The Moose That Roared: The Story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, a Flying Squirrel, and a Talking Moose

asked by bestseller on November 2, 2006 2:57 PM

Although Rocky and His Friends remains the cleverest and best-loved cartoon series of the baby boom era, information about the creation of the program is notoriously hard to come by. Jay Ward declined to give interviews in his later years, key artists have died, and virtually nothing survives from the hastily organized studio in Mexico City where much of the animation was done. Despite these handicaps, Australian actor Keith Scott, the voice of Bullwinkle in the 2000 film, has assembled an impressively complete studio history.

Unlike other television cartoon producers, Ward and his partner, writer and voice actor Bill Scott, insisted on making shows they thought were funny. The witty scripts, read by a cast of superb voice artists, remain as entertaining today as they were when Rocky debuted in 1959. And, as Scott documents, what occurred off-camera was often just as zany. The Coney Island Film Festival, a lavish publicity stunt to promote "Fractured Flickers," Ward's send-up of silent films, turned into a spectacular disaster when a rainstorm drenched the park--and the guests. The book has some weaknesses: there are only a few black-and-white illustrations, and Scott fails to address the impact of the cartoons--Matt Groening has frequently cited them as an influence on The Simpsons. The often repetitious text would have benefited from judicious editing. These caveats aside, The Moose That Roared will delight the legions of vociferous fans whose love for Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right, George of the Jungle, Super Chicken, Fred, and the rest of the Jay Ward characters continues, 40 years after Rocky began its initial run. Also available: the original cartoons on VHS, the large-format episode guide The Rocky and Bullwinkle Book, and Fractured Fairy Tales, updated by an Entertainment Weekly writer. --Charles Solomon

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Reviews

I really, really wanted to like this book. I was a huge fan of Jay Ward, Bill Scott and the gang who brought us Rocky and Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, Dudley Do-Right and the rest. I've shopped at the Dudley Do-Right Emporium and own a Super Chicken animation cell.

Unfortunately, Keith Scott's true enthusiasm for the subject matter pushes this book about 100 pages beyond what would have been a more reasonable length. I admire his pluck, but wish I had those three hours of my life back. A little editing would have gone a long way.

reviewed by ladyrunner on November 17, 2006 2:47 PM

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Some reviewers have found that Keith Scott's monumental tribute to Jay Ward Productions contains almost too much information to be easily enjoyed. The book deals with the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" TV cartoons only in part; to put the R & B phenomenon into context, Scott takes the reader back to Jay Ward's early days, then details the challenging and often harrowing path Ward took through life: a traumatic, near-fatal accident; unscrupulous business associates; impossible working conditions; constant interference from TV and advertising executives; many attempts to launch other TV and movie projects; and ultimately, disenchantment when the work wasn't very rewarding anymore. Through it all Jay Ward, his partner Bill Scott, and his like-minded staff persevered in their genially nutty way, and created some of the funniest shows ever committed to film.

It's interesting to read about these behind-the-scenes aspects, but the business content overshadows the comedy content on the first reading. The sheer volume of peaks and valleys over 40 years is enough to give any reader a workout. The book is commendably thorough when it comes to dates, places, and people, and the entire gallery of Jay Ward creations is on display, from Crusader Rabbit to Dudley Do-Right, from George of the Jungle to Quaker cereal commercials.

This writer suggests that you read the book a second time. Once you know the back story, the climactic events are easier to digest, and you can savor the narrative's basic, irreverent humor. One of the appendices lists all the pun-filled titles of the Bullwinkle adventures ("Cheerful Little Pierful" or "Bomb Voyage"), and some of these will make you laugh out loud.

If you're a big fan of the Jay Ward canon and/or vintage television, this book is highly recommended for both reading and reference. If you're a casual Rocky and Bullwinkle fan, you may get more than you bargained for.

reviewed by savvy on November 22, 2006 5:51 PM

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In the hands of A.J. Liebling or Jane Kramer, this would have been an excellent book. After all, the subject is superb. But being a Red Sox fan doesn't make you a good hitter, and being a Jay Ward fan doesn't make you witty. Keith Scott has no literary style. The book has none of his subject's wit. It is as if a writer tried to describe Rembrandt by telling you where he bought his paints. The book should have been edited down by at least half. Watch Jay Ward's reruns; forget this boring book.

reviewed by ronmiller on November 24, 2006 11:19 PM

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add a new book!