Monday, January 07, 2013
Ink-Slinger Profiles: Charles Biro
Charles Biro was born in New York City, May 12, 1911, according to the Social Security Death Index and census records. He was not in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census because he was in Europe. A February 1921, Philadelphia passenger list recorded the return of Biro and his parents from Le Havre, France to New York City. The list said his parents, Anton and Josephine, were of the Hebrew race, Czechoslovakian nationals who spoke German. Their last permanent residence was Wien, Austria, and they were in New York City from 1909 to 1914. The Monthly Supplement 1951, to Who’s Who in America, said Biro attended the New School in 1918.
The 1925 New York State Census said the family of five lived in Queens County, New York at 148th Street and Grand Central Parkway. His father was a machinist and his older brothers, Michael and Louis, were a plumber and decorator. In 1928 Biro was sports cartoonist for the Long Island Daily Press, according to Who’s Who in America. As a Jamaica High School student, he was an assistant to the art editor on the school’s yearbook, The Oracle, June 1929.
In the 1930 census the Biros resided in Queens at 147-52 Grand Central Parkway. His Hungarian parents emigrated in 1898; his father was an engineer at a hotel. Biro’s brother Louis was an advertising artist. At this time, the earliest documentation of Biro’s professional career was found in the Daily Star, (Long Island City, New York), September 9, 1932:
Brooklyn Girl Betrothed to Queens Song WriterWho’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999 said Biro worked for the Fleischer animation studio in the 1930s, however the Who’s Who in America entry does not include Fleischer; it said he was an animator at Van Beuren Productions, R.К.О., from 1933 to 1936; then animation director of Audio Productions, from 1936 to 1937, and the Hastings Studio in 1937. He left animation to become art director at the Harry “A” Chesler Syndicate, from 1937 to 1938, and he drew the Foxy Grandpa comic strip (note from Allan: the only Chesler strip known to have actually run in newspapers was a revival of Little Nemo -- this version of Foxy Grandpa has as far as I know not yet been found actually running in a newspaper). The cover of Syndicate Features, December 15, 1937, featured a portrait of Carl E. Schultze, Foxy Grandpa and Biro. Around the same time he produced another strip, Goodbyland, and it’s not known if it was ever published. From the Chesler Syndicate he went to the comic book publisher MLJ from 1938 to 1939.
Mr. and Mrs. Anton Biro, 147-02 Grand Central parkway, North Jamaica, announced the engagement of their eldest son, Mitchell, to Miss Ceil Bayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Bayer of Brooklyn, at a formal dinner.
Young Mr. Biro is a well-known song writer. Among the guests were Charles Biro, sketch artist for the Van Beuren Film Corporation of Manhattan, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Biro of Beechhurst, Miss Contia Biro of Brooklyn, Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Jacobwitz of Flushing-Hillcrest, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Luther of Brooklyn and Al Koenency of Brooklyn.
courtesy of Heritage Auctions
His art training was intermittent according to Who’s Who in America: Brooklyn Museum School of Art, 1932; Art Students League, 1934; and Grand Central School of Art, 1939. On September 13, 1938, he married Frances Bishop.
In the 1940 census the couple lived in Sunnyside, New York at 4542 41st Road. He had four years of high school and his occupation was artist in the publishing industry. In the column for 1939 income, he earned 700 dollars, and his wife $1,250. Biro continued work in the comic book industry: editor-in-chief of Comic House, Inc., from 1939 to 1940; editorial director and editor-in-chief of Gleason Publications, since 1945; and president of Biro-Wood Productions, since 1945. Some of his comic book credits are here. He was credited with another comic strip, Judge Sterling, that may or may not have been published in 1946. The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), October 12, 1946, noted one of his visits: “Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hubbell had as their week-end guests Mr. and Mrs. Charles Biro. Mr. Biro is Mr. Hubbell’s editor.” He contributed illustrations to Pat the Pilot, first published in 1949.
