Rocky and Bullwinkle is one of the most influential animated series ever. Its satirical humor and adult edge gave the animated world the respect that it so rightly deserved and proved to be an inspiration for many other series to come, such as “The Simpsons” and “The Power Puff Girls.” It was the second series to come out of Jay Ward productions (after the short lived “Crusader Rabbit”) and is still its most popular.
Set in the fictional town of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, the series focuses on the adventures of Bullwinkle, a dimwitted moose ,and Rocky, his little flying buddy. The two get themselves involved in one hair brained adventure after another and are usually chased by two spies, Boris and Natasha. Along with the main stories about “Rocky and Bullwinkle” the series also included “Peabody’s Improbable History”, shorts about a time traveling dog and his boy companion, “Dudly Do-Right of the Mounties”, the exploits of a heroic Canadian Mounty, “Fractured Fairy Tales,” a series of parodies of fairy tales, “ Aesop and Son” which features parodies of Aesop’s fables, and two small segments involving Bullwinkle called “Mr. Know it All” and “Bullwinkle’s Corner.”
Rocky and Bullwinkle was a show that was intelligently ridden with jokes that took aim at the Cold War, the military, television networks, and politicians, and was littered with corny, but hilarious puns (Wossamotta U., the law firm of Lamb, Curry, and Rice, a painter named Sir Rulean Blue). The series ran from 1959-1964 and is still considered a classic.
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Characters:
Bullwinkle J. Moose
- The main character is a dimwitted clumsy, but well meaning moose. This big guy often winds up in one hilarious situation after situation, and pulls out of it by sheer luck and coincidence.
VA: Bill Scott
Rocket “Rocky” J. Squirrel
- Bullwinkle’s small furry companion is an adventurous flying squirrel. The sugar glider is naïve and curious like most kids, but he is also brighter than Bullwinkle, because he is able to see through most schemes.
VA: June Foray
Boris Badenov
This Pottsylvanian spy is often sent to cause trouble in one form or another and usually tries to kill Bullwinkle. He is very ruthless, mean, and down right nasty. The nogoodnik usually appears in various disguises that are never recognized by Bullwinkle
VA: Paul Frees
Natasha Fatale
Boris’ “girl fiend” is also his partner in crime. She usually helps out with his schemes, more often doing the manual labor. She is also fiercely devoted to Boris and committing mayhem.
VA: June Foray
Mr. Peabody
The small intelligent white dog invented the WABAC (Way Back) Machine. Now, he goes back in time to meet historical personages such as Cleopatra, George Washington, and Atilla the Hun.
VA: Bill Scott
Sherman
Peabody’s “boy” is a naïve kid who follows Peabody on his travels.
VA: Walter Tetley
Dudley Do-Right
The hero of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police protects the Canada from the forces of evil. He is stalwart, brave, heroic, and about as bright as a ten- watt bulb.
VA: Bill Scott
Nell Fenwick
Dudley’s devoted girlfriend is a sweet girl, but has an abnormal attraction to Dudley’s horse.
VA: June Foray
Inspector Fenwick
Dudley’s boss and Nell’s father sends Dudley off on his missions, but is slightly flustered by his antics
VA: Paul Frees
Snidely Whiplash
Dudley’s archenemy is a sleazy shady character that always schemes to do evil and take advantage of the Mountie
VA: Hans Conreid
Aesop
The narrator of the famous fables often tries to instill moral lessons to teach his son.
VA: Charles Ruggles
Aesop Junior
Aesop’s devoted son is an attentive listener, but loves to turn Dear Old Dad’s stories around and make light of them.
VA: Daws Butler
The Narrators
They narrate the happenings of Bullwinkle, Dudley, and the Fairy Tales. Quite often these sarcastic wise guys will provide commentary and argue back and forth with the characters.
VA: William Conrad (“Rocky and Bullwinkle”), Paul Frees (“Dudley Do-Right”), Edward Everett Horton (“Fractured Fairy Tales”)
Fun Facts:
~ The show went through at least three name changes, “Rocky and his Friends” (when it was first released). “The Bullwinkle Show” (starting in 1961) to “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” (when it was released on home video in 1991).
~ The show was made on a shoestring budget and animated in a studio in Mexico City. Ward, himself, never cared for the animation itself calling it substandard.
~ Ponsonby Britt, O.B.E. the shows “executive producer” does not exist. It was a name that Scott and Ward made up for their production duties. They went so far as to give Britt a complete biography.
~ Bill Scott, one of the executive producers of the show never went credited for the voices of Bullwinkle, Dudley, and Peabody. Indeed some biographies err by saying Paul Frees did the voice of Bullwinkle.
~ Rocky and Bullwinkle’s middle initials J. don’t stand for anything. They are homages to their creator, Jay Ward, whose given name was J. Tropolong Ward (J. didn’t stand for anything in his name either). This tribute was later recreated in “the Simpsons” with Homer and Bart’s middle initials also being J.
~ The popular “Wossamotta U” episode was made because of Ward’s obsession with college football.
~ Dudly Do-Right and Nell Fenwick are intended parodies of movie actors, Nelson Eddy and Jeannette Mc Donald.
~ Nell’s age is given at 37 ½ years old. She is the only member of the cast to have their age revealed.
~ Mr. Peabody’s look is based on actor Clifton Webb
~ Another VA error that some, including myself, had believed was that June Foray played Sherman, when in fact it was Tetley. Walter Tetley was an adult when he played the voice of Peabody’s “boy.” He had a hormonal condition which resulted in him staying short, and never going through puberty, so his voice never changed (Much like Baby Doll in “Batman: The Animated Series”) Tetley also had some severe health problems and died in 1975.
~ Boris and Natasha were modeled after Gomez and Morticia Addams.
~ Boris Badenov’s name is a play on an operatic character, Boris Godenov.
~ Boris’ curse, “Rapskalikov” is a reference to the protagonist, Rapskailkov in Dovstoyevsky’s nove “Crime and Punishment.”
~ Natasha’s last name is and always was Fatale. Some bios get confused by saying her last name was once Nogoodnik. They are not true, but “Nogoodnik” is a term used by the narrator to describe them.
~ Bill Scott and June Foray later reunited to play Gruffi and Grammi Gummi in “The Gummi Bears”. Scott continued to play Gruffi and Toady until his death in 1985. The roles of Gruffi and Toady were then played by long-time Rocky and Bullwinkle Fan, Cory Burton.
~ Ward and all of the main Rocky and Bullwinkle actors are deceased except June Foray. ( Horton and Ruggles in 1970, Tetley in 1975, Conried in 1982, Scott in 1985, Frees in 1986,Butler in 1988, Ward in 1989, Conrad in 1994, ). Foray still continues to voice act and has lent her voice to various characters including Ma Beagle and the Natasha sounding- Magica De Spell in Ducktales, Granny Fa in Mulan, and various others.
~ Auburn Red
Something different:
Special Recommendations:
I should mention the book, “The Moose That Roared or the story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, The Talking Moose, and the Flying Squirrel” by Keith Scott- A must-read for Rocky and Bullwinkle fans, it details the making of the series and the lives of the people involved. It is also the source for much of the trivia and quotes for this page. :D
~ Auburn Red
Favorite quotes:
Boris: Natasha, I got bad idea
Natasaha: You mean good idea
Boris: You know me, Natasha. Nothing is goodRocky: Bullwinkle, do you know what A-Bomb is?
Bullwinkle: Sure, Rock, it’s what some people think our program is.
Rocky: I don’t think that’s very funny, Bullwinkle
Bullwinkle: Neither do they apparentlyRocky: I must say I’m disappointed Bullwinkle
Bullwinkle: Well, go ahead and say it.
