Gumby is a young green clay humanoid figure created by Art Clokey. He is the main protagonist of the animated series with the same name.
He was animated using stop-motion clay animation.
He first appeared in the original short "Moon Trip".
He was originally voiced by Dallas McKennon. Before that, he was voiced by Ruth Eggleston (in the 1956 episodes), and in the late-1960s, he was voiced by Norma MacMillan.
Origins[]
Gumby was inspired from a suggestion from Clokey's wife that he base his character off The Gingerbread Man. Gumby was green because it was Clokey's favorite color. Gumby's legs and feet were made wide for pragmatic reasons: they ensured the clay character would stand up during picture-taking filming. The famous slanted shape of Gumby's head was based on the hair style of Clokey's father Charles Farrington in an old photograph.
Appearance[]
Over the years, Gumby's look has changed. For a very brief start, he was not put together as well. He did not have hands. His mouth had a green gap in it and had red beads for eyes. He was a shade of teal. And the lump on his head was smaller. Then for the 50's and some of the 60's he had a better mouth and nose, shinier eyes, better structure, and a taller head. Then in the late 60's, Gumby had a bigger and smoother bump on his head, almost making it a straight line. It was not until then that he had eyebrows and his eyes turned from red to black. It was also when he got thumbs. In the 80's, Gumby wore a lighter green color and a cleaner face.
Personality[]
Gumby is a very well-rounded individual. He is always willing to help others. He is never selfish. He is very enthusiastic, and looks at every situation as an opportunity. He is very kind, warm-hearted, and giving, which is why he can be a friend to almost anyone.
Abilities[]
His most famous ability is shape-shifting. Since Gumby is, well, clay, he can mold himself into anything he wants to fit any situation. Evidenced by the show's theme song, he also possesses the ability to walk through walls (And possibly other solid objects) on a whim.
Trivia[]
- "Gumby" is the Latin term for "Gumbo," which is his father's name. His mother's name is Gumba. Clokey, Gumby's creator, admits this is the only time in seven years of Latin that he put it to good use.
- The trademark bumps on Gumby's head comes from a photograph of Clokey's father in which his cowlick gives him an unusual looking bump.
- Recently, rap fans wore the Gumby, or a Gumby hairstyle.
- Gumby plays lead guitar, in the band with his friends.
- Although Ruth Eggleston, Dallas McKennon, Norma MacMillan and Ginny Tyler are Gumby's primary voice actors, several sources also stated that Dick Beals also provided Gumby's voice. But Beals himself however, denied this claim in a 2001 interview.
Episodes[]
- Gumbasia
- Pilots
- The Gumby Show
- Gumby And Pokey
See also:
Pictures[]