The New York Times, July 14, 1951, reported the Society of Amateur Chefs duck dinner at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel, the organization’s headquarters; two brief excerpts:
The Times, October 1, 1953, noted Biro’s leasing of space in the Steinway Building, 109 West 57th Street, in Manhattan. Maybe it was this location where he produced an eight-page comic book about the State Training School for Boys at Warwick, New York. The school was established to help juvenile delinquents. The April 17, 1954, Times reported the use of the comic book and printed two panels (below).
When his career in comics ended in the mid-1950s, he made the switch to graphic design in television. From 1962 to 1972, he was employed at NBC. Biro passed away March 4, 1972. The Comics Journal #245, August 2002, published an interview with Creig Flessel who recalled a couple of incidents regarding Biro. Photos of Biro are here. An issue of Uncle Charlie’s Fables can be viewed here.
In the 1940 census the couple lived in Sunnyside, New York at 4542 41st Road. He had four years of high school and his occupation was artist in the publishing industry. In the column for 1939 income, he earned 700 dollars, and his wife $1,250. Biro continued work in the comic book industry: editor-in-chief of Comic House, Inc., from 1939 to 1940; editorial director and editor-in-chief of Gleason Publications, since 1945; and president of Biro-Wood Productions, since 1945. Some of his comic book credits are here. He was credited with another comic strip, Judge Sterling, that may or may not have been published in 1946. The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), October 12, 1946, noted one of his visits: “Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hubbell had as their week-end guests Mr. and Mrs. Charles Biro. Mr. Biro is Mr. Hubbell’s editor.” He contributed illustrations to Pat the Pilot, first published in 1949.
The New York Times, July 14, 1951, reported the Society of Amateur Chefs duck dinner at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel, the organization’s headquarters; two brief excerpts:
Among the co-conspirators at the range with Mr. Melchior were cartoonists Ham Fisher of “Joe Palooka” fame and Charles Biro, who left the fate of Pee Wee, Scare Crow and the other “Little Wise Guys” in midair to don his starched chef’s cap and apron. The latter costume, gay with red and black inscriptions, was worn by members over their conservative business suits. It was designed by fellow member and assistant chef of the day, Russell Patterson, the illustrator….During the month of October 1952, Stars and Stripes, September 21, 1952, reported that nine cartoonists were scheduled to visit American bases in Great Britain and France. They were “…Russell Patterson, the famed beautiful-girl illustrator (‘Mamie’); Dick Wingert (‘Hubert’), C.D. Russell (‘Pete the Tramp’), Bob Dunn (‘Just the Type’), all of King Features Syndicate; Al Posen (‘Sweeney and Son’), Bill Holman (‘Smoky Stover’ and ‘Nuts and Bolts’) and Gus Edson (‘The Gumps’), all of the Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate; Bob Montana (‘Archie’), McClure Newspaper Syndicate, and Charles Biro (comic books, ‘Dare Devil’ and ‘Peewee’).” Their Christmas greetings were published in the December 24, 1952, Stars and Stripes; Biro’s greeting is below.
Bill of fare for the evening (selected by Mr. Biro):
Anchovy twists
Mint juleps
Petite marmite
Wild duckling with sauce smitaine
Wild rice
Whole glazed cranberries
Mixed salad
French pancakes
Demi tasse
The Times, October 1, 1953, noted Biro’s leasing of space in the Steinway Building, 109 West 57th Street, in Manhattan. Maybe it was this location where he produced an eight-page comic book about the State Training School for Boys at Warwick, New York. The school was established to help juvenile delinquents. The April 17, 1954, Times reported the use of the comic book and printed two panels (below).
When his career in comics ended in the mid-1950s, he made the switch to graphic design in television. From 1962 to 1972, he was employed at NBC. Biro passed away March 4, 1972. The Comics Journal #245, August 2002, published an interview with Creig Flessel who recalled a couple of incidents regarding Biro. Photos of Biro are here. An issue of Uncle Charlie’s Fables can be viewed here.
