Did you know that Sylvester the Cat gets his name form the word sylvestris, which is the scientific name for the domestic cat species? This play on words denotes a very special tuxedo cat that appears in many Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, and is most often depicted chasing Tweety Bird, Speedy Gonzales or Hippety Hopper. He dates back to 1941, when a Sylvester prototype appeared in Bob Clampett’s cartoon, “The Hep Cat”. This cat had no specific name, but he greatly resembled the modern Sylvester, except for his lisp. Although no one knew yet exactly what to call him, his look was finalized in 1945 in Friz Furlong’s “Life With Feathers.” In 1947, this same man produced the first painting of Tweety Bird with Sylvester, and it became the first Warner Brothers cartoon to win an Academy Award. At this point the cat’s name was Thomas, but in 1948 he became officially known as Sylvester.
Sylvester stood out from other cartoons because of his unmistakable lisp, (which like Daffy Duck’s was based on the real life voice of producer Leon Schlesinger). With improvisation provided by Mel Blanc, the words “Sufferin’ Succotash!” became Sylvester’s unmistakable trademark. According to Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, the voice of Sylvester minus the lisp, came the closest to his own natural voice. The unflappable tuxedo cat never gives up in his quest for canary, Tweety and friends, although he is most often the “loser” in their endless chase for victory. Tweety is not so innocent as often poor Sylvester is often set up by the little canary to take the fall for trouble that he created.
When paired with Porky Pig, his cartoon character is different. In these episodes he plays the classic “scaredy cat”, reminiscent of the terrified Costello and oblivious Abbot routines of days gone by. His most developed role, however, is as the hapless, mouse-chasing instructor in a series of shorts directed by Robert McKimson. In this depiction, Sylvester is an instructor to his son, Sylvester Jr, and in this capacity suffers from a series of nervous breakdowns.
Sylvester lives in the hearts of all of his fans and the words “Sufferin” Succotash” will never ever be associated with any other feline!
What are some of YOUR favorite Sylvester moments? Please share.
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