Good memories, Jack. Oliphant was much loved in my native South, particularly in the Carter years. Even Jimmy laughed at the witty jabs that came at him from Oliphant, and he, like everybody else, seemed to like the side comments from the little people in the cartoons most of all. Oliphant was a one off, and we'll continue to miss him for a long time to come.
I think I have mentioned to you that I took a course on Political Cartooning from Bill Mauldin at Yale. The year before I took the seminar Pat Oliphant was a guest one night and according to a close friend who was in the seminar that year he gave a tour-de-force performance that was hilarious, profane, and ribald. As in his cartoons, he was totally unrestrained and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm only sorry I wasn't there.
Exactly right, on so many fronts… I didn’t agree with his assertion that all politicians were more or less equally despicable (c’mon…Carter vs Trump?…Buttigieg or Mitch?) but he was a genius… So many legendary drawings, but the one that sticks with me is a shot from below of Michelangelo on a high scaffold painting the Sistine chapel ceiling… The perspective and detail, seemingly achieved with such fluidity and ease, was nothing short of astonishing
“Mike Peters once said Watergate was the editorial cartoonist’s Camelot. He was right.” Amen. I’m reading Trudeau & Doonesbury: A Biography, and between your piece and that book I’m remembering the thrill I had watching Oliphant, Conrad, Herblock, and Trudeau go after Nixon and his gang.
Oliphant had the amazing ability to make you cringe one day, laugh the next, and then stop and think the day after that. All while gobsmacked how someone could illustrate with such intricacy and detail. Lovely article. Learned a lot.
I love this piece, Jack. Loving tribute and honest talking. In past days, EVERYONE knew the name Oliphant. What a memorable part of our shared culture.
Jackson:
You ain’t no Lovin’ Spoonful. Maybe Leonard Cohen. Hallelujah.
You lost that Lovin' Feelin'!
Leonard works-Montreal boy and well-liked here in Toronto!
A classic nostalgic Jack story! We have been on life support without one recently!
Interesting people create interesting stories, and yours are a soothing reminder of
better times in many ways Jack!
I try to soothe!!!
Good job! An emotional masseuse, cartoon-style:)
❣️
Good memories, Jack. Oliphant was much loved in my native South, particularly in the Carter years. Even Jimmy laughed at the witty jabs that came at him from Oliphant, and he, like everybody else, seemed to like the side comments from the little people in the cartoons most of all. Oliphant was a one off, and we'll continue to miss him for a long time to come.
yes! I always loved the commentary from the little people, their asides provided the irony and the laugh in the matter.
I think I have mentioned to you that I took a course on Political Cartooning from Bill Mauldin at Yale. The year before I took the seminar Pat Oliphant was a guest one night and according to a close friend who was in the seminar that year he gave a tour-de-force performance that was hilarious, profane, and ribald. As in his cartoons, he was totally unrestrained and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm only sorry I wasn't there.
How cool is that, Michael???
Exactly right, on so many fronts… I didn’t agree with his assertion that all politicians were more or less equally despicable (c’mon…Carter vs Trump?…Buttigieg or Mitch?) but he was a genius… So many legendary drawings, but the one that sticks with me is a shot from below of Michelangelo on a high scaffold painting the Sistine chapel ceiling… The perspective and detail, seemingly achieved with such fluidity and ease, was nothing short of astonishing
Proud to have known the lad!
(Joel Pett, aka the Monkees:)
I get the funniest looks from everyone we meet.
Hey hey.
“Mike Peters once said Watergate was the editorial cartoonist’s Camelot. He was right.” Amen. I’m reading Trudeau & Doonesbury: A Biography, and between your piece and that book I’m remembering the thrill I had watching Oliphant, Conrad, Herblock, and Trudeau go after Nixon and his gang.
Oliphant had the amazing ability to make you cringe one day, laugh the next, and then stop and think the day after that. All while gobsmacked how someone could illustrate with such intricacy and detail. Lovely article. Learned a lot.
I love this piece, Jack. Loving tribute and honest talking. In past days, EVERYONE knew the name Oliphant. What a memorable part of our shared culture.
Aww...that was touching, and his loss will be felt worldwide.
He sounded like the preeminent editorial cartoonist, with a personality to match.
Thanks for sharing.
Great column! I love reading about the old timers.
That's perfect, Jack. I like your band metaphor, but I'm a girl who saw The Mugwumps live.
Very nice, Jack❣️
Thanks for the retrospective, Jack.
Coming Sept. 5 - A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant - Official Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GFlv5mr7AY&t=144s
Oliphant was a giant. Really nice article. Thank you.
Wonderful remembrance of times past and a warm salute to a cartoonist so many us remember from yesteryear.