Figure 1.--Here we see a pannel from a Blondie strip in 1945. Alexander was pictured as a little boy at the time wearing short pants. He has since become a perpetual teenager. |
|
No list of American cartoons would be complete without Blondie. Blondie was a comic strip created by Murat Bernard "Chic" Young. It was syndicated by King Features Syndicate. The strip was first published on September 8, 1930. The strip proved to be a big hit. The initial strip was about Blondie Boopadoop, an easy going flapper who frequented dance halls, a bit racy for the 1930s. The strip eventually go to Blondie and her weathky boy friend Dagwood Bumstead who came to dominate the strip. They married in 1933. Dagwood was the the son of a wealthy industrialist. His upper-crust family disoned him for marrying Blondie who had a lowly family background. (Wealthy indistrialists were not very popular in the 1930s.) Dagwood was forced to get a humble job with the J.C. Dithers Construction Company. Julius Caesar Dithers proved to be a terror of a boss. He was always attempting to fire poor Dagwood. Dagwood is not exactly the perfect employee. He messes up big assignments and is for ever showing up late to work and falling asleep at his desk. And to Dither's special irritation keeps asking for a raise. Blondie made a conversion from flapper to very proper suburban wife. Blondie and Dagwood from the beginning take up residence in the suburbs.
Blondie was a comic strip created by Murat Bernard "Chic" Young (1901-73).
It was syndicated by King Features Syndicate. The strip was first published on September 8, 1930. The strip proved to be a big hit.
Young once explained the secret behind his strip, with which many identify, to restict the epidodes to eating, sleeping, working, and raising a family. The initial strip was about Blondie Boopadoop, an easy going flapper who frequented dance halls, a bit racy for the 1930s. The strip eventually go to Blondie and her weathky boy friend Dagwood Bumstead who came to dominate the strip. They married in 1933. Dagwood was the the son of a wealthy industrialist. His upper-crust family disoned him for marrying Blondie who had a lowly family background. (Wealthy indistrialists were not very popular in the 1930s.) Dagwood was forced to get a humble job with the J.C. Dithers Construction Company. Julius Caesar Dithers proved to be a terror of a boss. He was always attempting to fire poor Dagwood. Dagwood is not exactly the perfect employee. He messes up big assignments and is for ever showing up late to work and falling asleep at his desk. And to Dither's special irritation keeps asking for a raise. Blondie made a conversion from flapper to very proper suburban wife. Blondie and Dagwood from the beginning take up residence in the suburbs.
Their neigbors are Herb and Tootsie Woodley. Soon a baby arrives, named "Baby Dumpling" who eventually becomes Alexander. Next their daughter named Cookie. The family is complete with thei dog--Daisy. Other important characters are Mr. Beasley (the mailman), Elmo Tuttle (a neighborhood kid who likes Dagwood), Cora Dithers (who dominates her husband ), and Lou (who owns the diner where Dagwood eats lunch). The age of the characters is now frozen, but the kids were originally younger. Alexander began as a little boy, but is now a perpetual teenager. The only major change in the strip is that Blondie now is no longer restricted to the home, but has her own catering business.
I read "Blondie" beginning in the 1950s, but don't recall at this time if clothing ever appeared as a subject of any of the episodes.
A series of films appeared in 1939 and the early 40s. The films ncluded a charming blond boy of 3-6 years old (made over several years) who plays Baby Dumpling and is dressed in a sailor suit and other small boy outfits. Usually he wears rather short shorts, but rarely knee socks. They made quite a number of these films between 1938-42. Larry Lee Simms (1934- ) played Baby Dumpling.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Individual Comic Page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossary]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]