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
Comments:
Thanks for your wonderful articles Alex! Is there any way of getting a higher res copy of these Biro Foxy Grandpa dailies? I'd love to be able to read them better. Thanks for your article and your help.
Mark Kausler
Mark Kausler
# posted by 
: 1/08/2013 1:48 AM
: 1/08/2013 1:48 AM
Sign up at Heritage Auctions to read the strips. Here's the link to the item: comics.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=816&lotNo=3289#18851885078
On ebay there is an original panel Biro probably tried to sell about television. Fits in rather nicely with his later career.
Biro is pictured on the 1930-1931 Fleischer studio personnel chart. Goobyland was published in the 1938 Joe Penner-Cocomalt Big Book of Comics.
# posted by : 9/23/2013 8:21 PM
: 9/23/2013 8:21 PM
I've been wondering two things.
First, do we know where Biro died and is, presumably buried?
And what is known about his post-comics work at NBC and elsewhere?
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First, do we know where Biro died and is, presumably buried?
And what is known about his post-comics work at NBC and elsewhere?
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Jim Ivey's Sunday Comics
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Herriman Saturday
In weazel-hat news, Tony Schwamm is the latest to leave the party, and mysterious guest #13 is run over in the street on his way in.
Labels: Herriman's LA Examiner Cartoons
Friday, January 04, 2013
Sci-Friday starring Adam Chase
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| Copyright renewed (c) 2013 Russ Morgan. All rights reserved. |
Labels: Adam Chase Sci-Friday
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Ink-Slinger Profiles: Renny McEvoy
1929
In the 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Renny, his mother (an actress) and younger brother, Harold, and maternal grandfather, Thomas W. Crotty, lived in Cleveland at 1567 East 41st Street. His father was not been found in the census. Some time later, his parents divorced. On September 10, 1918, his father signed his World War I draft card which said he lived in Denver, Colorado. He was a theatrical performer with the Western Vaudeville Managers Association, Majestic Theater Building, Chicago, Illinois, and named his mother as his nearest relative.
The 1920 census recorded Renny, his brother and paternal grandparents as part of his Uncle Harry and Aunt Bessie’s household. They resided in Fremont, Ohio at 527 Jackson Street. His mother was married to Chicago Tribune writer, Joseph Patrick McEvoy. The couple had a son, age 18 months, and daughter, age three-and-a-half. They resided in Deerfield, Illinois at 202 Linden Avenue. Renny attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. According to the 1928 school yearbook, Recensio, he was a sophomore; assistant on the Recensio staff; and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1929 he was a cheerleader; member of the dramatics club, Ye Merrie Players; vice-president of the Varsity Social club; and an organizer on the junior prom dance committee.
Renny was counted twice in the 1930 census. He lived with his divorced mother, recorded as “Mamye”, in Chicago, Illinois at 7106 Sheridan Road, where both were unemployed. In Elyria, Ohio, he was part of his Aunt Bessie’s household at 246 Eighth Street. Renny moved to Elyria and was listed in the 1931 city directory: “Wurnelle Reynold clk [clerk] J E Thatcher r[esidence] 1004 East av”.
It’s not known when Renny met his stepfather and changed his surname. The name changed, at least professionally, around 1932. The Miami Student (Miami University, Oxford, Ohio), March 5, 1948, profiled him and said: “…He left Miami, broke, in 1929, and hitchhiked to New York where he went into acting on Broadway…” However, his Broadway debut came later according to the Brooklyn Eagle (New York), February 24, 1951: “…A budding cartoonist, he made his Broadway debut in a musical, “Americana.” The book for the show was written by his father, who, however, was unaware for a considerable time that one of the minor roles was being played by his precocious offspring.” The Internet Broadway Database said there three Broadway productions of Americana, two of which were during his college days. The third one was in 1932. The Daily Star (Long Island City, New York), September 12, 1932, elaborated on Renny’s role in Americana:
When J.P. McEvoy’s new “America” [sic] opens in Philadelphia this Thursday, it will carry the hopes of more than one McEvoy with it. For Renny McEvoy, twenty-year old [sic: 27] son of J.P., is being introduced to Broadway via his father’s show.
