So I was in the middle of making a quiz about vintage cartoon characters, and as I was watching a Yogi Bear cartoon on YouTube (for research purposes!!!), I started to wonder why he was wearing a tie. He lives in the forest, and there is literally no reason he needs a tie. Actually, why do all old cartoon characters wear ties?
Actually, the reason most old cartoon characters wear something around their neck is that it meant the animators didn’t have to reanimate the whole character every time they talked.
Instead, with the character wearing something around their neck, they could just redraw the head talking, and use the same cell for the character’s body. It’s a technique called “limited animation.”
This kept down cost and sped up production. It honestly makes a lot of sense (and I feel kinda silly for just now noticing as a full adult)! But now that I know this, I can’t unsee cartoon neckwear, and it’s pretty difficult to find an old cartoon who doesn’t have something concealing their neck.
Basically all of the Jetsons (including Rosie) have something around their neck.
Quick Draw McGraw has a bandana.
Huckleberry Hound wears a bowtie.
Almost the entire cast of The Flintstones has something around their neck (with the exception of Barney Rubble).
Scooby-Doo’s conveniently oversized collar separates his body from his head.
And interestingly enough, Tom and Jerry’s necks are hardly shown. Their heads are just laid over their bodies if they aren’t wearing any clothes.
See, his body doesn’t move in this scene, just his head!
OK, well, good luck trying to unsee this any time you watch an old cartoon. I just keep looking at the necks trying to see how they disguise it. Anyway, the more you know!