Ranger Smith
| Ranger Smith | |
|---|---|
| The Yogi Bear Showcharacter | |
 Ranger Smith fromThe Yogi Bear Show | |
| First appearance | Yogi Bear's Big Break(1958) |
| Created by | William Hanna Joseph Barbera |
| Portrayed by | Russ Horner (Yogi's Picnic)[1][2] Tom Cavanagh(2010 film) |
| Voiced by | Daws Butler(1958–1959) Don Messick(1959–1996) Greg Burson(1991;Yo Yogi!) Billy West(Cartoon Network,1990s commercials) Corey Burton(1999–2002;Spümcøshorts) Scott Innes(briefly)[3] Jeff Bergman(2001-present)[4][5] Tom Cavanagh (Yogi Bear: The Video Game) Eric Bauza(Quicken Loanscommercial) |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | Mr. Ranger |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Family | Slippery Smith(evil twin) |
| Relatives | Yogi Bear(rival/friend) Boo-Boo Bear(friend) Cindy Bear(friend) |
John Francis Smith,more commonly referred to asRanger Smith(and known asMr. Rangerby Yogi and Boo-Boo), is a fictionalpark rangerfirst appearing in the 1958Yogi Bearcartoon series.[6]The character is Yogi's main antagonist, and appears in otherYogi Bearseries, includingYogi's Gang(1973),Yogi's Treasure Hunt(1985), andYo Yogi!(1991),[7]as well as the 2010 live-actionYogi Bearfilm. The cartoon character has been primarily voiced byDon MessickandGreg Burson.[7]
History
[edit]Character
[edit]A formerUS Armysoldier, he is the serious and stern authority figure in Jellystone Park, in contrast to the antics of the troublesome Yogi, and he greatly disapproves of Yogi'spicnic basketthievery, mainly because it repels parkgoers and creates extra work for him.
In the originalYogi Bearshorts onHuckleberry Hound,a different and unnamed character that would evolve into Ranger Smith had a much different appearance, looking older, and with a white mustache, though his voice was the same (this character model was eventually used for Smith's boss in later specials), and other rangers also served as the authority figures in early episodes. Even after his trademark appearance had been established, Ranger Smith's design was notably inconsistently drawn throughout each episode ofThe Yogi Bear Show.In one episode, he appears as his young self, but this may be his first actual encounter with Yogi, as he does not appear to recognize him and refers to Yogi as "that bear".
Ranger Smith is sometimes very friendly with Yogi. In other episodes, he wants nothing more than to send Yogi away to the zoo. The attitudes of the Ranger towards Yogi usually parallel Yogi's behavior; if Yogi is up to mischief, then Smith wants to be rid of him; if Yogi is trying to behave himself, the ranger is often supportive. He seems to have a deep-down, if not grudging, respect for Yogi. Although the two have a somewhat antagonistic relationship, if serious trouble were to befall one of them, the other usually attempts to rescue him. They also have a long-running, friendly rivalry.
Ranger Smith genuinely likesBoo-Boo,because Boo-Boo always tries to stay out of trouble, unlike Yogi. Some episodes have Ranger Smith answering to his superior, the park commissioner.
Reception and significance
[edit]Ranger Smith, together with similar children's characters such asRanger Rickand Disney'sRanger Woodlore,has become a stereotype of the Americanpark ranger.This had led to some complaints from the park rangers about their job being misunderstood and not treated seriously by the public, as these stereotypes fail to recognize some park rangers arelaw enforcement officers.[8][9]
Other appearances
[edit]
- Ranger Smith has appeared in some episodes ofYogi's Gang,in which he is seen with blond hair instead of black.
- Ranger Smith was a supporting character inYogi's Treasure Hunt.
- Ranger Smith appeared once (Quebec/Baghdad) inScooby's Laff-A-Lympics.
- Ranger Smith made a guest cameo in "The Story Stick" fromA Pup Named Scooby-Doo.
- Ranger Smith appeared in twotelevision films,which were part of theHanna-Barbera Superstars 10series:Yogi's Great Escape,andYogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears.
- InYo Yogi!,Ranger Smith is shown as Officer Smith (voiced byGreg Burson), who is asecurity guardat Jellystone Mall and often arrests the bad guys upon their defeat.
- Ranger Smith made a cameo appearance inI Am Weaselepisode "I Am My Lifetime", being jailed.
- Ranger Smith has become a starring character in parody shorts produced by the now-defunct animation companySpümcø,includingBoo Boo Runs Wild,A Day in the Life of Ranger Smith,andBoo Boo and the Man.In those appearances, Ranger Smith was voiced byCorey Burton.
- Various designs for Ranger Smith made nonspeaking appearances in theHarvey Birdman, Attorney at Lawepisode "Identity Theft", referencing the noticeable inconsistencies the design experienced in the original cartoon.