Young McEvoy, besides having four bits of his own to do is acting as assistant stage manager and his first song will be heard in “America.” It is called “Bronx Cheer-Up.”
Young McEvoy had broadcast over WABC and stations in Cleveland. He can sing and he can dance but his real passion is song writing.
Another source is the St. Petersburg Times (Florida), December 2, 1943: “…McEvoy…has written continuity for the strip [Dixie Dugan] for 11 years…” The article suggests that in 1932 he started on the strip, which began October 21, 1929.
The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio), February 14, 1936 noted the following:
Announcement was made today that Renny McEvoy, who is known to Elyria by the name of Renny Wurnelle, will team with Bob Ballin as “Two Public Enemies” and will sing and patter for CBS starting Tuesday at 10:30 A.M. When in Elyria this young man lived with his aunt Mrs. H.E. [Bessie] Ranker. He was well known here for his work in the entertainment field with Dick Hancock.
His brother died April 30, 1935. In the mid-1930s, he married Pamela Shipley Sweeney, according to the family tree. The Coshocton Tribune (Ohio), April 6, 1938, published Charles B. Driscoll’s column “New York Day by Day” which said:
There are two McEvoy babies, eleven months apart in age. J.P., novelist, screen writer and playwright, and his wife, Peggy Santry, have gone to Hollywood, leaving the month-old Patricia, in care of a nurse at their Connecticut estate. Renny McEvoy, stepson of J.P., also a writer, is the father of a year-old girl named Pamela for her mother. Renny has given J.P. a lot of advice about baby-rearing, altho the elder McEvoy has two almost-grown children. J.P. accepts the advice gravely, as if it were from an expert instead of an enthusiast.
Driscoll’s column, in the Greensboro Record, (North Carolina), April 8, 1940, noted the revival of barber shop quartet singing:
…For many years I have heard “Sweet Adeline” and “Old Black Joe” sung soulfully by a quartet composed of Charlie McAdam, I.C. Brenner, Ham Fisher and Renny McEvoy….McEvoy, actor, script writer and comic man, brings a note of youth and semi-professionalism to the group. He has even sung on the stage in musical comedies. The quartet, as now composed, recently had a record made, to entertain friends—or themselves.
Renny has not been found in the 1940 census. About his early life and performing career, the Brooklyn Eagle said:
Renny McEvoy, the cartoonist and son of the widely known author, J.P. McEvoy, was stage struck at a tender age and never got over it.
He took his first curtain bows as a cooing baby in the arms of his mother, the former May Wurnell [sic], vaudeville and musical comedy actress. Literally raised in the wardrobe trunk in his infant years, he was carried on the stage by his mother when she took her calls at the end of the night’s performance. One of her hit shows was “Peg O’ My Heart.”
…Renny’s career as a motion picture actor began [in 1944] when Cecil B. DeMille cast him as the comic and romantic sailor in “The Story of Dr. Wassell.” He has played parts of varying length and importance in nine other movies.
His movie experience was the springboard for the comic strips Hollywood Johnnie (1945 to 1948) and the Sunday topper, Movie Struck. Hollywood Johnnie was also known as Hollywood Merry-Go-Round; in 1947 the strip was retitled Screen Girl. In 1949 he wrote the Merrie Chase strip which was initially drawn by Carl Hubbell; it ended in November 1950. The Brooklyn Eagle profile also said:
...The writer of the popular Dixie Dugan comic strip and more recently creator of a second funny page heroine, called Merrie Chase, Renny is currently in makeup for his tenth movie role. He plays a taxi driver in “Cry Danger,” the Sam Wiesenthal-W.R. Frank picture starring Dick Powell and Rhonda Fleming, now at the N.Y. Paramount Theater.
The pay check he receives for the thespian chore is small in comparison to his income as a successful cartoonist. He acts because “the change is invigorating and refreshing,” he says. “I act in movies instead of playing golf. Often while doing a part I get ideas for new situations and characters for my cartoons.”
