Mister Quincy Magoo is an extremely near-sighted eccentric millionaire. Oblivious to his poor eyesight, he blithely takes to petting wild animals, strolling through construction sites, and walking along the edges of precipices. While he is prone to creating traffic hazards and offending people, he always seems to come through miraculously unscathed and unembarrassed.http://www.toontracker.com/magoo/magoo.htm
Mr. Magoo first appeared in theatrical short cartoons in the 1950s. Four of these were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film, winning in this category in 1954 and 1956.http://www.toontracker.com/magoo/magoo.htm
In addition to the short films, Mr. Magoo also stars in several animated feature films, starting with 1001 Arabian Nights in 1959, directed by Jack Kinney. 1001 Arabian Nights was the first feature-length production by United Productions of America, the animation company that produced the Magoo films.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052527/ Magoo's second feature film was the made-for-television musical Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol in 1962, in which Magoo plays the character Ebenezer Scrooge.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123179/
Background
From Ragtime Bear in 1949 to Terror Faces Magoo in 1959, Mr. Magoo starred in over 50 animated cartoon shorts that played in movie theaters before feature films.http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0022585/ The character was voiced by Jim Backus, who played Thurston Howell III on the television series Gilligan's Island. One of the inspirations for the Magoo character was the comedian comedian W. C. Fields.http://www.toontracker.com/magoo/magoo.htm
The first television series, Mr. Magoo, debuted in 1960 and added 130 short films. Along with Waldo, the series introduced Prezely, a con artist, and Charlie, Magoo's chauffeur.http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0022585/filmoseries#tt1044551
In the 1964 television series, The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, Magoo portrays historical and literary figures, such as Don Quixote, Cyrano DeBergerac, Merlin, Friar Tuck, William Tell, Ulysses and Captain Kidd.http://www.tv.com/the-famous-adventures-of-mr.-magoo/show/5958/summary.html
In 1997 Mr. Magoo was played by Leslie Nielsen in a live-action, eponymous feature film.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119718/ Mr. Magoo made a guest appearance on a 2009 episode of The Family Guy titled "We Love You, Conrad."http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412043/
Quotes
"Oh Magoo! You've done it again!" - Magoo's signature catchphrasehttp://sharetv.org/shows/the_famous_adventures_of_mr_magoo/episodes/465468
"The ugliest child I've ever seen!" - Magoo not realizing the "child" is a monkey http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119718/quotes
"Oh, that Waldo and Presley. What'll they be up to next?" - from Mr. Magoo television series, 1960http://www.tv.com/mr.-magoo/show/35255/episode.html?tag=prev_episode;more
Mr. Magoo drinks Stag beer
Mr. Magoo is up to his typical antics in this 1960s commercial for Stag beer. He talks to his pet goldfish. He wanders out into the ballpark and takes a seat on first base. He offers a beer to the moose head mounted on the wall. He barges into the apartment next door and crashes the party. He finishes by electrocuting the TV repairman.
References
Fast Facts
-
Stars in
Mr. Magoo (1960) and The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo (1964)
-
Born
N/A
-
Voiced by
Jim Backus
-
First appearance
Ragtime Bear (1949)
-
Occupation
Actor
-
Founder of
N/A
-
Related to
His nephew Waldo
-
Age
N/A
-
Created by
John Hubley
-
Full name
Quincy Magoo
-
Awards
Academy Award for Best Short Subject, 1954 and 1956
-
Holiday classic
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962), an adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale
