Bosko
Bosko the Talk-Ink Kid
Release date: 1929-05-29
Plot: When animator Hugh Harman sketches Bosko, the mischievous toon literally jumps off the page, introducing himself to the world and causing delightful chaos in the studio.
Name and role: Bosko debuts as an energetic, talkative toon who breaks the fourth wall, banters with his creator, and showcases his singing, dancing, and cheeky personality. He is the prototype for the series' later stars, setting the stage for all the wisecracking, musical characters to come.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko is the very first recurring character created by Harman & Ising for what would become the Looney Tunes series, he appear in many other shorts as main start of the WB animation. The short is famous for being among the earliest instances of combining live-action and animation, and for being one of the first sound-era test cartoons.
Quote: "Mmm! Dat sho' is fine!"
Release date: 1929-05-29
Plot: When animator Hugh Harman sketches Bosko, the mischievous toon literally jumps off the page, introducing himself to the world and causing delightful chaos in the studio.
Name and role: Bosko debuts as an energetic, talkative toon who breaks the fourth wall, banters with his creator, and showcases his singing, dancing, and cheeky personality. He is the prototype for the series' later stars, setting the stage for all the wisecracking, musical characters to come.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko is the very first recurring character created by Harman & Ising for what would become the Looney Tunes series, he appear in many other shorts as main start of the WB animation. The short is famous for being among the earliest instances of combining live-action and animation, and for being one of the first sound-era test cartoons.
Quote: "Mmm! Dat sho' is fine!"
Yodeling Yokels
Release date: 1931-04-17
Plot: Bosko traverses the Alpine landscape to visit Honey. Upon arrival, they joyfully yodel together, embracing the mountainous setting. Their merriment leads them into a series of comedic misadventures, culminating in Honey becoming stranded on an ice floe drifting down a river. Bosko, with the assistance of a Saint Bernard dog, embarks on a daring rescue to save her.
Name and role: The duo of Bosko and Honey is portrayed as a functional couple, there's no endless chase or never-ending quest for affection. They're just happy together, enjoying their adventures, even if those adventures inevitably end in complete disaster.
Trivia and other appearances: As for our two protagonists, they'll still pop up in quite a few shorts over the next couple of years, before their big restyle and the move to MGM. Their final appearance together will be as cameos in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' in 1990 and 'Two-Tone Town' in 1992). As for the St. Bernard, give him a proper farewell, because we're never going to see him again.
Release date: 1931-04-17
Plot: Bosko traverses the Alpine landscape to visit Honey. Upon arrival, they joyfully yodel together, embracing the mountainous setting. Their merriment leads them into a series of comedic misadventures, culminating in Honey becoming stranded on an ice floe drifting down a river. Bosko, with the assistance of a Saint Bernard dog, embarks on a daring rescue to save her.
Name and role: The duo of Bosko and Honey is portrayed as a functional couple, there's no endless chase or never-ending quest for affection. They're just happy together, enjoying their adventures, even if those adventures inevitably end in complete disaster.
Trivia and other appearances: As for our two protagonists, they'll still pop up in quite a few shorts over the next couple of years, before their big restyle and the move to MGM. Their final appearance together will be as cameos in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' in 1990 and 'Two-Tone Town' in 1992). As for the St. Bernard, give him a proper farewell, because we're never going to see him again.
Bosko the Doughboy
Release date: 1931-10-17
Plot: During a fierce World War I battle, Bosko dashes through the trenches to help his fellow soldiers, always at the center of the action. When the enemy launches a final attack, it's Bosko's makeshift flag (an old pair of pajamas) that miraculously turns alive, wiping out the offensive. In the end, he rescues his friend by yanking an enormous shell straight out of the poor guy's belly.
Name and role: Clad in a battered helmet, Bosko leads with heart, always rushing to the aid of others. He's the embodiment of plucky, everyman heroism on the animated front lines.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko starred in 39 black-and-white Looney Tunes from 1930-33, then shifted to MGM's Technicolor Happy Harmonies until his last lead short in 1938. After decades in the vault he's been used mainly as a nostalgia gag: revived in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' 1990; 'Two-Tone Town' 1992), sight-gagged in Animaniacs ('The Girl with the Googily Goop' 1996) and even framed on the locker-room wall in Space Jam (1996).
