History WesternAnimation / SidneyTheElephant

Sidney was well-remembered enough in the 1990s to get a parody in ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures''. In the episode ''Who Bopped Bugs Bunny'', an CaptainErsatz called "Sappy Stanley" appears as the villain, attempting to get revenge on WesternAnimation/BugsBunny, because his greatest hit was overshadowed by "Knighty Knight Bugs".

''Sidney the Elephant'', also known as ''Silly Sidney'', is a relatively successful character from the Creator/{{Terrytoons}} studio. He was one of several new characters introduced in the mid to late 1950s. In 1955, studio founder and owner Paul Terry had sold it to Creator/{{CBS}} and promptly retired. The new owners appointed a new creative director for the studio. So they hired Creator/GeneDeitch (1924-), one of the guys behind the [[Creator/ColumbiaCartoons UPA animation studio]]. Deitch was not particularly fond of Terrytoons' production up to this point. Animation historians quote him saying: "For thirty years they had been making the crassest of unadulterated crap". He proceeded to drop most of the old characters, and had his crew create new ones.

A Sidney story was included in Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}'s ill-fated ''WesternAnimation/{{Curbside}}'' pilot starring the Terrytoons characters. Several years later, Jerry Beck pitched another Sidney cartoon to the network's ''WesternAnimation/RandomCartoons'' program; various issues forced a retool of the short into ''Hornswiggle'', which starred an {{Expy}} of Sidney.

* ICantBelieveItsNotHeroin: In ''Banana Binge'', Sidney is struggling with an addiction to bananas. He has reportedly been addicted to them for years and the only nearby source is a plantation. He already has more than 800 "buck shots" on his body from previous confrontations with its owner. Sidney's doctor points out that he might get killed eventually. So he is trying to "break the habit", getting encouragement from Stanley and Cleo. But actually still has secret stashes of bananas around. When his supply is over, Sidney gets into withdrawal and gets "the twitches" again (specifying its not his first time). The craving for bananas gets too much and Sidney attacka the plantation, walking through a flamethrower attack and destroying a tank to get to his bananas.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: Sidney is a B Type in ''Hide and Go Sidney'', where the plot is driven by his need to find friends. His problem seems to be that his sheer size makes many of his favorite games dangerous to other animals. When he attempts to join a game of leapfrog, the other three participants (monkeys) really don't sppreciate it.

* EekAMouse: In "The Littlest Bully", Melvin the Mouse has fun with scaring Sidney. Sidney even claims that "All elephants are afraid of mice". To which Stanley the Lion replies with a "humbug, just an old superstition".

* AccidentalHero: In ''Clown Jewels'', Sidney foils the plans of jewel thieves. First by uncovering the location of their hidden loot. When confronted by these "desperados", Sidney faints and falls on them. Taking them out of action and leading to their arrest. He is hailed a hero and even gets a reward.

* HappilyAdopted: Sidney and his adoptive mother's perspective in ''Sidney's Family Tree'' fits this trope. If you ask the adoptive father, you get a different story.
* ICantBelieveItsNotHeroin: In ''Banana Binge'', Sidney is struggling with an addiction to bananas. He has reportedly been addicted to them for years and the only nearby source is a plantation. He already has more than 800 "buck shots" on his body from previous confrontations with its owner. Sidney's doctor points out that he might get killed eventually. So he is trying to "break the habit", getting encouragement from Stanley and Cleo. But actually still has secret stashes of bananas around. When his supply is over, Sidney gets into withdrawal and gets "the twitches" again (specifying its not his first time). The craving for bananas gets too much and Sidney does attack the plantation. Walking through the flames of a flamethrower and destroying a tank to get to his bananas.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: Sidney is a B Type in ''Hide and Go Sidney'', where the plot is driven by his need to find friends. His problem seems to be that his sheer size makes many of his favorite games dangerous to other animals. Including when he attempts to join a game of leapfrog. The other three participants are monkeys and do not appreciate an elephant jumping on them.
* ManChild: Part of the humor in Sidney shorts. Sidney is 44 years old but extremely childish in demeanor. Often visually emphasized by his tendency to suck on his trunk. And in ''Tusk Tusk'' by having the short open to Sidney sucking his thumb.

Sidney was well-remembered enough in the 1990s to get a parody in ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures''. In the episode ''Who Bopped Bugs Bunny'', an elephant called "Sappy Stanley" appears as the villain. Attempting to get revenge on WesternAnimation/BugsBunny, because his greatest hit was overshadowed by "Knighty Knight Bugs". Stanley clearly being a CaptainErsatz of Sidney.

* ''Sidney's Family Tree'' (1958), directed by Art Bartsch.