He has no trouble fitting his histrionic activities into his schedule for writing the continuity for two cartoon strips.
“I write three months ahead, so I can always find time to do a picture when one comes along,” he explains. “Besides, I never could work on a cartoon in an office. When I started doing little things on the stage 12 years ago, I used to jot down ideas for Dixie Dugan in the dressing room, using lipstick or an eyebrow pencil to write with.”
Renny created the movie star character named “Reynold Wurnell” who was rumored to be engaged to Dixie Dugan. The storyline began September 17, 1949 and Wurnell was first mentioned September 22. The story continued into 1950. The strip ended October 8, 1966.
9/22/1949
10/12/1949
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1/13/1950
His skill, trapping coyotes in the Hollywood Hills, was explained in Popular Science, December 1961 (photo on page 68); how he trapped the coyotes is on page 198. As his movie roles decreased, television beckoned and he found parts from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. His screen credits are here.
His father died December 22, 1969. When his mother died is not known. According to the California Death Index at Ancestry.com, his wife passed away November 9, 1983 in San Diego, California. Renny passed away April 5, 1987, in El Centro, California, according to Find a Grave.
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
Comments:
Renny was a great friend and co worker. I was eighteen and we worked at the L.A Animal Shelter together. I went to his house after work one day and he introducedm me to iced coffee. He was doing small acting parts at the time. This was about the mid 1960s. Mark Gentry P. S. I still love iced coffee with cream and sugar just like Renny
# posted by : 4/28/2015 5:50 PM
: 4/28/2015 5:50 PM
He was a wonderful father often taking me fishing. While I sat in the boat fishing he would often be writing the continuity for Dixie Dugan.
# posted by : 12/03/2019 8:16 PM
: 12/03/2019 8:16 PM
He drew my mom into one of his Hollywood Johnnie comic strips and that ultimately landed her an agent Lee Stewart. She did a couple of stage productions but marriage and children ended her budding career. But still...she was in the "funny papers" thanks to Mr. McEvoy. :)
I remember Renny very well. My parents had a motel in Desert Hot Springs called The Pyramid. In the early 1950’s and He would often show us his Dixie Dugan cartoons and even featured The Pyramid in some of his Dixie Dugan cartoons. Renny was such a nice man whom I never forgot.
This is Mike, Renny McEvoys son. I remember the motel in Desert Hot Springs. I vaguely remember playing with the owners son.
My father Renny McEvoy retired in 1970 and moved to El Centro, California.
Mike McEvoy
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My father Renny McEvoy retired in 1970 and moved to El Centro, California.
Mike McEvoy
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Ink-Slinger Profiles: Paul Reinman
Paul J. Reinman was born in Worms, Germany on September 2, 1910, according to his Petition for Naturalization, filed July 12, 1935. His surname was originally spelled Reinmann. A passenger list at Ancestry.com said he emigrated from Germany, sailing from Southampton, England on June 9, 1934, and arriving in New York City on June 15. The painter and commercial artist spoke English and German. His father, Bernhard Reinmann, was listed as his nearest relative in Germany, and his aunt, Mrs. Johanna Lambert, in New York City at 206 West 106 Street. According to the 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Johanna’s sister, Julia Reinman, and nephew, William Reinman, were living with her. All three were born in Germany.
On May 26, 1936, Reinman’s brother and sister arrived in New York City. His address on the passenger list was 2643 Broadway. A naturalization document said he married Dora on September 4, 1938 in New York City. She was born in Reichelsheim, Germany, April 18, 1912, and emigrated April 20, 1934.
Reinman has not been found in the 1940 census. His naturalization card at Ancestry.com said he was naturalized on June 10, 1940 and lived at 611 West 163 Street, New York City. His wife was naturalized June 5, 1941 and had the same address.
The Palm Beach Daily News, (Florida), February 14, 1977, said:
...Reinman began his art career “at age three when I started drawing.” But Adolph Hitler’s rise to power in the late ’30s and the opportunities in commercial art in the U.S. brought Reinman to New York City.