Release date: 1931-10-17
Plot: During a fierce World War I battle, Bosko dashes through the trenches to help his fellow soldiers, always at the center of the action. When the enemy launches a final attack, it's Bosko's makeshift flag (an old pair of pajamas) that miraculously turns alive, wiping out the offensive. In the end, he rescues his friend by yanking an enormous shell straight out of the poor guy's belly.
Name and role: Clad in a battered helmet, Bosko leads with heart, always rushing to the aid of others. He's the embodiment of plucky, everyman heroism on the animated front lines.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko starred in 39 black-and-white Looney Tunes from 1930-33, then shifted to MGM's Technicolor Happy Harmonies until his last lead short in 1938. After decades in the vault he's been used mainly as a nostalgia gag: revived in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' 1990; 'Two-Tone Town' 1992), sight-gagged in Animaniacs ('The Girl with the Googily Goop' 1996) and even framed on the locker-room wall in Space Jam (1996).
Ain't Nature Grand!
Release date: 1931-12-25
Plot: Bosko embarks on a whimsical fishing trip that quickly turns into a musical escapade. Enchanted by a butterfly, he follows it into the woods, leading to a lively song-and-dance routine with various woodland creatures. However, his idyllic adventure takes a turn when two ladybugs, piloting a dragonfly like a fighter plane, use a beehive and tree branch as a makeshift machine gun to drive him away.
Name and role: The Cheerful Bosko, in his classic attire, is shown fishing and dancing as usual. His inventive use of the "No Fishing" sign and his empathetic decision to free the worm illustrate his resourcefulness and kindness. These traits, combined with his musical talents and cheerful demeanor, solidify Bosko's role as a pioneering figure in the Looney Tunes series, setting the stage for the more complex characters that would follow.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko starred in 39 black-and-white Looney Tunes from 1930-33, then shifted to MGM's Technicolor Happy Harmonies until his last lead short in 1938. After decades in the vault he's been used mainly as a nostalgia gag: revived in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' 1990; 'Two-Tone Town' 1992), sight-gagged in Animaniacs ('The Girl with the Googily Goop' 1996) and even framed on the locker-room wall in Space Jam (1996).
Release date: 1931-12-25
Plot: Bosko embarks on a whimsical fishing trip that quickly turns into a musical escapade. Enchanted by a butterfly, he follows it into the woods, leading to a lively song-and-dance routine with various woodland creatures. However, his idyllic adventure takes a turn when two ladybugs, piloting a dragonfly like a fighter plane, use a beehive and tree branch as a makeshift machine gun to drive him away.
Name and role: The Cheerful Bosko, in his classic attire, is shown fishing and dancing as usual. His inventive use of the "No Fishing" sign and his empathetic decision to free the worm illustrate his resourcefulness and kindness. These traits, combined with his musical talents and cheerful demeanor, solidify Bosko's role as a pioneering figure in the Looney Tunes series, setting the stage for the more complex characters that would follow.
Trivia and other appearances: Bosko starred in 39 black-and-white Looney Tunes from 1930-33, then shifted to MGM's Technicolor Happy Harmonies until his last lead short in 1938. After decades in the vault he's been used mainly as a nostalgia gag: revived in Tiny Toon Adventures ('Fields of Honey' 1990; 'Two-Tone Town' 1992), sight-gagged in Animaniacs ('The Girl with the Googily Goop' 1996) and even framed on the locker-room wall in Space Jam (1996).
Ride Him, Bosko!
Release date: 1932-09-17
Plot: Bosko is in the Wild West, performing as a singing cowboy in a saloon. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Honey is traveling by stagecoach, which is attacked by bandits. Bosko rushes to her rescue.
Name and role: Bosko plays a cheerful, musical cowboy, performing in the saloon by playing the piano and singing. When Honey is kidnapped, he turns into an action hero, ready to save her. However, the narrative abruptly stops with a metanarrative sequence, where the animators decide to delay the ending, leaving Bosko waiting.
Trivia and other appearances: This type of ending was likely used in other shorts too, such as the very similar Lady, Play Your Mandolin! (1931). For a full collection of Western-themed shorts, there's always the special How Bugs Bunny Won the West (1978).
