldie in DuckTales

I don't usually care for fan tributes, I like the following video because the artwork from the comics is truly fantastic. Check out the emotion:

$crooge McDuck - Against All Odds - YouTube


Fun Facts:
Scrooge McDuck was inspired by Ebeneezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.
Glittering Goldie was inspired by Kathleen Rockwell.
Scrooge's sister, Hortense, was Donald Duck's mother.
While never depicting anything graphic, the comic strongly implied a sexual relationship.
Osamu Tezuka, considered the father of Japanese anime, was friends with Carl Barks and the art of the Scrooge comics was a strong influence for the anime style.

 

[Zoness]

Interesting stuff as always.

 

[awitch]

14 days isn't much time so maybe I'll put together a few couples from Tiny Toon Adventures, a show featuring teenage derivatives of the Looney Tunes characters. Several of the episodes actually focused on dating, going to the prom, love, and relationships.

In "Prom-ise Her Anything", Buster is anxious about asking Babs to the prom, but only because he doesn't know how to dance. Plucky Duck, on the other hand, is usually offensively forward to his love interest, Shirley McLoon. The first thing he does when they get to the prom, is to remind Shirley that they don't have to stay because his father's car is parked right outside. The hilarious gag is Shirley's reminder that Plucky's father is also parked outside, waiting in the car.

"Buster's Guide to Dating" also provided some half-truth dating tips. Buster is left to wait with Babs' monstrously imposing father while she tries to pick out an outfit for their dinner/movie date. They just leave the rabbit hole (Babs is dressed in the same outfit she's usually portrayed in), and the clock strikes midnight. Buster realizes the movie is over and Babs informs him so is the date and goes back inside. Buster turns to the audience to recommend not dating at all until Babs reappears for a goodnight kiss.

A little more odd is Fifi's character. She's a ~14 year old skunk based on on the lecherous Pepe LePew from Looney Tunes. Not to worry; it's not as bad as you think.

Here is Kath Soucie doing an amazing job singing "Where the Boys Are" in character as Fifi. You'll notice the background singers are the actual voice actors of the other characters from the show.

Tiny Toons Sing! - Where The Boys Are [CD VERSION] - YouTube

Fun Facts:
Shirley was inspired by Melissa Duck, the blond love interest of Daffy Duck and Shirley McLain.
Babs was inspired by Honey Bunny, one of Bugs Bunny's love interests.

 

[awitch]

And speaking of the Looney Tunes...

Going through Daffy Duck's history, we see he has been married multiple times (usually to an overbearing wife), though only one was ever given an official name; Daphne. In other cartoons like "The Scarlet Pumpernickel", Daffy has a girlfriend name Melissa.

In early 2000s, Daffy would star in his own Duck Dodgers series where he would fall in love (or lust) for many female characters such as a lounge singer named Cassiopeia, secret agent Yoshimi, and fellow star ship captain Aurora Soleil. At one point he is even engaged to the Queen of Mars, but is tricked into leaving her at the altar by the Martian Commander (Marvin) because he, too, is in love with the queen.

Fast forward to 2011, and the new Looney Tunes Show gives Daffy a real girlfriend named Tina. I'm a big fan of Tina because she can see what a selfish, weird jerk that Daffy can be, but sees enough potential that she wants to make their relationship a project. The two date frequently on the sitcom format show and, even if only for a few moments at a time, we see Daffy is fully capable of love and caring. At one point, he takes a surprisingly conservative stance by refusing to move in with Tina because they aren't married.

Meanwhile, throughout the series, Porky is lonely and unlucky in love until the end of the second season when he meets Petunia Pig. Since I think there is only 2 seasons, that's the end of the story arc.

Daffy sings about what it's like to be in love.
The Looney Tunes Show Merrie Melodies Giant Robot Love [HD + Correct Lyrics] - YouTube

And then there's Bugs Bunny. We were introduced to the athletic, sexy, Lola Bunny in the movie Space Jam. Despite a bumpy start, Bugs falls hard for Lola and by the end of the movie the two passionately kiss.

In the Looney Tunes Show, Lola is rebooted into a ditzy, rambling, almost-psychotic stalker that Bugs prefers to avoid. Early in the first season, they almost get married, but Lola leaves Bugs at the altar for Pepe LePew, their wedding planner. Later they would get back together again and Pepe appears to be in a happy relationship with Penelope the cat.

The Looney Tunes Show - Merrie Melodies (We are in Love) Bugs and Lola - YouTube

 

[awitch]

Darkwing Duck was quick to fall in love with the Vampire/Witch, Morgana Macawbre. Once a criminal, the power of love convinced her to switch sides and join the Justice Ducks. Half Bride of Frankenstein and half Morticia Adams, she is beautiful but quick to anger. Paired with a narcissistic hero, fun times ensued.

Another cute fan compilation:
Darkwing & Morgana: {Accidentally in Love} - YouTube

Fun facts:
Morgana is voice by Kath Soucie (just like Fifi and Lola Bunny).
Darkwing is voiced by Jim Cummings.
According to an interview with Darkwing creator, Tad Stones, Morgana and Darkwing were going to be married and have more children, in addition to Darkwing's adopted daughter, Gosalyn, possibly in a spinoff show.

