‘The funnies’ were fine fodder for films

Bill Knight column for 5-30, 31 or 6-1, 2019

Comic-book superheroes have become a cinema staple, from the Avengers and Dark Phoenix to Shazam and the Justice League. But Hollywood also has drawn on newspapers’ comic strips, from Garfield to Marmaduke.

This week in 1894, the first comic-strip character to be a popular star debuted in Truth magazine: “The Yellow Kid” by Richard Felton Outcault. The street urchin eventually appeared, at different times, in Pulitzer’s New York World and Hearst’s New York Journal (leading to the “yellow journalism” description of newspapers’ sensationalistic style).

“Comic strips in newspapers have always been avidly watched by film producers with an eye on the popular market,” wrote John Walker in “Halliwell’s Film Companion.”

Whether Annie or Tarzan, Brenda Starr or Dennis the Menace, Red Ryder or Mandrake the Magician, newspapers’ comics have provided fodder for scripts. Some characters have been so well-liked that multiple films have been made around them: Joe Palooka in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, Li’l Abner three times, Dick Tracy in the ‘30s and decades later, the Lone Ranger in the ’50s, 1981 and 2013.

Here’s a Top 10 of classic Sunday funnies that made the jump from newsprint to the big screen:

“Blondie” (1938-50). Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake were Blondie and Dagwood Bumstead in dozens of enjoyable feature films that helped create the domestic situation comedy long before “I Love Lucy.” The kids, the dog, the boss and the rest all appear – as do future stars in supporting roles: Glenn Ford, Hans Conried, Janet Blair and Lloyd Bridges all performed in at least one Blondie feature.

“Dick Tracy” (1990). Warren Beatty produced and directed himself starring in this stylish interpretation of Chester Gould’s lantern-jawed detective. The visuals are stunning, with colors as garish as newspapers’ primary inks. And the cast is stellar, with Madonna, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Dick Van Dyke, James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Michael J. Pollard and many others. It won three Oscars.

“Li’l Abner” (1959). Chicanery, buffoonery and Broadway songs blend well in this funny adaptation of a stage musical based on Al Capp’s popular strip. Starring Peter Palmer in the title role, it centers on Sadie Hawkins Day, when women were permitted to marry men they can catch. A couple of afterthought subplots don’t distract from the enjoyable silliness and decent tunes, such as “Jubilation T. Cornpone.” Stubby Kaye, Stella Stevens and Julie Newmar co-star.

“Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland” (1992). This animated adventure of Winsor McKay’s comic-strip character features the youngster dreaming of meeting the Dream King, confronting the Nightmare King, considering an offer to rule, and dealing with a kidnapping. Mickey Rooney lends his vocal skills to the cast as the mischievous Flip, a sort of Trickster.

“Little Orphan Annie” (1932). Cartoonist Harold Gray’s sparky, hollow-eyed girl was best done in Hollywood’s first sound version of her hijinx. Edgar Kennedy and May Robson lend their talents to the cast, led by Mitzi Green in the title role.

“The Lone Ranger” (1956). Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels star as the Lone Ranger and Tonto in this feature film based on their successful television series. Here, the heroes are caught between Native Americans who threaten war, and settlers riled up by an evil rancher. Michael Ansara is warrior Angry Horse and Lyle Bettger a land-grabbing villain. Bonita Granville is featured.

“Palooka” (1934). The first filmed version of Ham Fisher’s prize-fighting hero was the best. Stu Erwin is the rural rowdy who overcomes the odds to become a boxing contender. A strong cast enlivens the movie: Jimmy Durante (singing his signature song “Inka-Dinka-Do”), Robert Armstrong and Thelma Todd.

“The Phantom” (1996). Critically panned when released, this film version of Lee Falk’s popular comic strip seems more fun now. Billy Zane stars as the purple-costumed horseman, the latest in a long line of Phantoms who protect the jungle. Here, he fights an industrialist seeking the Skulls of Touganda, which hold the power to rule the world. The adventure’s cast is impressive: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Treat Williams and Patrick McGoohan.

“Popeye” (1980). Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall are outstanding as Popeye and Olive Oyl in filmmaker Robert Altman’s kaleidoscopic version of E.C. Segar’s famous sailor. It’s all here, from Swee’pea to cans of Spinach. Also superior is the company – and the sets! Paul Dooley is hilarious as Wimpy and Ray Walston is great as Pappy.

“Prince Valiant” (1954). Hal Foster’s young Scandinavian prince comes alive in director Henry Hathaway’s affectionate movie starring the young Robert Wagner. The script fleshes out his back story while showing Val meet King Arthur en route to battling the Black Knight and restoring his family to the throne. Janet Leigh, James Mason and Debra Paget co-star, with Sterling Hayden, Neville Brand, Victor McLaglen and Tom Conway. (A 1997 remake is inferior.)