Release date: 1932-09-17
Plot: Bosko is in the Wild West, performing as a singing cowboy in a saloon. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Honey is traveling by stagecoach, which is attacked by bandits. Bosko rushes to her rescue.
Name and role: Bosko plays a cheerful, musical cowboy, performing in the saloon by playing the piano and singing. When Honey is kidnapped, he turns into an action hero, ready to save her. However, the narrative abruptly stops with a metanarrative sequence, where the animators decide to delay the ending, leaving Bosko waiting.
Trivia and other appearances: This type of ending was likely used in other shorts too, such as the very similar Lady, Play Your Mandolin! (1931). For a full collection of Western-themed shorts, there's always the special How Bugs Bunny Won the West (1978).
Bosko the Drawback
Release date: 1932-10-22
Plot: We're thrown into a rugby game between two teams of utterly deranged animals, total chaos in cleats. One of the teams is led by none other than Bosko, who's hell-bent on victory and willing to do absolutely anything to get it. No rules, no mercy, just cartoon carnage.
Name and role: Bosko, acting as the team's quarterback, pulls off acrobatic stunts and slapstick plays with help from some unforgettable teammates like an unstoppable centipede and the classic Looney-style dachshund who, in the grand finale, accidentally yeets Bosko straight across the field and into the goal line.
Trivia and other appearances: Never tired of cartoon football madness? Then check out Freddy the Freshman (1932), Screwball Football (1939), and Bugged by a Bee (1969)
Release date: 1932-10-22
Plot: We're thrown into a rugby game between two teams of utterly deranged animals, total chaos in cleats. One of the teams is led by none other than Bosko, who's hell-bent on victory and willing to do absolutely anything to get it. No rules, no mercy, just cartoon carnage.
Name and role: Bosko, acting as the team's quarterback, pulls off acrobatic stunts and slapstick plays with help from some unforgettable teammates like an unstoppable centipede and the classic Looney-style dachshund who, in the grand finale, accidentally yeets Bosko straight across the field and into the goal line.
Trivia and other appearances: Never tired of cartoon football madness? Then check out Freddy the Freshman (1932), Screwball Football (1939), and Bugged by a Bee (1969)
Bosko Dizzy Date
Release date: 1932-11-19
Plot: Honey attempts to teach her kitten, Wilbur, to play the violin, but he resists and plays poorly. Frustrated, Honey calls Bosko for assistance. Bosko arrives, and together they sing and dance to cheer up Wilbur. However, Wilbur retaliates by dumping soapy water into Bosko's saxophone, leading to a bubbly musical performance. The trio then embarks on a bicycle ride, leaving their troubles behind.
Name and role: A classic scene between Bosko and Bruno, master and dog messing up each other's lives for no real reason, yet working together to turn the chaos into nothing more than a simple gag.
Trivia and other appearances: This short is none other than Bosko & Honey: both titles are valid since it was reissued under both names.
Release date: 1932-11-19
Plot: Honey attempts to teach her kitten, Wilbur, to play the violin, but he resists and plays poorly. Frustrated, Honey calls Bosko for assistance. Bosko arrives, and together they sing and dance to cheer up Wilbur. However, Wilbur retaliates by dumping soapy water into Bosko's saxophone, leading to a bubbly musical performance. The trio then embarks on a bicycle ride, leaving their troubles behind.
Name and role: A classic scene between Bosko and Bruno, master and dog messing up each other's lives for no real reason, yet working together to turn the chaos into nothing more than a simple gag.
Trivia and other appearances: This short is none other than Bosko & Honey: both titles are valid since it was reissued under both names.
Bosko in person
Release date: 1933-02-11
Plot: Bosko and his girlfriend Honey are engaged in a lively vaudeville performance on a theater stage. After an endless series of impressions, the short concludes with a patriotic number, in which Bosko plays a bass drum decorated with the face of Franklin D. Roosevelt, while Honey waves an American flag.
Name and role: Among the various impressions, Bosko takes on the appearance of Jimmy Durante: a famous American comedian, singer, and actor known for his prominent nose, gravelly voice, and unique charisma. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons often caricatured celebrities of the time, and Jimmy Durante became a frequent target thanks to his distinctive features and easily parodiable comedic style. These impersonations included his way of speaking, his pronounced nose, and catchphrases like "Ha-cha-cha-cha!"
