Ben Hardaway

Joseph Benson Hardaway (May 21, 1895 – February 5, 1957) was an American storyboard artist, animator, voice actor, gagman, writer and director for several American animation studios during the golden age of American animation. He was sometimes credited as J. B. Hardaway, Ben Hardaway, B. Hardaway and Bugs Hardaway.

Army service Hardaway enlisted in World War I on June 4, 1917, and was discharged on April 9, 1919, serving for 26 months in total. He was led in the 129th Field Artillery Regiment by future President of the United States Harry S. Truman, in which he attended his reception planned by Forrest Smith at the Shoreham Hotel in 1949 and his inauguration, following him being re-elected. Hardaway served the last 14 months of his service in France.

Artistic career Hardaway started his career at the Kansas City Post as a cartoonist and in 1921, illustrated a book by James W. Earp called Boomer Jones, a character created in the late 1910s by Earp, before eventually going into the animation business, working for the Kansas City Film Ad Service. He later worked for the Walt Disney Productions animation unit and Animated Pictures Corp., after which Hardaway was hired by the Leon Schlesinger studio as a gagman for the Friz Freleng unit. He was promoted to director for seven Buddy animated shorts. Afterwards he resumed working as a gagman and storyman. He started receiving film credits in 1937. His writing credits include Daffy Duck & Egghead and The Penguin Parade.

While at the Schlesinger/Warner Bros. studio during the late 1930s, Hardaway served as a storyman. He co-directed several Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts with Cal Dalton during Freleng's two-year exodus to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Producer Leon Schlesinger needed a replacement for Freleng, Frank Tashlin taking over Freleng's unit, and Hardaway's previous experience in the job resulted in his promotion. Dalton's original co-director was storymen Cal Howard, before he left for Fleischer Studios. In 1938, Hardaway co-directed Porky's Hare Hunt, the first film to feature a rabbit. When this unnamed, embryonic rabbit was given a new model sheet for a later short, since, according to Chuck Jones, Hardaway "didn't draw it very well", designer Charlie Thorson inadvertently offered a permanent name by titling the model sheet "Bugs' Bunny" since it was meant for Hardaway's unit. By the time the rabbit was redesigned and refined for the film A Wild Hare, the name was already being used in relation to the character in studio publicity materials. The name Bugs' Bunny shows up in comics and merchandise as late as 1943.

When Freleng left MGM to return to Warner Bros. in 1939, Hardaway was demoted back to storyman. In 1940, Hardaway joined the staff of Walter Lantz Productions, where he helped Walter Lantz in creating the studio's most famous character, Woody Woodpecker. Hardaway wrote or co-wrote most of the stories for the Woody Woodpecker shorts between late 1940 and early 1951, as well as supplying Woody's voice between 1944 and 1949 (sources claiming that Hardaway was the first person to succeed Mel Blanc as Woody's voice after Blanc signed an exclusive contract with Warner Bros. are incorrect: Danny Webb, Kent Rogers, and Dick Nelson provided the voice of Woody between Blanc and Hardaway).

Shamus Culhane, the director of most of the Woody cartoons between 1944 and 1946, thought Hardaway's humor was crude and formulaic. Nevertheless, the collaboration worked, and many consider this the golden era of Woody cartoons. In 1948, Lantz temporarily shut down his studio, and Hardaway would briefly return to Warner Bros., writing the short A Bone for a Bone. When Lantz reopened in 1950, Hardaway did not return, although two shorts he had written before he left were finished with his name appearing on screen for a final time.

Death Hardaway died from cancer at the age of 61 on February 5, 1957, supposedly as a result of a long-term effect of exposure to chemical weapons during World War I. The last project he worked on was Adventures of Pow Wow at Tempe-Toons, although he only wrote four episodes, which have lost audio.

