Little Lulu

Little Lulu

The first Little Lulu cartoon from the February 23, 1935 issue of The Saturday Evening Post
Author(s) Marge
Current status / schedule Ended
Launch date 1935-02-23
End date 1944-12-30
Publisher(s) The Saturday Evening Post
Genre(s) Humor

"Little Lulu" is the nickname for Lulu Moppett, a comic strip character created in the mid-1930s by Marjorie Henderson Buell. The character debuted in The Saturday Evening Post on February 23, 1935 in a single panel, appearing as a flower girl at a wedding and strewing the aisle with banana peels. Little Lulu replaced Carl Anderson's Henry, which had been picked up for distribution by King Features Syndicate. The Little Lulu panel continued to run weekly in The Saturday Evening Post until December 30, 1944.

Little Lulu was created as a result of Anderson's success. Schlesinger Library curator Kathryn Allamong Jacob wrote:

Lulu was born in 1935, when The Saturday Evening Post asked Buell to create a successor to the magazine’s Henry, Carl Anderson’s stout, mute little boy, who was moving on to national syndication. The result was Little Lulu, the resourceful, equally silent (at first) little girl whose loopy curls were reminiscent of the artist’s own as a girl. Buell explained to a reporter, "I wanted a girl because a girl could get away with more fresh stunts that in a small boy would seem boorish."[1]

Contents

Characters and story

Marge's Little Lulu

Publication information
Publisher Dell/Gold Key(Western)
Schedule bi-monthly
Format Ongoing series
Publication date Jan/Feb 1948–March 1984
Number of issues 268
Creative team
Writer(s) John Stanley
Artist(s) Irving Tripp
John Stanley
Collected editions
In the Doghouse ISBN 1-59307-345-3
Lulu Takes a Trip ISBN 1-59307-317-8
Letters to Santa ISBN 1-59307-386-0
Lulu's Umbrella Service ISBN 1-59307-399-2

Comic strips and comic books

A daily comic strip, entitled Little Lulu, was syndicated from June 5, 1950 through May 1969. Artists included Woody Kimbrell (1950–1964), Roger Armstrong (1964–1966), and Ed Nofziger (1966–1969).

Little Lulu appeared in ten issues of Dell Comics' Four Color comic book series (#74, 97, 110, 115, 120, 131, 139, 146, 158, 165), before graduating to her own title: Marge's Little Lulu in 1948. With the Dell Comics/Western Publishing split that created Gold Key Comics, Little Lulu went to Gold Key with issue #165. Tubby got his own comic series from 1952 to 1961, first appearing in Four Color #381, 430, 444, and #461; then his own title Marge's Tubby from #5 thru 49. In this series, Tubby had his own adventures without Lulu, especially with the Little Men from Mars. Upon retirement, Marge sold Little Lulu to Western Publishing. The comic was re–named Little Lulu with #207 (September, 1972). Publication of the comics ceased in 1984 (with issue #268, the last few under the Whitman Comics name), when Western discontinued publishing comics. Artist Hy Eisman retained stories intended for #269–270 (scripted by Paul Kuhn) because the artwork was returned to him after the comic was cancelled. Three of these are to be reprinted in the Lulu fanzine The HoLLywood Eclectern (HE). "The Case of the Disappearing Tutu", slated to be the lead story in Little Lulu #270, appears in HE #47 (2008).

There were also two giant-sized annuals (#1–2, 1953–1954), fourteen Dell Giants (with seasonal and other themes), a regular-sized un-numbered special on visiting Japan and three Gold Key specials (two with Lulu on Halloween and summer camp, and one with Tubby and the Little Men from Mars). Lulu also appeared in 20 issues of March of Comics and was reprinted in several Golden Comics Digest.

Between 1985 and 1992 Another Rainbow Publishing published a hardbound 18-volume set, the Little Lulu Library, collecting the stories in the Four Color issues, plus the regular series through #87.

John Stanley

Writer/artist John Stanley's work on the Little Lulu comic book is highly regarded. He did the initial Lulu comics, later working with artists Irving Tripp and Charles Hedinger (Tripp inking Hedinger before eventually assuming both duties),[2] writing and laying out the stories. He continued working on the comic until around 1959. Stanley is responsible for the many additional characters in the stories. After Stanley, other writers produced the Lulu stories for Gold Key, including Arnold Drake.

Advertising and merchandising

Little Lulu was featured on numerous licensed products, and she was the centerpiece of an extensive advertising campaign for Kleenex tissues during the 1940s-50s, and she was also seen in Pepsi-Cola magazine ads during that period.[3] Kleenex commercials featuring Little Lulu were regularly seen in the 1950s on Perry Como's television show.[4]

Theatrical shorts

In the mid-1940s, Lulu appeared in a series of theatrical animated shorts produced by Famous Studios for Paramount Pictures from 1943 to 1948, which replaced the Superman shorts of the 1940s. In all, 26 Little Lulu cartoons were released in a period of less than five years. A similar character, Little Audrey, was then created after Paramount failed to renew the Lulu license (and therefore avoided the payment of royalty fees).[5] The voice of Little Lulu was performed by Cecil Roy[6] and Tubby was Arnold Stang.

