Effeminate characters in classic cartoons

[Cartman]

How many effeminate characters (major or minor) have you been able to spot in classic cartoons?

Here are a few I have spotted:

The referee in the Flip the Frog cartoon THE BULLY
The guy that turns into a Mr. Hyde-esque monster in SODA SQUIRT
Cupid in WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN?
The rooster in FREDDY THE FRESHMAN

[absolutpaul]

The Goofy Gophers are pretty effeminate.

[Pietro]

The Reluctant Dragon
The "Ferry" Boat in "Buddy's Showboat"
The Piano Player in "Ride Him, Bosko!"
Oswald's Assistant Fireman in "Going to Blazes"

-Pietro:daffy:

[candy17]

Finding effeminate characters in classic cartoons is a little hard. I'm more used to finding them in contemporary cartoons because the contemporary cartoons take more of a risk in showing a male character whose prissy actions are construed as "gay" or "homosexual".

And someone took my answers for Freddy the Freshman and Soda Squirt...:mad: :(

(gets an idea): Oh, I got it! Anyone remember the part on "I Like Mountain Music" where the cowboy gets sprayed with perfume?

Or that game commissioner on Rebel Rabbit? Those are pretty fem.

[Larry T]

Or that game commissioner on Rebel Rabbit?Ha ha ha ha ha, that was a great scene. :anime:

Even though a lot of these are done for sheer comedy effect, here's a few more:

Koko the clown gets kind of swishy in "Any Rags".

There's also an effeminate waiter (just one?) in "Dizzy Dishes".

There's the tree that likes pansies in "Little Red Riding Hood".

Betty turns Bimbo's monster effeminate in "Betty Boop's Penthouse".

Bugs' Oscar at the end of "What's Cookin' Doc?" is kind of queer.

The guy from "Soda Squirt" is also in "Funny Face".

Wasn't the guy who walks away in a girdle in "Ride 'Em Bosko" Goopy Geer?

The Big Bad Wolf at the end of "Book Revue"

I think there was a sissy character in the Willie Whopper cartoon, "Insultin' the Sultan" as well.

The Ram at the end of "I Got Plenty Of Mutton".

The Rainmaker King in "Audrey The Rainmaker".

I seem to remember a "ferry" boat in "Land Of The Midnight Fun".

[Thad Komorowski]

Gandy Goose
Fauntleroy Fox

-Thad

[JCorey3rd]

Elmer Fudd

[Jave]

The Bing Crosby Dog in "Hollywood Canine Canteen"

[candy17]

Elmer Fudd
Any particular reason why? I don't see it. I do see the many times he falls for Bugs when Bugs is dressed up as a woman, but I don't see how he acts effeminate. Man, I need to watch my cartoon tapes again...:sweat:

[candy17]

The Ram at the end of "I Got Plenty Of Mutton".
I wouldn't call it effeminate--just downright gay (no offense) because the ram still chases after the wolf after the wolf breaks down and says he's not a female sheep

[Daffyfan2003]

Actually, Pepe le Pew might have kind of an effeminate side. Sure he usually chases females, but don't forget about the tom cat in "Odor Able Kitty" and Sylvester in "Dog Pounded." Lol.

[candy17]

Actually, Pepe le Pew might have kind of an effeminate side.
Damn it. I wanted to mention that, but I'd thought I'd get flamed.


Sure he usually chases females, but don't forget about the tom cat in "Odor Able Kitty" and Sylvester in "Dog Pounded."
That would be more like being bisexual than effeminate. If you want to talk about Pepe being effeminate, check out the beginning of "The Cat's Bah". I wish I had a video clip of it to show, but the link's broken (which means I'll have to change my signature).

[stevea]

Some of the players in 'Gone Batty' (misc.)

The guy who says in an effeminate way 'I don't like you', cracks me up.

[JCorey3rd]

Any particular reason why? I don't see it. I do see the many times he falls for Bugs when Bugs is dressed up as a woman, but I don't see how he acts effeminate. Man, I need to watch my cartoon tapes again...:sweat:
Elmer doesn't seem to spend too much time wooing the ladies. He's a bachelor. He keeps a clean house. Seems to always have an apron handy in the kitchen. The only time he seems to get romantically involved, it's with a cross dresser. Plus Paul Lynde wanted to play Elmer on screen....

[candy17]

Elmer doesn't seem to spend too much time wooing the ladies. He's a bachelor. He keeps a clean house. Seems to always have an apron handy in the kitchen. The only time he seems to get romantically involved, it's with a cross dresser. Plus Paul Lynde wanted to play Elmer on screen....
And here's a really weird thing I picked up from that one cartoon where Elmer (shown as a fatso) has Bugs over his house because of something that Elmer's uncle was supposed to give him (I think it's called The Wabbit Who Came To Supper).