“I had been working in a mail order house when the company decided to move to Chicago. So I went looking for work. I walked into MJL [sic] Comics (now Archie Comics) and found a job,” Reinman said.
In the beginning, “telling the story in pictures wasn’t easy,” but he quickly learned how to break down the synopsis of the story into four to eight pictures frames per page.
“When I began, I did nearly all of the pencil drawings and the inking, and most of the time even the synopsis of the story. But the work eventually became specialized so that six or seven people worked on a storyboard rather than three” he said.
...“When there is a great deal of dialogue I had to draw close-us of the characters and when the action quickened I had to set the scene,” Reinman explained. He attempted to pose the character in as many different angles as possible, which in many instances meant a great deal of work.
His comic strip work began February 7, 1949 with the Tarzan daily, and ended February 11, 1950, according to ERBzine. A few days before his Tarzan run ended, Reinman took over, from Carl Hubbell, Merrie Chase; his first daily was February 6, 1950 and first Sunday, February 26, 1950. More strips on the switch from Hubbell to Reinman are here. In 1949 and 1950, Reinman was an instructor at Burne Hogarth’s Cartoonists and Illustrators School. A first-hand account was described by Bob Hyde when he met Reinman in June 1949. (Scroll down to Chapter XIV, sixth paragraph) A photo of Reinman is here.
In the 1960s, he was part of the Marvel Comics superhero revival. The Palm Beach Daily News said, “…His last big job was the painting of a mural for Marvel. ‘It was a 36 foot high painting depicting all of their characters.’…Cartooning is not his entire life. Reinman also enjoys his fine art work. He has been listed since 1958 in the American Artists Eastern Division and in 1971 won the Forbes Award for a watercolor.”
Reinman passed away September 27, 1988, in Lake Worth, Florida, according to his death certificate. His first wife passed away in September 1967. He was survived by his second wife, Celia. His comic book credits are here. The remarkable story of how a Reinman drawing, found in a Jerusalem second-hand store, sparked a search to learn who he was, can be read here.
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
Comments:
Althugh Reinman is better known (and often hated) for his inking work in early Marvel superhero comics, the peak of his career was in the early fifties, when he produced many impressive horror and especially war stories. His work then has been likened to that of Brnie Krigstein. In the late fifties he was apparently to old to bounce back from the industry downfall and proceeded to do a lot of unispired romance work and later the lackluster inking over artists such as Jack Kirby. Reinman is the prototypical example of the type of artist who was unjustly forgotten because of the lack of attention the 'interbellum' years of the fifties have been getting from superhero fans
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Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Ink-Slinger Profiles: Carl Hubbell
Minor Carleton “Carl” Hubbell Jr. was born in Culver, Indiana, on July 27, 1916, according to passenger lists found at Ancestry.com. His father and mother, Elizabeth F. Callingham, both teachers, married June 12, 1915 in Spokane, Washington, as recorded on their marriage certificate.
Hubbell and his mother have not been found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, but his father was in Union Township, Indiana, where he was a teacher at a military school. Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Volume 37, 1922, listed him in the appendix: “Hubbell, Minor Carleton, Head of Modern Foreign Language Department, Culver Military Academy, Culver, Ind.”
The family traveled frequently to Europe. He and his mother sailed from Cherbourg, France, June 2, 1924 and landed in New York City, June 14. In 1927, the two sailed from Le Havre, France on September 21 and arrived in New York City on the 29th. Their address was 503 Madison Street, Culver, Indiana. A similar trip was made a year later.
The 1930 census recorded Hubbell and his mother in Culver at 503 Madison Street. She was a music teacher. His father resided in Manhattan, New York City, at 122 East 33 Street; he was a travel agent in the tourist industry. In September 1931, Hubbell and his father sailed from Southampton, England to Quebec then to New York City. Their address was 522 Fifth Avenue, New York City. A 1932 passenger list had all three of them but his father’s name had been crossed out. In 1937 Hubbell sailed with his mother from Southampton. His father made at least 16 overseas trips.
