| Beachcomber Bill | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Bill |
|
First Appearance |
'Two Wet Bears (1950) |
|
Original Publisher |
Tempe-Toons |
|
Created by |
Sam Singer |
Origin[]
Beachcomber Bill is a large, well built man (resembling a bargain rendition of Popeye; in prevention of this travesty, please remember to buy your cartoon sailors premium in future) with a large chin, anchor tattoos on his forearms and dressed in a sailor's uniform, complete with a captain's cap. His birth name is unknown; while presumably "William", the absurdism of the show's reality suggests that "Beachcomber" may in fact be his legal first name, assuming that any kind of organized government actively exists within the blank void in which the show is typically set.
His personality has been shown as an abrasive individual, that actually makes sound decisions based on logical information given. However, he seems prone to extreme means of solving problems, such as wanting to eat the bears claiming them as his only supply of food. He is also shown to be highly determined in his endeavors, having the bears cooked being his top priority to the point of chasing them up a tree, using both a harpoon and axe to get at them. Knowing how to cook with the few supplies he has on his island, this makes him very resourceful similar to the other major villain in the series.
Beachcomber Bill is located on a remote island in the short, Two Wet Bears. He finds the bears among the wreckage of his boat, which was his only way to get back to the mainland for food and supplies. Though the bears try to explain their innocence, Bill does not believe their story and intends to cook the bears to live off their meat until someone comes to rescue him. Paddy them comes to spoil the fun by being all sympathetic and tries to save the bears. Bill won't tolerate the interloping avian, and thus goes after the bears while Paddy continues to be a nuisance. In the end the bears escape, leaving Bill without his bear vittles. It is assumed that Bill is eventually rescued as Paddy does see a ship and wonders if he should let them know to rescue Bill.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Animation[]
- The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican
- Two Wet Bears
Notes[]
- Due to having incomplete animation, rambling seemingly-improvised voices, and discorded organ music, The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican is considered to be one of the worst cartoons ever made, and is most famous for its appearance on animation historian Jerry Beck's public domain compilation DVD Worst Cartoons Ever!, where he is seen on the cover with a dunce hat doing school detention.
- The Adventures of Paddy the Pelican's copyright date is listed as 1954, despite having aired in 1950.
- Beachcomber Bill's voice is strikingly similar to Paddy's, including having the squawking quality in his voice as well.