Trivia and other appearances: Here's a list of shorts featuring a caricature of Jimmy Durante: Bosko in Person (1933), Bosko's Picture Show (1933), Young and Healthy (1933), Swooner Crooner (1944), A Gruesome Twosome (1945), Book Revue (1946), Hollywood Canine Canteen (1946), Hollywood Daffy (1946)
Release date: 1933-02-11
Plot: Bosko and his girlfriend Honey are engaged in a lively vaudeville performance on a theater stage. After an endless series of impressions, the short concludes with a patriotic number, in which Bosko plays a bass drum decorated with the face of Franklin D. Roosevelt, while Honey waves an American flag.
Name and role: Among the various impressions, Bosko takes on the appearance of Jimmy Durante: a famous American comedian, singer, and actor known for his prominent nose, gravelly voice, and unique charisma. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons often caricatured celebrities of the time, and Jimmy Durante became a frequent target thanks to his distinctive features and easily parodiable comedic style. These impersonations included his way of speaking, his pronounced nose, and catchphrases like "Ha-cha-cha-cha!"
Trivia and other appearances: Here's a list of shorts featuring a caricature of Jimmy Durante: Bosko in Person (1933), Bosko's Picture Show (1933), Young and Healthy (1933), Swooner Crooner (1944), A Gruesome Twosome (1945), Book Revue (1946), Hollywood Canine Canteen (1946), Hollywood Daffy (1946)
Bosko the Speed King
Release date: 1933-03-11
Plot: Bosko prepares his race car number 13 for a big race. Honey, his girlfriend, assists him. During the race, among the crazy competitors, there's the usual cigar-chomping bear/wolf who tries to cheat. Bosko confronts him and wins the race.
Name and role: Bosko's number 13 car is a cartoon car, classic design, big eyes, runs on wheels like little feet and... it bites! In fact, it's by biting the villain's car in the butt that it manages to overtake and win the race!
Trivia and other appearances: More wacky races can be seen in Porky's Road Race (1937) and Formula One Bunny (2019).
Release date: 1933-03-11
Plot: Bosko prepares his race car number 13 for a big race. Honey, his girlfriend, assists him. During the race, among the crazy competitors, there's the usual cigar-chomping bear/wolf who tries to cheat. Bosko confronts him and wins the race.
Name and role: Bosko's number 13 car is a cartoon car, classic design, big eyes, runs on wheels like little feet and... it bites! In fact, it's by biting the villain's car in the butt that it manages to overtake and win the race!
Trivia and other appearances: More wacky races can be seen in Porky's Road Race (1937) and Formula One Bunny (2019).
Bosko the Musketeer
Release date: 1933-08-12
Plot: Bosko visits Honey, who shows him a portrait of the Three Musketeers. Inspired, Bosko imagines himself as a brave musketeer and Honey as a dancer. In his fantasy, he duels with a villain to save Honey, who, as always, gets kidnapped.
Name and role: Bosko imagines himself as a heroic musketeer, displaying the classic courage and wit of the role. His unnamed antagonist uses creative tricks, like throwing his sword with a coat hanger and sharpening it on his caddie's beard. It's a duel full of hilarious visual gags.
Trivia and other appearances: Even though this one-shot villain never returns, there are a few spiritual successors in the Looney history of musketeers: Duck Amuck (not exactly a musketeer, but hey, musket in hand!) and of course Duck Amuck (1953). But the real standout is The Three Muska-Warners (Animaniacs, 1993).
Release date: 1933-08-12
Plot: Bosko visits Honey, who shows him a portrait of the Three Musketeers. Inspired, Bosko imagines himself as a brave musketeer and Honey as a dancer. In his fantasy, he duels with a villain to save Honey, who, as always, gets kidnapped.
Name and role: Bosko imagines himself as a heroic musketeer, displaying the classic courage and wit of the role. His unnamed antagonist uses creative tricks, like throwing his sword with a coat hanger and sharpening it on his caddie's beard. It's a duel full of hilarious visual gags.
Trivia and other appearances: Even though this one-shot villain never returns, there are a few spiritual successors in the Looney history of musketeers: Duck Amuck (not exactly a musketeer, but hey, musket in hand!) and of course Duck Amuck (1953). But the real standout is The Three Muska-Warners (Animaniacs, 1993).