At this time, little is known about Hubbell’s childhood education and art training. In 1935 he was a freshman at Ohio Wesleyan University, where his father had received a masters of art degree in 1916. The school yearbook, Le Bijou 1935, listed Hubbell as a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
He and his father have not been found in the 1940 census which was enumerated in April; his mother was living alone in Culver. Hubbell’s father signed his World War II draft card April 26, 1942; self-employed, he operated Carleton Tours at 11 Charles Street in Manhattan, New York City. On the draft card, he named his son, who lived in Manhattan at 60 Hudson Street, Room 315, as the person who would always know his address. The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), July 7, 1949, said:
...Hubbell came to New York in 1940 where he hoped to have a B.A. degree in fine arts and had done extensive work and study on murals. His first job, a far cry from what he had in mind, was that of apprentice to a cartoonist. He worked only half days and received $5 per week. Although he spoke of those days in an amusing tone, nevertheless, he agreed that was the beginning of his career as a cartoonist.
According to Who’s Who in American Comic Books, 1928–1999, his comic book career spanned from 1941 to 1969. A list of his credits can be viewed here. A profile of Hubbell’s wife, Virginia, appeared in the Daily Freeman, August 8, 1951. To a group of artists she explained how she and Fritzi Striebel developed their play. About Virginia the profile said:
…Early in the summer of 1943, war year, Ginny saw a sign in a window concerning barges on the Erie Canal. Married but a year to cartoonist Carl Hubbell, and having given up her job as a copy writer for advertising for Westinghouse, she pointed out the possibilities of a good berth on a barge to her husband. They obtained a Coast Guard card as a barge captain and wife and set out in a taxi with most of their possessions for the pier in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
…The Hubbells…spent the summer on the barge, making two trips to Buffalo and back, living a wonderful life aboard traveling river and canal. It took four days to make the trip from Brooklyn to Albany and an entire summer to make the two round trips…
The group of artists who listened to Ginny’s outline of the Foundation play were particularly engrossed in her fabulous plot. They might not all have been aware that plots are really her business. She produces on an average of six complete stories a month for Dare Devil Boy Comic magazines, good practice she says, for learning to tie up a plot with no loose ends.
Writing for the comic strips began shortly after her marriage to Carl in 1942 when she was working for Westinghouse during the day and Carl was working most of the night on his cartoons. Carl’s editor asked her: “Since you like to write, why don’t you write for comic books?”
A visit to the Hubbell home on Ohayo Mountain is a story book experience in itself. A knock on the door after a walk across an inviting terrace and play-yard will probably produce an eruption of three dogs, two cockers and a giant black Newfoundland, two small boys, Jonathan aged three, and Craig, aged two, and Ginny and Carl. Somehow in the midst of this lively happy household the Hubbells manage to produce comic strips, stories and in the space of three short weeks a complete script for the Woodstock Foundation play...
The October 12, 1946, Daily Freeman, noted a social visit: “Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hubbell had as their week-end guests Mr. and Mrs. Charles Biro. Mr. Biro is Mr. Hubbell’s editor.”
Daily Freeman 5/2/1947
Minor C. Hubbell, Sr., Monson Teacher Dies
Monson, Jan. 10—Minor Carlton [sic] Hubbell Sr., 66, a member of the Monson Academy faculty, died suddenly at his home, 87 Main St., yesterday afternoon. Born May 26, 1881 at Bryan, Ohio, he was a resident of New York City for many years prior to coming here four years ago to teach French, German, and Latin. He was member of The Little Church Around the Corner in New York City and served as deacon there for many years. He leaves one son, Minor Carlton Hubbell Jr., of Woodstock, N.Y….
