Obituary: Bill Melendez

Sep 11 2008 by David Charters, Liverpool Daily Post

THIS son of a Mexican cavalry officer led a strike of animators, which would have stilled Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and all the others, if their creator, Walt Disney, had not allowed his studio staff to join a union.

After that success, Jose Cuauhtemoc Melendez, popularly known as Bill, turned his genius to Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, as a prelude to his great triumph – giving sound and movement to some of the most popular characters in the world.

Admirers loved the Peanuts cartoon strip, telling of the canine aviator and wit, Snoopy, and his “master” Charlie Brown, the philosophising loser, who gave a wonderful counter to American brashness and ambition. And, of course, with Charlie and Snoopy came the whole parade, including Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty and Woodstock the bird.

But those admirers were uncertain about sound and movement for their favourites, created in 1950 by Charles “Sparky” Schulz.

Their fears were unfounded. In 1965, Coca Cola had ex- pressed interest in sponsoring a Charlie Brown Christmas special. The first featured Linus reading from St Luke, as well as a cool jazz score. From then on, for many families, the films became an integral part of the American Christmas.

Schulz and Melendez got on famously, despite their different approaches to life, with Schulz meticulous and dedicated, while jovial Mendelez displayed an easier manner, while cultivating a moustache which could have doubled as a hedge.

Melendez was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, and given his Aztec middle-name by his father. He studied art at the Choinard Institure, Los Angeles.

In 1938, he was hired by Walt Disney and, in addition to drawing Mickey Mouse, worked on feature films, including Bambi, Fantasia and Dumbo. His time there ended soon after the 1941 strike which led to the strict Disney recognising the Screen Cartoonists’ Guild. Then came Warner Brothers, working on Bugs Bunny and Co.

In 1964, he started his own studio with Lee Mendelson and, having already done some animated Peanuts commercials, started the Christmas shows. Schulz wanted children’s voices and to keep Snoopy silent. But Melendez had experimented with a speeded-up tape, producing sounds, which would become Snoopy’s voice.

Melendez, married with two sons, made 75, half-hour Peanuts specials; the mini-series, This is America, Charlie Brown; and four full-length films.

Bill Melendez, animator; born November 15, 1916, died September 2, 2008.