Artists in the Background

Paul Julian liked inserting names of staff members in backgrounds of a number of cartoons he made for Friz Freleng’s unit at Warners, and a really good example is “Ballot Box Bunny” (released 1951).



The first one comes about a minute and a half into the cartoon. There’s animator Virgil Ross. And you’ll remember Fearless Freep from Freleng’s “High Diving Hare” (released 1949). Freep wasn’t a person. Bob Clampett told animation writer Jim Korkis: “Freep is a word we used at Warners which meant a cross between a Freak and a Creep.”



Maybe someone has some insight into who Hinkle and Ames were. The name “M. Hinkle” makes a background appearance in Chuck Jones’ great cartoon “Chow Hound” (released 1951).



Animator Manny Perez.



On the statue’s plaque are the following: Warren Batchelder (Ross’ assistant animator), Ken Champin (animator), Sid Farren (assistant animator), Julian, Sam Nicholson (assistant animator), Perez, Hawley Pratt (layout artist) and Ross. Art Davis also animated on this cartoon, but I haven’t spotted his name anywhere.



A building to the right is named “Frizby” for Friz Freleng. In front of that is a welding shop with writer Warren Foster’s name.



Paul Julian owns a yard something-or-other store.



Finally, a parade passes at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Kling Street. Such an address actually exists in North Hollywood. It’s not the site of the Warners’ cartoon studio; it’s a residential area. Who lived there at the time this cartoon was made, I don’t know.