Rocky: I’m disappointed
Bullwinkle and Rocky (though Rocky sounds bored): And I’m Bullwinkle.(oft repeated line) Bullwinkle: Hey, Rocky watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.
(oft repeated line) Rocky (on Boris and Natasha): That voice, where have I heard that voice before?
Narrator: And there was Bullwinkle looking like a very unusual chandelier
Rocky: Bullwinkle, what are you doing?
Bullwinkle: You heard the man, I am a very unusual chandelier.Natasha: So, what is the wictim’s name?
Boris: The name is unimportant
Natasha: Strange name
Boris: I thought so too.Boris: Natasha, you will never guess who is on other side of door.
Natasha: Peabody and Sherman?Narrators: And it looked like our heroes were gooners
Bullwinkle: That’s goners!Boris: How many u’s are in Moose?
Natasha: Let’s see M-U-S-E, two.Bullwinkle: So, what, Miss Sympathy did you think you were going to accomplish with all of your lying?
Karen Sympathy: I don’t know, I didn’t write the script! I’m only one of the characters!Fearless Leader: Gentlemen, I’m afraid your hour has come
Bullwinkle: Is that standard or daylights savings time?(The boys are riding in a taxi when they realize that the driver is a dummy)
Rocky: He’s a dummy
Bullwinkle: Please Rock-you are speaking of our host
Rocky: No, Bullwinkle he really is a dummy. You know what that means!
Bullwinkle: Yes, he must have cheated on his driver’s testNarrator: Will Bullwinkle be able to extricate himself
Bullwinkle: Sure, as soon as I get loose.Narrator: Pottsylvania was a country composed entirely of spies. Even as schoolchildren, Pottsylvanians were taught only the ABC’s- Assasination, bomb throwing, and conspiracy with an occasional course in advanced sneaking and prowling.
Teacher: Congratulations, Feodor, you graduated Magna Cum Louse.
Narrator; And every conversation had at least two meanings
Gottswold: Hello Vanya
Narrator: Translation: We’re going to blow up city hall tonight.
Vanya: Hello Gottswold, how’s the boy?
Narrator: Translation: Sounds like fun who will be inside?
Gottswold: Just fine thanks
Narrator: Translation: Who cares?
Vanya: Well see you later, Gottswold.
Narrator: Translations: The party starts at seven. Bring your own bomb.
Gottswold: Bye bye Vanya.
Narrator: Translation: Bye bye Vanya
(Vanya gets blown sky high)Rocky: You know what we need a good hiccups doctor.
Natasha: Boris you heard
Boris: I heard
Natasha: Dollink, then you are supposed to be in disguise as hiccups doctor
Boris: Natasha, I can’t do it.
Natasha: Boris, why not?
Boris: This time they are sure to recognize me.
Nartasha: They never have
Boris: 79 disguises I have done on those two –and not once did they recognize me
Natasha: So?
Boris: The law of averages is turning against me.
Natasha: It wouldn’t dare. Boris, you are forgetting article six of “The Villain’s Handbook”.
Boris: Article Six?
Natasha: Yes, look here.
Boris (reads): There is nobody so stupid as the heroes of a TV cartoon show. Well, maybe you are right. Come on.
Rocky: As I was saying, what we need-
Boris: Allow me to introducing myself.
Rocky: Who are you?
Boris: I am the ship’s medical officer.
Bullwinkle: Ship’s doc?
Boris: Of course, they do.
Rocky: That voice, where have I heard that voice?
Natasha: See dollink?
Boris: I see it, but I don’t believe it.~ Auburn Red
Comments:I have rarely felt so good putting up a show page as I did this one. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle was one of my favorite shows ever. I never missed it. Each week, there I was, sitting on the floor in front of the TV, my eyes and ears glued to the screen, ready to laugh. As an adult, I enjoy it even more, as incredible as that seems. It's the only show I've seen which, in quality of humor, can compete with Looney Tunes.
~ Kat
This page created by Auburn Red