Here’s one for the ages, so for those who don’t know the words, look below the video.
If you’re on the highway and Road Runner goes beep beep.
Just step aside or might end up in a heap.
Road Runner, Road Runner runs on the road all day.
Even the coyote can’t make him change his ways.
Road Runner, the coyote’s after you.
Road Runner, if he catches you you’re through.
Road Runner, the coyote’s after you.
Road Runner, if he catches you you’re through.
That coyote is really a crazy clown,
When will he learn he can never mow him down?
Poor little Road Runner never bothers anyone,
Just runnin’ down the road’s his idea of having fun.
Lyrics source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com
History
Created by Chuck Jones (Interview with him below) for Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies
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48 shorts (majority by Chuck Jones) with Wile E Coyote (his tribute here)
First: Fast and Furry-ous (Sept. 17, 1949)
Last: Sugar and Spies (1966) (directed by Robert McKimson)
Beep Prepared (1961) received an Academy Award nomination
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Additional TIdbits
Road Runner only vocalizes “Beep, Beep” by Paul Julian
#38 (with Wile E Coyote) on TV Guide’s list of 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters
Road Runner also known as Acceleratii incredibus, Velocitus tremenjus, Hot-roddicus supersonicus, Speedipus Rex, Velocitus delectiblus, Delicius delicius, Dig-outius tid-bittius, Tastyus supersonicus, Birdibus zippibus, Birdius high-ballius, Burnius-roadibus, Super-sonicus-tastius, Batoutahelius, Velocitus incalcublii, Digoutius-hot-rodis, Fastius tasty-us, Tid-bittius velocitus, Super-Sonnicus idioticus, Disappearialis quickius, Burn-em upus asphaltus, Semper food-ellus, Ultra-sonicus ad infinitum, Boulevardius-burnupius, Morselus babyfatius tastius, Geococcyx californianus
Road Runner cartoons follow the laws of cartoon physics
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See wonderful pics of a real road runner by visiting Cindy Knoke
The Road Runner Show aired on CBS from September 1966 to September 1968
Merged with The Bugs Bunny Show to create The Bugs Bunny Road Runner Hour (1968-1985)
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Comic history includes Dell Comics (1958-1962) and Gold Key (1966-1983)
Enjoy this tribute to Road Runner
I did enjoy the Road Runner and in some way felt sorry for the Coyote, never managed to get things right… feel a bit like him with some of my bird photography, never quite manage to capture the shot I want….
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Bulldog,
There’s no doubt that RR is a universal favorite. I hope you visiting Cindy’s site to see the real RR. She a fantastic photographer.
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I did see it a while back… a week or so ago… actually quite the ugly guy but I would love to capture one or two on camera myself… Cindy is one of the best photographers I follow, when it comes to birds etc…
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Glad you saw that one … of course I didn’t look before making the suggestion. 😉 …. and yes, Cindy is very good. 🙂
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I wanted Coyote to catch the Roadrunner just once!
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Debra,
Interestingly, go to YouTube, then search WIle catches Roadrunner … there are several versions out there.
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I love, love, love this review! Especially the video of Chuck Jones drawing the two characters. Art in action, beep, beep! The physics lessons are cool too. Thanks.
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Patti,
Alright… you watch a couple of the clips I wasn’t sure anyone would watch. You made my day. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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Thanks for the nostalgic trip there! I always loved Road Runner. I was always fascinated by this mysterious Acme company where you could buy ANYTHING! Such fun.
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Vanessa,
Great point … so I found this one for you … http://www.wired.com/design/2012/12/acme-poster-kickstarter/ … and Acme on Wikipedia will provide some history.
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Ah, Frank, that was a wonderful surprise! This guy accompanied my childhood years [he was even on my sheets!] and he was actually responsible for my love for animals. Because of the coyote I learned to respect all beings. Amazing what a cartoon can do to a child’s mind! Needless to say that I still expect some justice for poor coyote! 🙂 Have a great weekend! 🙂
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Marina,
Glad you picked one that is close to your heart. As I mentioned to Debra, YouTube has several versions of Wile catching RR .. I find them funny. Cheers to your love and respect for animals …. Oh … Visit Cindy’s link for the real RR as she is a very good photographer.