A Sidney story was included in Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}'s ill-fated ''Curbside'' pilot starring the Terrytoons characters. Several years later, Jerry Beck pitched another Sidney cartoon to the network's ''WesternAnimation/RandomCartoons'' program; various issues forced a retool of the short into ''Hornswiggle'', which starred an {{Expy}} of Sidney.

* ManChild: Part of the humor in Sidney shorts. Sidney is a full adult but extremely childish in demeanor. Often visually emphasized by his tendency to suck on his trunk. And in ''Tusk Tusk'' by having the short open to Sidney sucking his thumb.

* UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation: His earliest shorts came out in the twilight years of the era.
* UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfAnimation: Where much of his output was made.

Cartoon shorts featuring Sidney remained in production to 1963. The lion and giraffe were reworked into regular supporting characters, Stanley the Lion and Carol/Cleo the Giraffe. By the time the series ended, Terrytoons had ceased producing most of its theatrical animated series. Turning its attention to creating animated television series. Sidney turned up in his own segment at the ''Hector Heathcote Show'' (1963-1965). But when that show also ended, Sidney joined the ranks of Terrytoons' defunct characters. Sidney was an also-run in the comic book medium. He had his own stories in the back-pages of the ''WesternAnimation/TomTerrific'' series (1957-1958) and in the ''New Terrytoons'' series (1962-1979). But Terrytoons characters were never big hits in this field.

''Sidney the Elephant'', also known as ''Silly Sidney'', is a relatively successful character from the Creator/{{Terrytoons}} studio. He was one of several new characters introduced in the mid to late 1950s. In 1955, studio founder and owner Paul Terry had sold it to Creator/{{CBS}} and promptly retired. The new owners appointed a new creative director for the studio. So they hired Gene Deitch (1924-), one of the guys behind the [[Creator/ColumbiaCartoons UPA animation studio]]. Deitch was not particularly fond of Terrytoons' production up to this point. Animation historians quote him saying: "For thirty years they had been making the crassest of unadulterated crap". He proceeded to drop most of the old characters, and had his crew create new ones.

'''''Sidney the Elephant''''', also known as '''''Silly Sidney''''', is a relatively successful character from the Creator/{{Terrytoons}} studio. He was one of several new characters introduced in the mid to late 1950s. In 1955, studio founder and owner Paul Terry had sold it to Creator/{{CBS}} and promptly retired. The new owners appointed a new creative director for the studio. So they hired Gene Deitch (1924-), one of the guys behind the [[Creator/ColumbiaCartoons UPA animation studio]]. Deitch was not particularly fond of Terrytoons' production up to this point. Animation historians quote him saying: "For thirty years they had been making the crassest of unadulterated crap". He proceeded to drop most of the old characters, and had his crew create new ones.

* TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation: His earliest shorts came out in the twilight years of the era.
* TheDarkAgeOfAnimation: Where much of his output was made.

His second short was more of a hit. In ''Sidney's Family Tree'' (1958), 44-year-old Sidney decides that he needs a mother to take care of him. He then politely asks female animals to adopt him. The first couple of animals refuse. But a female monkey, married but childless, takes him up on that offer. Mother and son could not be happier. But Sidney's new adoptive father can't stand the clumsy oaf. He spends most of the short trying to get rid of his dim-witted son. Who doesn't take the hint. When Sidney gets himself a new girlfriend, a young female elephant, the father is elated. Finally, his unwanted son moves out of the house. Mother is in tears. But then both elephants appear. Sidney and his new bride are ready to move in with his folks. Less whiny and more bumbling, Sidney was arguably funnier. This short was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film, though it lost to "Knighty Knight Bugs" (1958), a WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes entry featuring BugsBunny and Yosemite Sam.

'''''Sidney the Elephant''''', also known as '''''Silly Sidney''''', is a relatively successful character from the TerryToons studio. He was one of several new characters introduced in the mid to late 1950s. In 1955, studio founder and owner Paul Terry had sold it to Creator/{{CBS}} and promptly retired. The new owners appointed a new creative director for the studio. So they hired Gene Deitch (1924-), one of the guys behind the [[ColumbiaCartoons UPA animation studio]]. Deitch was not particularly fond of Terrytoons' production up to this point. Animation historians quote him saying: "For thirty years they had been making the crassest of unadulterated crap". He proceeded to drop most of the old characters, and had his crew create new ones.

Cartoon shorts featuring Sidney remained in production to 1963. The lion and giraffe were reworked into regular supporting characters, Stanley the Lion and Carol/Cleo the Giraffe. By the time the series ended, Terrytoons had ceased producing most of its theatrical animated series. Turning its attention to creating animated television series. Sidney turned up in his own segment at the ''Hector Heathcote Show'' (1963-1965). But when that show also ended, Sidney joined the ranks of Terrytoons' defunct characters. Sidney was an also-run in the comic book medium. He had his own stories in the back-pages of the ''Tom Terrific'' series (1957-1958) and in the ''New Terrytoons'' series (1962-1979). But Terrytoons characters were never big hits in this field.