 

[awitch]

And now for something completely different.

I won't post the actual link to the video because the lyrics are a bit raunchy and probably not safe for work.

The Ballad of Luigi is actually a song from the new band, Starbomb, which is a collaboration of Egoraptor (Arin Hanson) and Ninja Sex Party. The album contains some very catchy and funny, though rather mature songs about old school video games. If you like "Game Grumps", you'll love this. (I preordered the CD and got an autographed copy! Yessss). The CD made it to number one on iTunes and there was a hilarious promotional campaign on Twitter.

Egoraptor is also an animator and helped turn the tune into a toon. From the Super Mario Brothers world, Luigi tries to tell Princess Peach how he really feels about her but is constantly interrupted by Mario's sexual advances.

To find out who the Princess picks, search for "ballad of luigi starbomb" on youtube. The official video is on Egoraptor's channel.

 

[awitch]

One of the biggest changes in the 2012 reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was to change April O'Niel's character from an adult woman who works as a news reporter to a 16 year old high school student.

This allowed for a story arc involving Donatello having a really big crush on her. For him, it was love at first sight and though he drops hints he quickly backtracks out of fear. I tend to identify with Donnie, having more of a shy/nerdy personality and I remember having a crush on a girl or two at that age.

Throughout the series, Donnie risks life and limb to rescue her.

TMNT 2012 April and Donnie I'd come for you - YouTube

Fun Facts:

Donnie is voiced by Rob Paulsen who was invited to audition after he voiced Raphael in the 1980s version and April is played by Mae Whitman

Donatello's name means "gift given from god"

 

[awitch]

Running out of time for today, but we're half way there.

Animaniacs was able to sneak quite a bit of innuendo past the network censors.
From "What's up Doc?" to "Hellooo, Nurse!", the Warner Brothers would often lust after many female characters. Here's a cute, yet swanky little song from Wakko.

Animaniacs - Hello Nurse - YouTube

 

[MehGuy]

Oh wow, some of these shows take me back..

I loved Loney Tunes, Darking Duck and The Animaniacs. That mouse with the Orson Welles voice was funny too, lol.

I need to rewatch these shows sometimes.. It's probably been a good 15 years..

 

[awitch]

Oh wow, some of these shows take me back..

I don't think I ever left.

I loved Loney Tunes, Darking Duck and The Animaniacs. That mouse with the Orson Welles voice was funny too, lol.

Pinky and the Brain. They have a post coming up.

I need to rewatch these shows sometimes.. It's probably been a good 15 years..

Close to 25 for some of them.

 

[awitch]

In the Pinky and the Brain episode, "The World Can Wait", even the Brain can't escape falling in love when he meets a more simple minded lab mouse named Billie. He fails to win her heart with a gift of a pocket-sized working model of a particle accelerator so he recruits his sidekick, Pinky. In true Cyrano form, she falls for Pinky instead. Unable to save her from genetic experiments in time, Billie also becomes exceedingly intelligent, so Brain goes back to concentrating on his plans for taking over the world because he fears Billie might beat him to it.

Billie would return in other episodes, even having a relationship with Brain's arch-nemesis, Snowball the hamster.

Ouch.


Meanwhile, Pinky falls in love with a horse named Pharfignewton in the episode, "Jockey for Position" in which the Brain tries to win the Kentucky Derby by being the smallest, lightest jockey. But Pharfignewton, a very slow horse (in more ways than one), sees Pinky in danger on the track and when she rushes to save him, she ends up crossing the finish line first.

Pinky calls the Brain intolerant whenever he points out the difference in species.

Things work out well for the mousey-pair in the direct to DVD movie "Wakko's Wish". Brain is made the Prime Minister of the country Warnerstock, and Pinky is appointed the official royal stable mouse so he can be close to his love.

 

[awitch]

While some fans of Teen Titans might want to mention a love interest between Beast Boy and Raven, I thought the romance between Beast Boy and Terra was far more interesting.

Terra is the equivalent of an earth bender; she has telekinetic control over rocks. Initially a friend of the Titans and especially Beast Boy, she practically becomes an honorary member. The Titan's enemy, Slade, exploits Terra's insecurities about her powers and she becomes his apprentice, betraying the Titans and nearly wiping them out.

BB vs Slade / Terra's Betrayal - YouTube

Terra does find redemption when she helps the Titans defeat Slade, but she is turned into a statue in the process. Then, in the series finale, Beast Boy meets up with another girl who looks just like Terra, but she has no recollection of the Titans and it's not determined if the girl really is Terra or not. Unable to get her to remember, Beast Boy determines that if the girl really is Terra, then she does not want to remember and he decides to let her go.

Greg Cipes, who provides the voice for Beast Boy wrote this song:

Beast Boy's Song to Terra - Greg Cipes - YouTube

 

[Zoness]

I LOVE TEEN TITANS.

Wow now I really want to re-watch it.

 

[awitch]

I LOVE TEEN TITANS.

Wow now I really want to re-watch it.

Entire series + the movie is watchable here.
And the reboot, Teen Titans GO!, is watchable here.

