TAZ
TAZ PAGE 1
THE STORY OF TAZ
The Tasmanian
Devil is one of Warner Bros.' most popular and identifiable Looney Tunes characters. This
is an amazing accomplishment since his filmography consisted of five shorts until 1991 (a
span of 37 years) when he debuted in his own series, "Taz-Mania."
The Tasmanian Devil was the result of Warner Bros. Animation's search for a more
aggressive (albeit foolhardy) antagonist for Bugs Bunny. The Devil debuted in Robert
McKimson's 1954 short, "Devil May Hare," as a wild, snarling, omnivorous
whirlwind with an endless appetite who devoured everything in his path. He sent every
forest animal - running for cover -- except Bugs Bunny. After a series of failed efforts
to rid himself of the devilish nuisance, Bugs placed an ad in the "Tasmanian Post
Dispatch" for a "lonely lady Devil, object: matrimony." She arrived in the
nick of time to haul away her startled bridegroom.
The Tasmanian Devil's frenzied antics almost ended with that first cartoon when Executive
Producer Edward Selzer told McKimson that he did not like the destructive character and
instructed McKimson to retire the Devil. However, studio chief Jack Warner ordered Selzer
to revive the Tasmanian Devil, after noticing the rambunctious character's conspicuous
absence.
The Tasmanian Devil, who later became more affectionately known as "Taz,"
reappeared in the 1957 short "Bedeviled Rabbit." This second pairing of Taz and
Bugs found the two at odds after Bugs has stowed away in a box of carrots headed to
Tasmania. Once again, the She Devil came to Bugs' rescue -- this time as a dominating Mrs.
Taz. Later that year, Taz co-starred with Daffy Duck in "Ducking the Devil,"
forcing - the frazzled quacker to earn every penny of a $5000 reward to return Taz to the
zoo.
In 1979, Taz appeared as a demented Santa Claus in "Fright Before Christmas," a
short in the "Bugs Bunny Looney Tunes Christmas Tales" television special.
In addition to appearances on the Saturday morning "The Bugs Bunny & Tweety
Show," Taz currently stars in his own television series, "Taz-Mania," (65
half-hours) on the Fox Children's Network. The show evolves around an 18-year-old Taz who
lives in a rustic cave with his father, Hugh; his mother, Jean; four-year-old brother,
Jake; 12-year old-sister, Molly and a pet turtle named Dog. When not working as a bellhop
at the Hotel Tasmania or eating everything in sight, Taz keeps company with his best
friend, Buddy Boar; avoids being captured by Bull Gator and his sidekick, Axl; and
outsmarts Francis X. Bushiad, son of a tribal chieftain.
This page was last updated on 23 January 2002
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Tasmanian Devil characters and other Looney Tune
Characters, Names and all other related indicia are Trademark of Warner Brothers.
NO challenge to their ownership is intended or
implied.
This document is for enjoyment and material MAY NOT be reproduced for
monetary gain or any other form of payment without the consent from Warner Brothers.