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I know I know, she is indeed!! 😉
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Beep Beep!
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GFB,
Which means you know this one!
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Love road runner. A blogging friend TexWisGirl on blogspot calls him “skinny chicken”. Thank you for the lyrics. I’ll be singing them today…earworm.
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Georgette,
Glad to know that I may have gotten a song in your head for the entire day!
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Now there is a cartoon I enjoyed and still do. If the grandkids are watching cartoons, I switch the tv from the modern cartoon crap to some Looney Tunes channel. There is just no comparison. Burn-em upus asphaltus is one of the best ever.
In September, we went to OK to visit our son. While driving to a hiking location, we saw a road runner. I think that is the first time I ever saw one.
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Jim,
I did a quick search for a RR distribution map, which is basically from Louisiana’s eastern border, but to the southern Missouri border, then westward to California. … and yes, they don’t make them like they used to, and it’s not even close.
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My dad liked to cook breakfast on Sat. morning. He was a terrible cook. He would make eggs and fried potatoes (a little burnt on the outside and a little raw in the middle – I had to cover them with ketchup to eat them) and we would eat breakfast and watch the Bugs n RR hour. I remember doing that for years n years on Sat’s with him. (thanks for the memories, Frank!)
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Hood,
Glad I stimulated a lasting family memory! At least a dad you can’t cook, but kept cookie meant well
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Oh, aFrankA…you make my heart sing!
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Hey there Raye,
Glad you enjoyed this … and your last line reminded me of Wild Thing by The Troggs … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hce74cEAAaE
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Loved the history video of the Roadrunner cartoons, especially the story of the “beep beep” and the cartoon drawing. I must admit that the scene of the coyote with binoculars in the “Fast and Furry-ous” cartoon reminded me a lot of my dog by the front door, ogling the squirrels and chipmunks that she is committed to chasing. Thanks for the Saturday morning fun, Frank!
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Lynn,
Interesting how a cartoon with so little dialogue is a classic with many memorable moments that make us laugh!
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Perhaps simplicity is the most powerful way to communicate 🙂
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Well said!
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i’m surprised you hadn’t done this one before because of its popularity – at least with me. and isn’t it all about me? loved the episodes in which the only dialogue at all was “beep beep.” although there is controversy over whether it was “beep” or “meep.” loved the fake holes that the coyote would employ and then fall through himself. the giant magnets, roller-skate/jetpack, and other devices from Acme.
and don’t forget this moment…
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Rich,
I don’t really have an order to these …. but whoever strikes my fancy at the time … but I do have a list. See the link in my reply to Vanessa.
Oh the Seinfeld moment is classic! I must tag that one because I know it will come in handy.
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have you kept strictly to animation or work in any live-action shows?
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My theme has been cartoons from my childhood era … but I wonder if time will include Howdy Dowdy.
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that would be the place to start, if you were going to go that route.
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I used to love watching these when I was a kid. And now as an adult I admire the amount of work that went into creating it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Frank 🙂
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Colline,
RR is a classic that is loved and enjoyed globally!
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One of my favourites, Frank! Hot-roddicus supersonicus indeed!
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Tom,
I knew this one would be an obvious hit!
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I loved watching the RoadRunner and Coyote, and I believe every kid wanted an Acme company down the street.
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Catherine,
I think in Vanessa’s comment I provided a link that a must-see poster. Glad you enjoy RR.
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One of the greatest. I’d have him a lot higher then #38 though.
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Fasab,
I’m with you as the ranking caused almost as much consternation as a puns post.
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We used to visit my husband’s sister in Arizona and watch the road runners. To a one, every adult would always give a “beep beep” I loved Wile E. Coyote and always enjoyed the Road Runner cartoons. These are such fun video clips. They bring back lots of memories. 🙂
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Debra,
The thought of all the adults doing the beep-beep to the real birds makes me laugh! Cheers to another reader who appreciates this classic.