While the original series has some fun episodes, there were many that were extremely dark and shocking.

Teen Titans Go! is all fun and silly. How silly?

Team Titans Go! Theme Artful Dodgers Funny Clip song Teen 1080p HD - YouTube

Yeah.

 

[Zoness]

Thanks for the links! I haven't seen Teen Titans GO yet so I will check it out.

 

[awitch]

The little red haired girl never made an appearance in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schultz, but did make several appearances in animated specials. Charlie could never gather enough courage to talk to her.

In "You're In Love, Charlie Brown", Charlie Brown spends the last two days of school, trying to get a chance to talk to the little red haired girl. He never gets the chance, but after a crowd rushes past him to get on the school bus, Charlie Brown is suddenly holding a note that says "I like you, Charlie Brown, Signed the Little Red Haired Girl".

In "It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown", she makes her first appearance and find out her name is Heather. She's the homecoming queen and Charlie Brown is chosen to escort her to the dance.

She would also make an appearance in "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Valentine". Even though Schultz wrote the screen play he indicated they were not canon.

In reality, Schultz dated a former coworker which evolved into a romantic relationship, but when he proposed to her, she declined because she was already engaged to another man.

What's Your Name (Red Haired Girl) - YouTube

From the lyrics to the intro of "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show":

"Let's not go home yet, if we stick around
Maybe that red haired girl will come and dance with Charlie Brown"

 

[awitch]

In the second Ghostbusters movie, Janine Melnitz gets romantically involved with Louis Tully, the financial adviser and lawyer.

In The Real Ghostbusters cartoon series, Janine was very much attracted to Egon Spengler, though he was usually too oblivious, or emotionally stilted to respond in kind. Over the course of the series we learn that Egon does love Janine as well.

In the Extreme Ghostbusters series, paranormal activity has decreased to the point that the ghostbusters disband; I believe Winston becomes a pilot, Ray is a salesman, Peter makes his money selling the rights to the ghostbusters story, and Egon becomes a professor. Janine returns to school after being downsized from her new job and teams up with Egon again as they pass the torch to a new team of ghostbusters.

Here now is the episode "Ragnarok and Roll". A man named Jeremy is so hurt that his girlfriend chose a career over marriage, he tries to bring about the end of the world with the help of demonic forces. The ending is quite moving, especially when we find out that when it looks like the end of the world, Egon is thinking about Janine.

The Real Ghostbusters 203 Ragnarok And Roll - YouTube

Fun facts:
DyTillio was named after a writer for the series, Larry DyTillio.

In the beginning of the episode, Jeremy recites the inscription on the Ring of Doom from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

 

[awitch]

Regular Show is an odd cartoon about two friends, Mordecai and Rigby, a bluejay and raccoon, who work as groundskeepers of a park. The two don't like to work, however, and whenever they slack off, these really strange, supernatural adventures occur.

As the series starts, Mordecai develops a crush on Margaret, a robin who works at a nearby coffee house. The two are good friends through the first two seasons but it turns into a romance by season 3 and 4. Despite the surreal happenings, the show does a great job looking at the uncertainty, anxiety, and awkwardness when a relationship starts to develop. You really cheer for the characters when things work out, and feel bad when they don't. It's all too real for anyone who's been there.

This tribute video comes directly from Cartoon Network.

Mordecai and Margaret Tribute Video | Regular Show | Cartoon Network - YouTube

 

[Gxg (G²)]

14 days isn't much time so maybe I'll put together a few couples from Tiny Toon Adventures, a show featuring teenage derivatives of the Looney Tunes characters. Several of the episodes actually focused on dating, going to the prom, love, and relationships.

In "Prom-ise Her Anything", Buster is anxious about asking Babs to the prom, but only because he doesn't know how to dance. Plucky Duck, on the other hand, is usually offensively forward to his love interest, Shirley McLoon. The first thing he does when they get to the prom, is to remind Shirley that they don't have to stay because his father's car is parked right outside. The hilarious gag is Shirley's reminder that Plucky's father is also parked outside, waiting in the car.

"Buster's Guide to Dating" also provided some half-truth dating tips. Buster is left to wait with Babs' monstrously imposing father while she tries to pick out an outfit for their dinner/movie date. They just leave the rabbit hole (Babs is dressed in the same outfit she's usually portrayed in), and the clock strikes midnight. Buster realizes the movie is over and Babs informs him so is the date and goes back inside. Buster turns to the audience to recommend not dating at all until Babs reappears for a goodnight kiss.

A little more odd is Fifi's character. She's a ~14 year old skunk based on on the lecherous Pepe LePew from Looney Tunes. Not to worry; it's not as bad as you think.

Here is Kath Soucie doing an amazing job singing "Where the Boys Are" in character as Fifi. You'll notice the background singers are the actual voice actors of the other characters from the show.

Tiny Toons Sing! - Where The Boys Are [CD VERSION] - YouTube

Fun Facts:
Shirley was inspired by Melissa Duck, the blond love interest of Daffy Duck and Shirley McLain.
Babs was inspired by Honey Bunny, one of Bugs Bunny's love interests.

Awesome info