Stan Freberg, Comedy Pioneer, Passes Away

vienna · 04-09-15, 12:35 PM

Stan Freberg passed away at the age of 88:

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituar...ry.html#page=1

To those of us who are my age or a bit older, Stan Freberg's works were right up there with 50s and 60s comic greats like Jonathan Winters, Tom Lehrer, Bob Newhart and other masters of recorded comedy. He would satirize and lampoon anyone or anything and his comedy was always spot on. Here he gives a brief history of the United States of Amereica:

This link is to a YouTube compilation of some of his most well-known works:

RIP, Stan, and thanks for all the laughs and inspiration you have given to the world of comedy...

<O>

Sailor Steve · 04-09-15, 12:43 PM

Oh no, not another one on the same day!

Stan Freberg was one of my all-time favorites. His spoof of Elvis's 'Heartbreak Hotel' was great. I grew up listening to my dad's copy of A Child's Garden of Freberg. His companion on many of his records was Daws Butler, the voice of Huckleberry Hound in that old cartoon series.

Though it might be in your compilation list, here is my all-time favorite of his.

vienna · 04-09-15, 01:21 PM

I thought "Dragonet" was in the list; my mistake. Steve, I kinda thought you, of all people on the forums, would be a Freberg fan. When I first came to LA on vacation in 1961/62, I was introduced to the anarchic world of "Beany & Cecil", a show billed as a children's cartoon and puppet show; it was way more than that and was way more sly, in an adult way, than any mere kid's show. It was rather like "Rocky & Bullwinkle": a show the kids could enjoy and the adults could understand on a whole other level. Here is a clip of Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent (voiced by Freberg), singing a song accompanied by a puppet version of "President Harry Truman" playing piano:

Here's a clip of the cartoon version of "Beany", written by and with the voice of Freberg as Cecil, where they poke fun at "Davy Crockett":

Besides Daws Butler, Freberg collaborated with a large number of character actors, such as Jessie White, who was a staple of early television.

More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Freberg

I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like an awful lot of "kid's shows" in those early day of television were more adult, socially, and politically aware than the cartoon 'infomercials' inflicted on kids today. I know I learned a lot about current events, culture and politics from a lot of those early shows...

<O>

Sailor Steve · 04-09-15, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vienna

I thought "Dragonet" was in the list

I assumed it was. I just wanted to point it out specifically.

Platapus · 04-09-15, 03:58 PM

Oh no.

He was an awesome talent. For far too long, his work at the Warner Brothers was uncited. He was also instrumental in the idea of introducing humor into advertising.

Most sad news

Platapus · 04-09-15, 04:03 PM

I think this leaves June Foray as the last surviving Looney Toons voice actor.

I fear she may not be with us much longer.

Jimbuna · 04-10-15, 04:45 AM

Ever popular in the UK too....a sad loss to the world of comedy.

RIP Stan

04-09-15, 12:35 PM	#1
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Stan Freberg, Comedy Pioneer, Passes Away Stan Freberg passed away at the age of 88: http://www.latimes.com/local/obituar...ry.html#page=1 To those of us who are my age or a bit older, Stan Freberg's works were right up there with 50s and 60s comic greats like Jonathan Winters, Tom Lehrer, Bob Newhart and other masters of recorded comedy. He would satirize and lampoon anyone or anything and his comedy was always spot on. Here he gives a brief history of the United States of Amereica: This link is to a YouTube compilation of some of his most well-known works: RIP, Stan, and thanks for all the laughs and inspiration you have given to the world of comedy... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

04-09-15, 12:43 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Oh no, not another one on the same day! Stan Freberg was one of my all-time favorites. His spoof of Elvis's 'Heartbreak Hotel' was great. I grew up listening to my dad's copy of A Child's Garden of Freberg. His companion on many of his records was Daws Butler, the voice of Huckleberry Hound in that old cartoon series. Though it might be in your compilation list, here is my all-time favorite of his. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-09-15, 01:21 PM	#3
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I thought "Dragonet" was in the list; my mistake. Steve, I kinda thought you, of all people on the forums, would be a Freberg fan. When I first came to LA on vacation in 1961/62, I was introduced to the anarchic world of "Beany & Cecil", a show billed as a children's cartoon and puppet show; it was way more than that and was way more sly, in an adult way, than any mere kid's show. It was rather like "Rocky & Bullwinkle": a show the kids could enjoy and the adults could understand on a whole other level. Here is a clip of Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent (voiced by Freberg), singing a song accompanied by a puppet version of "President Harry Truman" playing piano: Here's a clip of the cartoon version of "Beany", written by and with the voice of Freberg as Cecil, where they poke fun at "Davy Crockett": Besides Daws Butler, Freberg collaborated with a large number of character actors, such as Jessie White, who was a staple of early television. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Freberg I don't know if it's just me, but it seems like an awful lot of "kid's shows" in those early day of television were more adult, socially, and politically aware than the cartoon 'infomercials' inflicted on kids today. I know I learned a lot about current events, culture and politics from a lot of those early shows... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

04-09-15, 03:58 PM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Oh no. He was an awesome talent. For far too long, his work at the Warner Brothers was uncited. He was also instrumental in the idea of introducing humor into advertising. Most sad news __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-09-15, 04:03 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I think this leaves June Foray as the last surviving Looney Toons voice actor. I fear she may not be with us much longer. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-10-15, 04:45 AM	#7
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Ever popular in the UK too....a sad loss to the world of comedy. RIP Stan __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!