The theme song for the shorts was written by Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise, and Sidney Lippman.

Television and films

The Paramount Little Lulu cartoons were sold to U.M.&M. T.V. Corp. in 1955, along with many other Paramount shorts. National Telefilm Associates purchased U.M.&M. not long afterward, and syndicated them to television. These cartoons were released by NTA on home video in the 1980s. Today, theatrical rights are once again held by Paramount (via NTA successor, Republic Pictures), while Republic licensee Lions Gate Home Entertainment holds video rights, although any sort of official DVD reissue has yet to be announced. Trifecta Entertainment & Media holds TV rights, as does the rest of the Republic theatrical library for syndication. Many of the Little Lulu cartoons have fallen into the public domain, and are available on low-quality public domain DVDs and videos.

Little Lulu has starred in several TV animated cartoon series. She appeared in two cartoons included in the TV series King Features Trilogy. These cartoons were, ironically, produced by Paramount Cartoon Studios, the former Famous Studios, and were released theatrically before their television debut in 1963.

ABC aired two half-hour Little Lulu live-action specials on Saturday morning as part of the ABC Weekend Special series in the late 1970s. In both Little Lulu and The Big Hex of Little Lulu, Lulu was played by Lauri Hendler. The cast also included Robbie Rist and Annrae Walterhouse.

A Little Lulu cameo was planned for the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, but rights to the character could not be obtained in time. She was delegated to appear in the planned sequel which has been indefinitely delayed.

In 1995, Lulu appeared in The Little Lulu Show on HBO, voiced by Tracey Ullman. The series was produced by Canada's Cinar Films after Marge's death in 1993. The series ended in 1999 but continued to air on Cartoon Network in the United States and on Family Channel in Canada. It is currently seen on Teletoon Retro in Canada.

Lulu fans hold an annual gathering at the San Diego Comic Con in which they perform a play adapted from a classic Lulu story.[7]

Anime

Little Lulu and Her Little Friends
リトル・ルルとちっちゃい仲間
(Ritoru Ruru to Chitchai Nakama)
TV anime
Little Lulu and Her Little Friends
Directed by Fumio Kurokawa
Music by Nobuyoshi Koshibe
Studio Nippon Animation
Network ABC, NET
Original run October 3, 1976April 3, 1977
Episodes 26
Anime and Manga Portal

Little Lulu and Her Little Friends (リトル・ルルとちっちゃい仲間 Ritoru Ruru to Chitchai Nakama?) was a 26-episode Japanese anime TV series produced by Nippon Animation which aired on ABC and NET from October 3, 1976 to April 3, 1977. The series was directed by Fumio Kurokawa and featuring famed seiyuu Eiko Masuyama and Minori Matsushima as the voice of Lulu. An English-dubbed version of the anime was made for the American market by ZIV International in 1978, and the series was also released in Italian, Hebrew, Arabic , Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. The Little Lulu anime is extremely rare and has been out of print in the United States for years. Although some full-length English-language episodes were posted on YouTube, they have since been removed because of infringement claims from Nippon Animation.

Cast

Japanese-Style comic-manga

As of 2009 a new revival of Lulu and her friends for the Brazilian market has them as now being teenagers and depicted in a manga style. The title is Luluzinha Teen e sua Turma (in English: Little Lulu Teen and her Gang).[8]

Little Lulu in other languages

Reprints

The Little Lulu Library

Published by Another Rainbow Publishing, were a series of six book box sets released from 1985 to 1992. They were published in reverse order, with Set VI being released first, then counting down to Set I. Each of the six sets contains three volumes, each with about six comics. The comics are printed in black and white; however, the covers are printed in full color. The books are about 9" by 12", with the pages being larger than the original comic book pages.

Dark Horse reprints

In 2004, Dark Horse Comics obtained the rights to reprint Little Lulu comics. Eighteen black and white volumes plus an un-numbered color special were published through early 2008. After a short hiatus, the series resumed in mid-2009 in full color. Volumes 4 and 5 were originally published before the first three volumes, as it was felt that their content was more accessible.