About seven weeks later, sadness turned to joy with the birth of their first child, Jonathan Nichols. In 1949 there were two major events for Hubbell: first was his new comic strip, Merrie Chase; and second was the September birth of Craig Timothy. The Daily Freeman, July 7, 1949, reported the upcoming release of the strip:
Hubbell’s Cartoon Is Accepted for Early Publication
Woodstock, July 7—Months of diligent work by Carl Hubbell, local cartoonist, have been rewarded by the acceptance of his comic strip, “Mary Case” [sic] which will appear daily including Sundays in newspapers across the country through the McNaught Syndicate, New York, beginning July 31.
Hubbell describes his character, Mary [sic] Chase, a beautiful blonde sleuth as the “kind of girl every mother would like her daughter to be as well as the kind of girl every girl would like to be.” The script for the cartoonist’s new strip is written by Rennie McEvoy of Hollywood, Calif.
For the past eight years, Hubbell has been cartooning for comic magazines and is particularly known for his comic book “Sniffer.” What will become of the slapstick character, Sniffer, now that Mary Chase is about to be launched, Carl would not commit himself more than to say it will continue for the present….
To keep up with daily deadlines, Carl hides away in his studio each morning and remains there until late afternoon.
In 1950 he produced the Sunday strip to February 19, and the daily to February 4. Paul Reinman succeeded him. Samples of the strip by both artists can be viewed here.
Hubbell was a musician and thespian. The Daily Freeman, November 26, 1949, said he was a member of the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra which performed at the Masonic Square Club’s dance and benefit show:
…The weird thin notes of reed instruments, camel bells and beating drums penetrated the curtains which parted to reveal a cluster of squatting white-robed Arabs. A sort of Arabian nightmare broke loose. From that point on the boys were off in a wonderful set of rhythms, from Araby to Basin Street with Clementine Nessel on the piano, John Pike with his guitar, and Dave Huffine on his amazing contraption rigged out of a washtub and a broom handle taking the beat that would be the envy of any good base fiddle slapper. Other stars in the ensemble were Sidney Berkowitz, drums; Bill Pachner, accordion; Carl Hubbell, harmonica, and John Striebel, violin….
A brief look at his acting career was told in the August 29, 1951, Daily Freeman:
Foundation Play Now in Rehearsal
…Bettina’s Promise or the Broken Divining Rod, the new play which the Woodstock Foundation is presenting Sept. 14 and 15, at the Woodstock Playhouse…
…Another first in connection with the play will be the appearance of John Striebel, noted creator of the Dixie Dugan cartoon strip, in an acting role. Striebel succumbed to the plea of Virginia Hubbell and his wife Fritzi….Carl Hubbell, the cartoonist, who plays the hero Horace, extended his theatrical experience last week by appearing at the Woodstock Playhouse as a sheriff in The Respectful Prostitute. Hubbell has had several previous goes at acting with the Island Players at Anna Amaria on the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he and his wife, Virginia Hubbell, spend their winters….
A photo of Hubbell and some cast members was published September 6, 1951.
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Elizabeth Hubbell, Well Known Music Teacher, Dies
Mrs. Elizabeth F. Hubbell, 84, of Culver, died Thursday morning, March 25, at the Wesley Manor, Frankfort, Ind., where she had been staying since 1963. She had been in poor health for the past two years.
Mrs. Hubbell, a member of the Culver Methodist Church, was born Oct. 10, 1880, in San Francisco, Calif., to William and Jeanette (Callingham) Chambers. She came to Culver about 1915 and taught music here for many years. She was married to Minor Hubbell who preceded her in death several years ago.
She is survived by a son, Carlton [sic], Hubbell, Woodstock, N.Y., and many friends….
In the mid-1960s, he worked in the bullpen of Marvel Comics, and in the late 60s did work for other comic book publishers. At this time, no information on him has been found from the 1970s to the early 1990s. Hubbell passed away January 28, 1992, in Sarasota County, Florida, according to the Florida Death Index at Ancestry.com, however, the Social Security Death Index has the day as the 27th. Virginia passed away April 15, 2006 at her home in Woodstock.
Labels: Ink-Slinger Profiles