Filmography Leon Schlesinger Productions TitleRelease DateRoleSeriesNotesBuddy of the Apes 1934 DirectorLooney TunesFirst cartoon directed by Hardaway. Features Buddy.Rhythm in the BowMerrie MelodiesFinal Black & White Merrie Melodie, following this short they would all be produced in Technicolor (2-hue until late 1935).Buddy's Adventures Looney Tunes Features Buddy.Buddy the DentistBuddy of the Legion 1935Buddy's Pony ExpressBuddy's TheatreBuddy in AfricaFinal cartoon directed by Hardaway during his first stint as a director. Features Buddy.Daffy Duck & Egghead 1938 Writer Merrie Melodies Features Daffy Duck and Egghead.The Penguin ParadePorky's Hare HuntDirector (with Cal Dalton, uncredited)Looney TunesFirst cartoon co-directed with animator Cal Dalton. First appearance of the rabbit who would become Bugs Bunny. Features Porky Pig.Love and Curses Director with Cal DaltonMerrie MelodiesPorky the GobLooney TunesFeatures Porky Pig.Count Me OutMerrie MelodiesFinal appearance of Egghead.It's an Ill Wind 1939Looney Tunes Features Porky Pig.Gold Rush Daze Merrie MelodiesBars and Stripes ForeverPorky and TeabiscuitLooney TunesFeatures Porky Pig.Hobo Gadget Band Merrie MelodiesHare-um Scare-umFeatures the rabbit from Porky's Hare Hunt. Sioux MeFagin's FreshmanPorky the Giant KillerLooney TunesBusy Bakers 1940 Merrie MelodiesFinal cartoon co-directed with Cal Dalton, final cartoon directed by Hardaway at Schlesinger's studio.Confederate Honey WriterFeatures Elmer Fudd.The Bear's TalePorky's Baseball BroadcastLooney TunesLittle BlabbermouseMerrie MelodiesFinal Warner Bros. cartoon written by Hardaway for over a decade. Final Merrie Melodie to be worked on by Hardaway. Features a W. C. Fields caricature which would later be used for Andy Panda's father at the Lantz studio.