Sidney was well-remembered enough in the 1990s to get a parody in ''TinyToonAdventures''. In the episode ''Who Bopped Bugs Bunny'', an elephant called "Sappy Stanley" appears as the villain. Attempting to get revenge on Bugs Bunny, because his greatest hit was overshadowed by "Knighty Knight Bugs". Stanley clearly being a CaptainErsatz of Sidney.

'''''Sidney the Elephant''''', also known as '''''Silly Sidney''''', is a relatively successful character from the TerryToons studio. He was one of several new characters introduced in the mid to late 1950s. In 1955, studio founder and owner Paul Terry had sold it to {{CBS}} and promptly retired. The new owners appointed a new creative director for the studio. So they hired Gene Deitch (1924-), one of the guys behind the [[ColumbiaCartoons UPA animation studio]]. Deitch was not particularly fond of Terrytoons' production up to this point. Animation historians quote him saying: "For thirty years they had been making the crassest of unadulterated crap". He proceeded to drop most of the old characters, and had his crew create new ones.

His second short was more of a hit. In ''Sidney's Family Tree'' (1958), 44-year-old Sidney decides that he needs a mother to take care of him. He then politely asks female animals to adopt him. The first couple of animals refuse. But a female monkey, married but childless, takes him up on that offer. Mother and son could not be happier. But Sidney's new adoptive father can't stand the clumsy oaf. He spends most of the short trying to get rid of his dim-witted son. Who doesn't take the hint. When Sidney gets himself a new girlfriend, a young female elephant, the father is elated. Finally, his unwanted son moves out of the house. Mother is in tears. But then both elephants appear. Sidney and his new bride are ready to move in with his folks. Less whiny and more bumbling, Sidney was arguably funnier. This short was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film, though it lost to "Knighty Knight Bugs" (1958), a LooneyTunes entry featuring BugsBunny and Yosemite Sam.

* ''Sick, Sick Sidney'' (1958), directed by Art Bartsch.

* ''Tusk Tusk'' (1960), directed by Martin Taras.
* ''The Littlest Bully'' (1960), directed by Martin Taras.
* ''Two-Ton Babysitter'' (1960), directed by Dave Tendlar.

* ''Really Big Act'' (1961), directed by Dave Tendlar?.
* ''Tree Spree'' (1961), directed by Larz Bourne?.
* ''Clown Jewels'' (1961), directed by Dave Tendlar.

* AccidentalHero: In ''Clown Jewels'', Sidney foils the plans of jewel thieves. First by uncovering the location of their hidden loot. When confronted by these "desperados", Sidney faints and falls on them. Taking them out of action and leading to their arrest. He is hailed a hero and even gets a reward.
* AddictionDisplacement: At the finale of ''Banana Binge'', Sidney seems to have finally ended his addiction to bananas. But is now fixating on kumquats.
* BehindAStick: Subverted in ''Sick Sick Sidney'' (1958). In it, Sidney tries to hide from safari hunters by getting behind a very thin tree. However, Sidney is too fat and thus unsuccessful, saying "Oh they just don't make trees like they did when I was a little boy".

* GreatWhiteHunter: Two safari hunters who capture the animals alive turn up in ''Sick, Sick Sidney''. Two "ivory hunters", who have no problem killing elephants, turn up in ''Tusk Tusk''.
* HappilyAdopted: Sidney and his adoptive mother's perspective in ''Sidney's Family Tree'' fits this trope. If you ask the adoptive father, you get a different story.
* ICantBelieveItsNotHeroin: In ''Banana Binge'', Sidney is struggling with an addiction to bananas. He has reportedly been addicted to them for years and the only nearby source is a plantation. He already has more than 800 "buck shots" on his body from previous confrontations with its owner. Sidney's doctor points out that he might get killed eventually. So he is trying to "break the habit", getting encouragement from Stanley and Cleo. But actually still has secret stashes of bananas around. When his supply is over, Sidney gets into withdrawal and gets "the twitches" again (specifying its not his first time). The craving for bananas gets too much and Sidney does attack the plantation. Walking through the flames of a flamethrower and destroying a tank to get to his bananas.
* IJustWantToHaveFriends: Sidney is a B Type in ''Hide and Go Sidney'', where the plot is driven by his need to find friends. His problem seems to be that his sheer size makes many of his favorite games dangerous to other animals. Including when he attempts to join a game of leapfrog. The other three participants are monkeys and do not appreciate an elephant jumping on them.
* ManChild: Part of the humor in Sidney shorts. Sidney is a full adult but extremely childish in demeanor. Often visually emphasized by his tendency to suck on his trunk. And in ''Tusk Tusk'' by having the short open to Sidney sucking his thumb.