Ever since the first cartoon shows aired on television, children across the United States celebrated the freedom of weekends with Saturday morning cartoons. For many kids, this was not only a time to escape from the insanity of school but also a moment to (for lack of a better phrase) just be kids. From having rowdy get-togethers to chowing down on sugary cereal, Saturday morning cartoons seemed to be a bit of a cultural phenomenon for the younger generations. So, you would obviously be surprised to hear that some popular cartoons portrayed moments where characters stumbled around in drunken stupors. In fact, some episodes would focus on these moments. So, when did cartoon characters start indulging in America’s most widely marketed addictive drug? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Free Reign over Boozing
During the rise of the Golden Age of Animation in the late 1920s, drunken cartoon characters were right on par with slapstick humor (like slipping on banana peels), and this was greatly due to the fact that (simply put) animators had free reign. Until the 1970s, cartoon studies were not constricted by the Motion Picture Production Code and had the freedom to integrate as much beer, gin, vodka, cocktails, bourbon, and cactus juice as they wanted. For that reason, cartoon icons like Daffy Duck, Goofy, and Dumbo were fully allowed to see enough pink elephants for the kids’ and adults’ leisure.
It Started with a Mouse
Like many aspects of animation on TV and the silver screen, everything started with a mouse, one Micky Mouse, that is. Critics have argued that the first cinematic cartoon to feature bonafide drunkenness is Steamboat Willie: the Gallopin’ Gaucho (the second movie to feature the Disney mascot), in 1929. In one scene, Mickey and his trusted steed (an ostrich) down quarts of beer before riding away in a wriggling, clumsy mess.
From that moment on, the chaos ensued. In 1928, Felix the Cat infamously downs pint after pint of beer before (in a shocking twist) driving home after getting drunk. Later, in 1948, Woody the Woodpecker engaged in a drinking contest with a rival named Buzz Buzzard before using dynamite to blow him up. We can guarantee that this behavior would definitely not be greenlighted nowadays.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism
Hard partying and heavy alcohol consumption do not make a person popular or loved, despite what the drunken people around you may say. Remember, you are much better than the bottle you are holding and can easily regain control, if you are willing to seek out help in the right place. Above all else, love yourself, or you will not find a way to repair your mind and body. With a little patience and perseverance, you will regain your footing on the snowy path to recovery.
If you are suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or alcohol abuse or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