Walter Lantz Productions TitleRelease DateRoleSeriesNotesRecruiting Daze 1940 Writer with Lowell ElliotA Walter Lantz CartuneFirst cartoon written at Walter Lantz Productions where Hardaway would work until the studio shut down in 1948. First short co-written with Lowell Elliott. Features Punchy.Knock KnockAndy PandaDebut of Woody Woodpecker (here unnamed). Hardaway applied a similar personality onto the woodpecker that he had developed for the prototypical Bugs Bunny, while at Schlesinger's.Syncopated SiouxA Walter Lantz CartuneFeatures Punchy.Mouse Trappers 1941 WriterAndy PandaFirst short in which Andy Panda's father is based on W. C. Fields.Fair Today A Walter Lantz CartuneScrub Me Mama with a Boogie BeatA precursor to the Swing Symphonies. Has been banned from circulation since 1949.Hysterical Highspots in American HistoryDizzy KittyAndy PandaSalt Water DaffyWriter with Lowell Elliott A Walter Lantz CartuneFinal appearance of Punchy.Woody WoodpeckerWriter with Jack Cosgriff Woody WoodpeckerFirst Woody Woodpecker short. First short co-written with Jack Cosgriff.Andy Panda's PopWriter with Lowell Elliott A Walter Lantz CartuneThe ScrewdriverWriter with Jack Cosgriff (erroneously credited as J. Cosgrove)Woody WoodpeckerBoogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company "B"Writer with Lowell Elliott A Walter Lantz Cartune A precursor to the Swing Symphonies.Man's Best FriendWriter with Jack Cosgriff Last short co-written with Jack Cosgriff, during his first stint at the studio.Pantry Panic Writer with Lowell Elliott Woody Woodpecker$21 a Day (Once a Month)Swing Symphony The first Swing Symphony.Under the Spreading Blacksmith Shop 1942Andy PandaFinal appearance of Andy Panda's father.The Hollywood MatadorWoody WoodpeckerThe Hams That Couldn't Be CuredSwing Symphony Mother Goose on the LooseA Walter Lantz Cartune Final short co-written with Lowell Elliott.Good-Bye Mr. Moth Writer with ’Chuck’ Couch Andy PandaFirst short co-written with ‘Chuck’ Couch.Nutty Pine CabinAce in the HoleWriter with Milt SchafferWoody WoodpeckerFirst short co-written with Milt Schaffer, whom Hardaway would collaborate with the most during his tenure at the studio.Juke Box JamboreeWriter with ‘Chuck’ CouchSwing SymphonyLast short co-written with ‘Chuck’ Couch.Pigeon Patrol Writer with Milt Schaffer A Walter Lantz Cartune Debut of Homer Pigeon.Andy Panda's Victory GardenAndy PandaYankee Doodle Swing ShiftSwing Symphony The Loan StrangerWoody WoodpeckerBoogie Woogie SiouxSwing Symphony Air Raid WardenAndy PandaCow-Cow Boogie 1943Swing Symphony The ScrewballWoody WoodpeckerThe Egg Cracker SuiteDirector with Emery Hawkins Swing Symphony First and only cartoon co-directed with Emery Hawkins. Final theatrical cartoon directed by Hardaway. Final theatrical cartoon featuring Oswald Rabbit.Swing Your Partner Writer with Milt SchafferFeatures Homer Pigeon.The Dizzy AcrobatWoody WoodpeckerCanine CommandosAndy PandaRation BoredWriterWoody WoodpeckerPass the Biscuits Mirandy! Writer with Milt Schaffer Swing Symphony Boogie Woogie Man (Will Get You If You Don't Watch Out)Meatless TuesdayAndy PandaThe Greatest Man in Siam 1944Swing Symphony The Barber or SevilleWoody WoodpeckerFirst Woody Woodpecker short where Hardaway voices the woodpecker.Jungle JiveSwing SymphonyFish FryAndy PandaAbou Ben BoogieSwing Symphony The Beach Nut Woody WoodpeckerSki For TwoThe Painter and the PointerAndy PandaThe Pied Piper of Basin Street 1945Swing SymphonyChew-Chew BabyWoody WoodpeckerSliphorn King of PolarooSwing Symphony Final Swing Symphony short.Woody Dines OutWoody WoodpeckerCrow CrazyAndy PandaThe Dippy Diplomat Woody WoodpeckerThe Loose NutThe Poet & Peasant 1946 Andy PandaA precursor to the Musical Miniatures.Mousie Come HomeApple AndyWho's Cookin' Who? Woody WoodpeckerBathing BuddiesThe Reckless DriverFair Weather FiendsThe Wacky WeedAndy PandaMusical Moments from Chopin 1947Musical Miniatures First Musical Miniature.Smoked Hams Woody WoodpeckerThe Coo Coo BirdThe Overture to William TellMusical MiniaturesWell Oiled Woody WoodpeckerSolid IvoryFinal short co-written with Milt Schaffer, who had returned to Disney in 1946.Woody the Giant Killer Writer with Webb SmithFirst short co-written with Webb Smith.The BandmasterAndy PandaSimilar to the Musical Miniatures which ran concurrently.The Mad Hatter 1948 Woody WoodpeckerFinal short co-written by Webb Smith.Banquet Busters Writer with Jack Cosgriff First short co-written with Jack Cosgriff, during his second stint at the studio.Kiddie KoncertMusical MiniaturesWacky-Bye BabyWoody WoodpeckerPixie PicnicMusical MiniaturesFinal Musical Miniature short.Wet Blanket PolicyWriter with Heck AllenWoody WoodpeckerFirst short co-written with Heck Allen.Playful PelicanWriter with Jack Cosgriff Andy PandaFinal short co-written with Jack Cosgriff.Dog Tax Dodgers Writer with Heck AllenWild and Woody!Woody WoodpeckerScrappy Birthday 1949Andy PandaFinal Andy Panda cartoon.Drooler's Delight Woody WoodpeckerFinal short where Hardaway voices Woody. Final short completed before the 1948 shutdown.Puny Express 1951 Storyboarded by Hardaway and Allen prior to the studio shut down, and were subsequently shelved. Once the studio re-opened in 1950, these two shorts were placed back into production and included in a new order by Universal for 7 shorts in the 1951–1952 season. Hardaway did not return to the studio once it reopened. Final Walter Lantz shorts Hardaway worked on and final Woody Woodpecker shorts to have any involvement from Hardaway and final shorts co-written with Heck Allen.Sleep Happy

Warner Bros. Cartoons TitleRelease DateRoleSeriesNotesA Bone for a Bone1951WriterLooney TunesFinal Looney Tune to be worked on by Hardaway. Final Warner Bros. cartoon and final theatrical cartoon in general to be written by Hardaway. Would have begun production around 1949. Features the Goofy Gophers.

Television Adventures of Pow Wow (1956) - Writer