Anyway, during the chase near the end of the cartoon, one of the rooms in Elmer's house is a boudoir with a frilly vanity table (that's where Bugs hides and when Elmer comes in, Bugs is in women's underwear). When I saw the cartoon again through the eyes of a teenager analyzing the classics, I said to myself, "If Elmer's single, then why does he have a room filled with lace and a vanity table?"

Also there's this other cartoon called "Don't Axe Me" where Fudd does have a wife, but the creepy part is the wife looks like Elmer in drag (even creepier when you consider that Elmer and his "wife" weren't on screen together--or maybe they were, I dunno).

[Steve Carras]

Many might call ANY character with Jones-styling by 1960 "effeminate"...

Too bad Paulo Lynde wasn;'t active as a voice actor back in the fifties..he turned up in countless cartoons,esp.Hanna-Barbera since the late 1960s.

And Candy17's righ,t the GAME COMMISIONER in REBEL RABBIT (McKimson,1949) DOES act effeminate, and so the Goofy Gophers.

BTW Which DIZZY DISHES is being referred to in another response--the Betty Boopor Little Audrrey title?

[Daffyfan2003]

Elmer doesn't seem to spend too much time wooing the ladies. He's a bachelor. He keeps a clean house. Seems to always have an apron handy in the kitchen. The only time he seems to get romantically involved, it's with a cross dresser. Plus Paul Lynde wanted to play Elmer on screen....
That is a good point. Elmer has never been involved with a real woman (well, except in "Don't Axe Me," but there's a common belief that that was his mother instead of his wife). Maybe there is something going on between Elmer and Bugs. Hmmmm.

[CookieS]

Snagglepuss and Vanity Smurf get my vote.

[Jave]

Also there's this other cartoon called "Don't Axe Me" where Fudd does have a wife, but the creepy part is the wife looks like Elmer in drag (even creepier when you consider that Elmer and his "wife" weren't on screen together--or maybe they were, I dunno).They were seen together in one scene, when the wife gives Elmer the ax.

We can add to the fact that in "Confederate Honey", Elmer is the only one not interested in the Colonel's daugther...

[guy incognito]

I wouldn't call it effeminate--just downright gay (no offense) because the ram still chases after the wolf after the wolf breaks down and says he's not a female sheep
LOL :D ...shades of Joe E. Brown in Some Like it Hot!

[Cartman]

Another one would be the cop in the Flip cartoon THE NEW CAR. At first he saunters up to Flip, but then scolds him in an effeminate manner.

[epidicus]

Another one would be the cop in the Flip cartoon THE NEW CAR. At first he saunters up to Flip, but then scolds him in an effeminate manner.
What about the prisoner about to be executed in "Betty Boop for President", or is that too obvious?

[Davesnothere]

The eunuchs in "Insultin' The Sultan"

In "Chinaman's Chance", Flip the Frog (under the influence of opium!) briefly tries to cuddle with Chow Mein.

The dumb balloon guy in "Balloon Land" just before he got popped.

The elephant who appears briefly in "Rabbit Fire".

[duck dodgers]

The eunuchs in "Insultin' The Sultan"

In "Chinaman's Chance", Flip the Frog (under the influence of opium!) briefly tries to cuddle with Chow Mein.

The dumb balloon guy in "Balloon Land" just before he got popped.

The elephant who appears briefly in "Rabbit Fire".
1)but just because flip sees him as a girl(these are the tricks of opium,probably)
2)it doesn't look so to me!
3)for me,it's chidis,more than effeminate,it's a parody of actor joe besser

the guy who is going to go on the electric chair in betty boop for president is actually tramuted into a sacharinous effeminate one(hand on hips too)

[Corrado]

In "Believe It Or Else", I seem to remember Buck Dodgers acting effeminately.

[Frizfrelengfan]

The eunuchs in "Insultin' The Sultan"

In "Chinaman's Chance", Flip the Frog (under the influence of opium!) briefly tries to cuddle with Chow Mein.

The dumb balloon guy in "Balloon Land" just before he got popped.

The elephant who appears briefly in "Rabbit Fire".The elephant was an imitation of actor Joe Besser. Besser (1907-1988) was a member of the Three Stooges from 1956-1958.

[candy17]

In "Believe It Or Else", I seem to remember Buck Dodgers acting effeminately.
It was. I can't believe I forgot about that. And you can also add Buddy at the end of Buddy's Beer Garden after his Mae West costume comes apart.


Actually, Pepe le Pew might have kind of an effeminate side. Sure he usually chases females, but don't forget about the tom cat in "Odor Able Kitty" and Sylvester in "Dog Pounded." Lol.
Dear Daffyfan2003,

You also forgot the part on "Scent-imental Romeo" where Pepe sneaks up on the cat on a Tunnel of Love ride and ends up kissing a man who's so traumatized that he signs up for The French Foreign Legion (ironic since the cartoon after that---Little Beau Pepe--had Pepe join the French Foreign Legion)

[mac]

There's a pirate in Disney's "King Neptune" who is very camp. He has ribbons in his hair and sings "Yo Ho Blow the man down", in a stereotypical gay way, until he gets a bottle thrown at his head. Maybe it was the effect the alcohol had on him that made him act like that, but I doubt it!

