Weekend Entertainment: "Susie the Little Blue Coupe"
Follow the jump to watch the short
Thanks to frequent commenter and tipster "catgirlshyla" for sending in a link to Walt Disney's Susie the Little Blue Coupe, an animated short that originally debuted theatrically in 1952. As you can plainly see, the Disney/Pixar gang used Susie as the inspiration for how to give life to the rides in 2006's Cars -- eyes in the windshield; grilles and bumpers forming mouths. It's just as effective and charming (perhaps even more so) in decades-old hand-drawn animation as it is in 21st-century CGI. The story's very straightforward -- it chronicles Susie's life cycle from new car to used car to junk heap. Don't worry, there's still a happy ending -- it's vintage Disney, remember. Anyway, this is good stuff. Follow the jump and enjoy.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Conor 4:11PM (8/30/2008)
Good stuff. Thanks guys.
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J M C 3 4:14PM (8/30/2008)
Ah.Redemption.
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memikeyounoyt 4:22PM (8/30/2008)
I think this video was one of the things that made me a car geek--I must have seen it dozens of times as a kid growing up in 50's and 60's
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JayP 4:31PM (8/30/2008)
My 6yr old just got done watching it. He was genuinely worried about Susie.
He was happy to see her as a hot rod. Then again, he's a car guy.
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Papi L-Gee 9:17PM (8/30/2008)
Thanks for passing such enthusiasm down through the generations. :)
ronzo 5:25PM (8/30/2008)
Thanks for bringing back memories!
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SSII 5:57PM (8/30/2008)
That was great! Made me feel all warm & fuzzy when lil Susie got to be a hot rod! Thanks AB.
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alex T. 6:15PM (8/30/2008)
I used to love this when I was a kid! thanks guys.
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Reader 6:39PM (8/30/2008)
Susie needs to learn to stay in her own damn lane (I kid, I kid).
Good stuff, hadn't ever seen this one.
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cwk 6:50PM (8/30/2008)
or was it the mgm airplane shorts that gave disney the idea..?
there where a few of these anthropomorphic vehicle shorts from different companies; unsure which came first.
Anybody remember the one about the taxi family where the baby disappoints the dad by becoming a hot rod?
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JayP 8:00PM (8/30/2008)
I am looking for the same cartoon.
Another favorite.
raf280z 9:01PM (8/30/2008)
One Cab's Family - The cartoon with the taxi family
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rnjXdj9-LI
Kattleox 7:23PM (8/30/2008)
I'm suprised that I hadn't seen this before today, considering as many of these shorts I had watched as a young'un. It makes me want to go out and hug my MX-5.
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chad.dawkins 7:25PM (8/30/2008)
So this is why I personify cars so much...
*goes to hug his car that is warm in the Garage*
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r33 8:00PM (8/30/2008)
thanks a lot for the good memories brought back!
go susie!
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Alexander 9:09PM (8/31/2008)
Thanks for the memories Autoblog.
I knew my car had feelings.....lol
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Graham 9:19PM (8/30/2008)
This is what "virtual community" is all about. Thanks for the posting. This came out the year I was born -- I've never seen it before. I'm happy the six year old liked it. Maybe timeless classics are still possible. Too bad that spirit of the car seems gone from the Detroit Three. Chrysler selling Viper... too sad.
Graham
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bajabusta 10:05PM (8/30/2008)
Anyone else feel like this mirrored the current domestic auto industry? When susie was fresh, new and stylish, she was top of her game. She became old and crusty, and no one cared about her anymore. Then she was freshly styled and new again, only in her case she had a buyer!! Everyone, go get yourself a Susie!!
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MasterCKO 10:27PM (8/30/2008)
I actually remember seeing this as a kid (and I'm only 27) Good times. Thanks for posting this Autoblog! It almost brought a tear to my eye. yay, Nostalgia!
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J M C 3 11:32PM (8/30/2008)
It's a retelling of "The Prodigal Son".
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