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Thank you, this was so enjoyable dear Frank, you are amazing. Love, nia
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Nia,
thank you for your continual kindness!
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We all respected Wilie E. Coyote for his tenacity, but wondered if he had heard the old saying “There’s no education the second time you’re kicked by a mule.”
Also wondering the what/where of your new Deep Space header? (From the Hubble telescope I presume)
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Tim,
Wile E was definitely tenacious!
The header is from Chandra (NASA), mentioned on the last OITS and in the Past Headers page.
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I LOVE the roadrunner, Frank. It was always my favorite show as a kid and I still like it. The coyote always got hammered from his own machinations. I guess a lesson that we’re always the ones responsible for our own choices? Anyway, I’ll never forget the first time I saw a real roadrunner in New Mexico – I was so excited! And I thought: he looks like the one in the cartoons! 🙂 Great post, as usual.
Cathy
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Cathy,
I don’t know if I’ve ever knowingly seen a roadrunner in the wild. … but hey …. glad you enjoyed this one and good point about life lessons.
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I loved the Road Runner cartoons. I truly believe that Wile E. Coyote’s travails helped to prepare me for life as a Miami Dolphins fan.
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Cayman,
Cheers to your love for RR cartoons. After all, I wonder how many one couldn’t enjoy them!
Meanwhile, the Bengals are up 14-0 on the J-E-T-S, so I hope the same doesn’t happen as it did to your team who was up by the same score.
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Roadrunner cartoons were among the best made…loaded with sight gags.
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Hansi,
I like your term “sight gags” because that is a wonderful descriptor for the cartoon with so little dialogue.
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Are you testing us Frank? That “Fast and Furry-ous” you posted is a very well made fake! The Coyote in every Warner Brothers Roadrunner cartoon never caught the Road Runner, but here he does! Whoever posted it on YouTube was very careful with what they called it: “Coyotte & Bip-Bip”. Here’s the “true story” of what happened in “Fast and Furry-ous”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_and_Furry-ous
I loved these characters and they’re in many of the most inventive gags Chuck Jones ever created. I especially loved the Coyote’s use of blueprints. You’d think the government would value an ingenious mind like his, but alas, if the Coyote had a real job, there would be no more chases. Did I ever send you the link to his lawsuit vs. Acme as written by the humorist Ian Frazier?
http://www.jamesfuqua.com/lawyers/jokes/coyote-acme.shtml
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Lame,
Oh no … I’m not the testy type. As a matter of fact, I rely on you as the one keeping me in check. Great catch – and that video is off of this post.
Also, many thanks for the Frazier piece. What a hoot! … and I will bring it to everyone’s attention in a future OITS! Cheers to your additional information!!!!
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Frank, a few years ago, Warner Brothers brought back this dynamic duo in a hilarious CGI short. Check it out here:
http://www.strangebeaver.com/2011/02/new-3d-road-runner-cartoon/
Glad you liked the Frazier piece. It’s a classic.
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How did I miss this gem? I love the Road Runner! Always felt sympathy for Wile E Coyote though.
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Audra,
It was just posted yesterday … and RR has many fans … and many have feelings for Wile … so you aren’t alone.
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Frank,
I don’t know if I am the only one one who is not getting notices of your posts. And Road Runner? My favorite! Ire-subscribed.
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🙂 … and as we know, WP gets selectively quirky at times. Heck, I thought you were simply overly busy.
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I thought you just extended your time off!
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Nonetheless, good to have you back!
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I reread this one this morning — I do love RR!
But I couldn’t open the other link. It may be a mystery for a while!
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How about this one? https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/on-a-fall-walk/
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I went through all of the posts I missed quickly. You’ve been busy!
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Normal busy …. but thought you would like a calm walk.
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Love the roadrunner! lol I used to watch as a kid.
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Kev,
Welcome first-time commenter … and the love for Roadrunner is universal!
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