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November 21st, 1941: Tweety Bird Makes Its Debut

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

On November 21, 1941, an animated icon made its first appearance in the Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon “A Tale of Two Kitties.” This was the debut of Tweety Bird, a character who would become a beloved part of the Looney Tunes family. Although Tweety started out looking and acting a bit differently, his early days set the stage for the popular character he would become.

A clip from "A Tale of Two Kitties" featuring Tweety Bird for the first time.
Tweety Bird in his moment of debut with Catstello. (Photo Credit: Unknown author / A Tale of Two Kitties / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

Tweety was created by animator Bob Clampett and voiced by Mel Blanc, known as the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” In this first cartoon, Tweety was called “Orson” and had a more birdlike, rough appearance. Unlike the yellow bird we know today, Tweety was originally a flesh-colored, scrappy character with a mischievous attitude. “A Tale of Two Kitties” featured Babbit and Catstello, a cat duo trying to catch Tweety, only to be constantly outsmarted by him.

Over time, Tweety’s look and personality changed, especially under animator Friz Freleng. Tweety became a bright yellow bird and began his famous partnership with Sylvester the Cat. This cat-and-bird duo became popular in many cartoons, known for their fun chases and clever antics. The 1947 cartoon “Tweety Pie”, featuring both characters, won an Academy Award, showing how much audiences loved their interactions.

From his humble beginnings in 1941, Tweety Bird became a worldwide favorite. His famous line, “I tawt I taw a puddy tat!”, voiced by Mel Blanc, is still remembered by fans of all ages. Tweety’s appeal has gone beyond cartoons, appearing in TV shows, merchandise, and various spin-offs. This shows just how much of an impact he has had on popular culture.

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The debut of Tweety Bird on November 21, 1941, marked the beginning of a long journey for a character who would achieve legendary status. From his early days as a crafty bird to the sweet yellow canary paired with Sylvester, Tweety’s story reflects the creativity of Warner Bros. and the timeless charm of their cartoons.

TVN News Poster

TVN News Poster is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News