how speedy gonzales got
Martha Goldman Sigall worked at Warner Brothers when Speedy Gonzales was created in 1953. The inspiration came from assistant animator Frank Gonzales, who was chatting with storymen Al Bertino and Tedd Pierce. Frank told them how he found a way to speed up his drawings. Pierce and Bertino were looking to create a character and the idea for Speedy Gonzales came to mind. Bob McKimson directed the first Speedy Gonzales in 1953 called Cat Tails for Two. Friz Freling made the second Speedy Gonzales cartoon and it won the Academy Award in 1955. Mel Blanc voiced Speedy. His signature saying is Andale, andale! Arriba Arriba! The Cartoon Network has not shown Speedy Gonzales since 1999 because of concerns that he portrays hispanics in a bad light. However, the Cartoon Network Latin America airs the speedy mouse to the delight of viewers. Martha Sigalll worked in animation from 1936 until 1989. In 2003, she won a Lifetime Achievement Annie Award. She speaks to conventions and groups. Contact her at Sigall@yahoo.com.