  1. My Dinner with Lulu ISBN 1-59307-318-6 (reprints Four Color Comics #74, 97, 110, 115, 120)
  2. Sunday Afternoon ISBN 1-59307-345-3 (reprints Four Color Comics #131, 139, 146, 158)
  3. Lulu in the Doghouse ISBN 1-59307-345-3 (reprints Four Color Comics #165 and Little Lulu #1–5)
  4. Lulu Goes Shopping ISBN 1-59307-270-8 (reprints Little Lulu #6–12)
  5. Lulu Takes a Trip ISBN 1-59307-317-8 (reprints Little Lulu #13–17)
  6. Letters to Santa ISBN 1-59307-386-0 (reprints Little Lulu #18–22)
  7. Lulu's Umbrella Service ISBN 1-59307-399-2 (reprints Little Lulu #23–27)
  8. Late for School ISBN 1-59307-453-0 (reprints Little Lulu #28–32)
  9. Lucky Lulu ISBN 1-59307-471-9 (reprints Little Lulu #33–37)
  10. All Dressed Up ISBN 1-59307-534-0 (reprints Little Lulu #38–42)
  11. April Fools ISBN 1-59307-557-X (reprints Little Lulu #43–48)
  12. Leave It to Lulu ISBN 1-59307-620-7 (reprints Little Lulu #49–53)
  13. Too Much Fun ISBN 1-59307-621-5 (reprints Little Lulu #54–58)
  14. Queen Lulu ISBN 1-59307-683-5 (reprints Little Lulu #59–63)
  15. The Explorers ISBN 1-59307-684-3 (reprints Little Lulu #64–68)
  16. A Handy Kid ISBN 1-59307-685-1 (reprints Little Lulu #69–74)
  17. The Valentine ISBN 1-59307-686-X (reprints Little Lulu #75–81)
  18. The Expert ISBN 1-59307-687-8 (reprints Little Lulu #82–87)
  19. The Alamo and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-293-3 (reprints Little Lulu #88-93 in full color)
  20. The Bawlplayers and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-364-6 (reprints Little Lulu #94-99 in full color)
  21. Miss Feeny's Folly and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-365-4 (reprints Little Lulu #100-105 in full color)
  22. The Big Dipper Club and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-420-0 (reprints Little Lulu #106-111 in full color)
  23. The Bogey Snowman and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-474-X (reprints Little Lulu #112-117 in full color)
  24. The Space Dolly and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-475-8 (reprints Little Lulu #118-123 in full color)
  25. The Burglar-Proof Clubhouse and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-539-8 (reprints Little Lulu #124-129 in full color)
  26. The Feud and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-632-7 (reprints Little Lulu #130-135 in full color)
  27. The Treasure Map and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-633-5 (reprints Dell Giant/Marge’s Little Lulu and her Special Friends #3 and Dell Giant/Marge’s Little Lulu and her Friends #4 in full color)
  28. The Prize Winner and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-731-5 (reprints Dell Giant/Marge’s Little Lulu and Tubby at Summer Camp #5 and Dell Giant/Marge’s Little Lulu and Tubby Halloween Fun #6 in full color)
  29. The Cranky Giant and Other Stories ISBN 1595827323 (reprints Dell Giant/Marge's Little Lulu and Tubby at Summer Camp #2 and Dell Giant/Marge's Lulu and Tubby Halloween Fun #2 in full color)
  1. Giant Size Little Lulu ISBN 1-59582-502-9 (reprints Four Color Comics #74, 97, 110, 115, 120, 131, 139, 146, 158, 165 and Little Lulu #1-6)
  2. Giant Size Little Lulu ISBN 1-59582-540-1 (reprints Little Lulu #6-22)
  3. Giant Size Little Lulu ISBN 1-59582-634-3 (reprints Little Lulu #23-37)
  4. Giant Size Little Lulu ISBN 1-59582-752-8 (reprints Little Lulu #38-53)

In 2010, Dark Horse reprinted the companion Tubby series (Little Lulu's Pal Tubby) in volumes similar to their Lulu volumes.

  1. The Castaway and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-421-9 (reprints Four Color Comics #381, 430, 444, and #461 and Tubby #5-6 in full color)
  2. The Runaway Statue and Other Stories ISBN 1595824227 (reprints Tubby #7-12 in full color)
  3. The Frog Boy and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-635-1 (reprints Tubby #13-18 in full color)
  4. The Atomic Violin and Other Stories ISBN 1-59582-733-1 (reprints Tubby #19-24 in full color)