[duck dodgers]

There's a pirate in Disney's "King Neptune" who is very camp. He has ribbons in his hair and sings "Yo Ho Blow the man down", in a stereotypical gay way, until he gets a bottle thrown at his head. Maybe it was the effect the alcohol had on him that made him act like that, but I doubt it!
THERE'S A PIRATE WHICH ACT EFFEMINATE IN IWERK'S SINBAD THE SAILOR AND ONE IN SHANGAIED(I'M NO 100% SURE OF THESE TO BE HONEST)

[frogboxer]

The angel food cake twins in the Silly Symphony "The Cookie Carnival."

Oh yeah, and don't forget Ravishing Ronald in "Bunny Hugged."

[Toss]

Anyway, during the chase near the end of the cartoon, one of the rooms in Elmer's house is a boudoir with a frilly vanity table (that's where Bugs hides and when Elmer comes in, Bugs is in women's underwear). When I saw the cartoon again through the eyes of a teenager analyzing the classics, I said to myself, "If Elmer's single, then why does he have a room filled with lace and a vanity table?".
That's sorta like asking, why does Mickey Mouse have such a high voice?;)

Incidentally, Mickey Mouse is my suggestion for effeminate cartoon. Him and Dudley Do-Right. BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY'RE GAY!!!!

[Cartman]

THERE'S A PIRATE WHICH ACT EFFEMINATE IN IWERK'S SINBAD THE SAILOR AND ONE IN SHANGAIED(I'M NO 100% SURE OF THESE TO BE HONEST)
Arey you talking about the Mickey Mouse cartoon SHANGHAIED?

[mac]

I just remembered there's the limp wristed "pshycic" version of Goofy in "They're Off".

[candy17]

That's sorta like asking, why does Mickey Mouse have such a high voice?;)

Incidentally, Mickey Mouse is my suggestion for effeminate cartoon. Him and Dudley Do-Right. BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY'RE GAY!!!!
Okay, okay, you don't have to shout. I just brought up that question about Elmer and the vanity because when you're a kid, you don't notice stuff like that. When you're older and have seen the harsh realities behind life's vices and quirks, you begin to see it in those "innocent" cartoons you grew up with.

Famous example for this thesis is Pepe Le Pew. When I was a kid, these cartoons didn't come on very often and I only remembered bits and pieces of a cartoon about a skunk and everyone speaking in fake French. Now...well, let's just say, if I didn't find out about this at all, then I wouldn't be here trying to find others who know that Looney Tunes aren't kids' cartoons.

Oh, and if you want another suggestion for an effeminate cartoon character, may I suggest the Lone Stranger from "The Lone Stranger & Porky". I don't know if it's right, but I do know there is that camp/gay acting schtick in that cartoon.

[Bobby B]

"Bosko's Mechanical Man"-the title character, after Honey sprays it with perfume

"A Great Big Bunch of You"-the cuckoo clock

"I Love A Parade"-the tattooed man (sort of)


"King of the Mardi Gras"-limp-wristed cross-dresser in opening pan shot

[Cartman]

While watching a few Mickey cartoons earlier today, I noticed that Mickey Mouse himself can also be somewhat of an effeminate character at times.

[Toss]

[QUOTE=candy17]Okay, okay, you don't have to shout. I just brought up that question about Elmer and the vanity because when you're a kid, you don't notice stuff like that. When you're older and have seen the harsh realities behind life's vices and quirks, you begin to see it in those "innocent" cartoons you grew up with.[QUOTE]

Sorry, I didn't yell cause I was mad. I just wanted to make it clear. I really don't think any classic cartoons are gay because people just weren't gay back then. Plus Mickey Mouse and Dudley Do-Right are (almost) paragons of virtue.

[stevea]

I almost forgot our friend Casper J. Fragile, from 'Wild Wife' (misc.), who, rather than donationg at the blood bank, was making a withdrawal...

[Cartman]

I almost forgot our friend Casper J. Fragile, from 'Wild Wife' (misc.), who, rather than donationg at the blood bank, was making a withdrawal...

I don't think I'd call him effeminate. I'd just consider him to be timid.

[candy17]

I don't think I'd call him effeminate. I'd just consider him to be timid.

And Mr. Meek, from The Wise Quacking Duck, same deal?

[Feslmogh]

Would you consider the ants dancing in "The Gay Anites" effeminate?

[candy17]

Would you consider the ants dancing in "The Gay Anites" effeminate?
Just the cross-drossing ones.