Famous Studios Little Lulu filmography

Title Director Year Summary
Eggs Don't Bounce Isadore Sparber 1943 Lulu buys some eggs for Mandy, but they end up broken, so she tries to borrow some eggs from Henrietta.
Hullaba-Lulu Seymour Kneitel 1944 Lulu sneaks into the circus where she disrupts every performance but saves the ringmaster from a lion.
Lulu Gets the Birdie Isadore Sparber 1944 When Mandy scolds Lulu for making a mess because she heard from "a little bird," Lulu decides to literally go after the bird.
Lulu in Hollywood Isadore Sparber 1944 A director arrives and brings Lulu to Hollywood with the intent of making her famous.
Lucky Lulu Seymour Kneitel 1944 Lulu mistakes a short escaped convict for a leprechaun and chases him thinking he has a pot of gold.
It's Nifty to Be Thrifty Seymour Kneitel 1944 Lulu's dad tells the story of The Grasshopper and the Ant and Lulu swears that she will be good with her money but gives into temptation at a candy store.
I'm Just Curious Seymour Kneitel 1944 Lulu sings "I'm Just Curious" after being scolded by her father.
Lulu's Indoor Outing Isadore Sparber 1944 Lulu has a picnic in a haunted house much to the dismay of Mandy. After eating the food, the ghosts reveal themselves to be hungry and Lulu invites them home.
Lulu at the Zoo Isadore Sparber 1944 Lulu wreaks havoc at the zoo where she feeds the animals, much to the chagrin of the zookeeper.
Lulu's Birthday Party Isadore Sparber 1944 As Mandy makes Lulu's birthday cake, Lulu accidentally spoils it, but she returns to be greeted by a wonderful surprise.
Magica-Lulu Seymour Kneitel 1945 Lulu is inspired by a magician's act and decides she wants to be part of the show.
Beau Ties Seymour Kneitel 1945 Lulu is shocked that Tubby has started hanging out with another girl and smacks him. Tubby then dreams that he is grown up and married to a henpecking Lulu.
Daffydilly Daddy Seymour Kneitel 1945 The plant Lulu guards for her dad ends up in the park where a bulldog watches over it.
Snap Happy Bill Tytla 1945 Lulu pesters a photographer to take her picture, ruining his chances to get good scoops.
Man's Pest Friend Seymour Kneitel 1945 Lulu helps her dog, Pal evade the dogcatcher.
Bargain Counter Attack Isadore Sparber 1946 Lulu goes to a toy store to exchange a doll, but her tryouts on other toys annoy the store clerk.
Bored of Education Bill Tytla 1946 In history class Lulu is confined in the corner. She dreams of chasing Tubby through history until she gets a splash of the Fountain of Youth.
Chick and Double Chick Seymour Kneitel 1946 Lulu and her dog closely guard some eggs in an incubator from a sneaky black cat.
Musica-Lulu Isadore Sparber 1946 Lulu wants to play baseball instead of her violin. After a knockout on the head, she dreams she's tried a criminal for disregarding her violin.
A Scout with the Gout Bill Tytla 1947 Lulu's dad teaches Lulu how to be a girl scout, but a hungry raccoon gets dad into a dangerous predicament.
Loose in a Caboose Seymour Kneitel 1947 Lulu travels on a train for a holiday, trying avoid the conductor who thinks Lulu was boarding without a ticket.
Cad and Caddy Isadore Sparber 1947 A golfer hires Lulu to be his caddy, promising to pay her a big juicy red lollipop. But she disappoints him, so she tricks him with the help of her pet frog Quincy to get lollipops off him.
A Bout with a Trout Isadore Sparber 1947 Lulu decides to skip school and go fishing, but her guilt for truancy gets the better of her.
Super Lulu Bill Tytla 1947 Lulu likes Super Hero stuff over Jack and the Beanstalk. She then dreams of rescuing her dad from the Giant's castle as Super Lulu.
The Baby Sitter Seymour Kneitel 1947 Lulu opens a babysitting service but the child she tries watching over hits her on the head and she has a dream that she chases the baby through town.
The Dog Show-Off Seymour Kneitel 1948 Lulu helps a little boy enter his dog into the Annual Dog Show and tricks the judge into giving it first prize.
Alvin's Solo Flight Seymour Kneitel 1961 Tubby and Lulu mind the boy Alvin while they try enjoy their stay at the beach, Alvin giving them a hard time.
Frog's Legs Seymour Kneitel 1961 Tubby takes Lulu to catch some frogs to sell at the restaurant for money, but the frogs only cause chaos in the restaurant.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Jacob, Kathryn Allamong. "Little Lulu Lives Here", Radcliffe Quarterly, Summer 2006.
  2. ^ Little Lulu and Tubby Dark Horse Figures
  3. ^ Kleenex Tissues: Little Lulu
  4. ^ Kleenex Tissues
  5. ^ Maltin, Leonard (1980, rev. 1987). Of Mice and Magic. New York: Plume. Pg. 312
  6. ^ Webb, Graham. The Animated Film Encyclopedia, A Complete Guide to American Shorts, Features and Sequences, 1900–1979. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc, 2000.
  7. ^ McKee, David. "Nerds in Paradise", Las Vegas CityLife, 2 August 2007.
  8. ^ Teenage Little Lulu manga from Brazil

Bibliography

External links