- Ranger Smith appeared in theRobot Chickenepisode "President Evil", voiced bySeth Green.In a movie trailer segment that featured Yogi and Boo Boo, Ranger Smith tells the sheriff that the cops will not catch Yogi, since he is smarter than the average bear. He was later featured in the "Power Forest Rangers" sketch of the show's 100th episode "Fight Club Paradise", voiced byJamie Kaler.
- Ranger Smith is portrayed by actorTom Cavanaghin theYogi Bearfeature film, released on December 17, 2010.
- Ranger Smith can be briefly spotted in aMetlifecommercial that aired in 2012.
- Ranger Smith appears in theHBO MaxseriesJellystone!,voiced again byJeff Bergman.He appears as the administrator of Jellystone Hospital.
- Ranger Smith appeared in theTeen Titans Go!episode "Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary".
Portrayers
[edit]From the time of the character's debut until 1996, Ranger Smith was voiced byDon Messick,using his natural voice. His last performance as the character was inYogi the Easter Bear.
InYo Yogi!,the character was known as Officer Smith and voiced byGreg Burson.
In theSpümcøshorts, Ranger Smith is voiced byCorey Burton.
Although more famous for his work in theScooby-Doofranchise,Scott Innesbriefly voiced Ranger Smith, as well.[3]
In theYogi Bearfilm, the character is portrayed byTom Cavanagh.[10][11]
Others
[edit]- Daws Butler(1958–1959)
- Frank Milano (1961, 1964;Songs of Yogi Bear and his PalsLP andHey There, It's Yogi Bear!LP)[12][13][14][15]
- Mike Stewart (1962;How to Be a Better-Than-the Average Child Without Really Trying!)[16]
- Billy West(Cartoon Network,1990s commercials)
- Jeff Bergman(2001, 2018, 2021–present;Lullabye-Bye Bear,Yogi Bearslot machine,Jellystone!)[4][5]
- Seth Green(2008, 2013;Robot Chicken,Mad)[17][18]
- Tom Cavanagh (Yogi Bear: The Video Game)
- Mikey Day(2011;Mad)
- Jamie Kaler(2012;Robot Chicken)
- Eric Bauza(Quicken Loanscommercial)
Animated media
[edit]Television shows
[edit]- The Huckleberry Hound Show(1958–1960)
- The Yogi Bear Show(1961–1962)
- Yogi's Gang(1973) (episodes "Mr. Prankster", "The Gossipy Witch", and "Lotta Litter" )
- Laff-A-Lympics(1977) (episode "Quebec, Canada and Baghdad, Iraq" )
- Yogi's Treasure Hunt(1985–1986)
- The New Yogi Bear Show(1988)
- A Pup Named Scooby-Doo(1988) (episode "The Story Stick" )
- A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration: 50 Years of Hanna-Barbera(1989)
- Yo Yogi!(1991) (voiced byGreg Burson)
- I Am Weasel(1998) (episode "I Am My Lifetime" )
- Boo Boo Runs WildandA Day in the Life of Ranger Smith(1999) (voiced byCorey Burton)
- Boo Boo and the Man(2000)
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law(2002) (episode "Identity Theft" )
- Jellystone!(2021)
Films and specials
[edit]- Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!(1964)
- Yogi's First Christmas(1980)
- Yogi Bear's All Star Comedy Christmas Caper(1982)
- Yogi's Great Escape(1987)
- Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears(1988)
- Yogi the Easter Bear(1994)
- Yogi Bear(2010) (portrayed byTom Cavanagh)
Video games
[edit]- Yogi Bear: Great Balloon Blast(2000)
- Yogi Bear: The Video Game(2010)
See also
[edit]- List of Hanna-Barbera characters
- List of Yogi Bear characters
- The Yogi Bear Show
- The New Yogi Bear Show
- Yogi's Treasure Hunt
References
[edit]- ^"Yogi's Picnic Part 1, Canada's Wonderland 1982".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-19.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
- ^"Yogi's Picnic 1982-Part 2 - Canada's Wonderland".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-12-19.RetrievedMay 15,2021.
- ^abGlass and Wentzel, Sherri and Jim (2007).Cool Careers Without College for People Who Love Manga, Comics, and Animation.Wentzel.ISBN9780786486946.
- ^ab"Yogi Bear Slot Machine Gameplay".YouTube.RetrievedMarch 6,2021.
- ^ab"Yogi Bear Slot Machine".Behind The Voice Actors.Retrieved2021-03-29.
- ^Woolery, George W. (1983).Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981, Part I: Animated Cartoon Series.Scarecrow Press. pp. 316–317.ISBN0-8108-1557-5.Retrieved9 April2020.
- ^abPerlmutter, David (2018).The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows.Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 717–720.ISBN978-1538103739.
- ^Miller, Stephanie (2010)."Talking'Bout My Generation".Journal of Forestry.108(7): 317–318.doi:10.1093/jof/108.7.317.ProQuest762232560.
- ^Pennaz, Alice B. Kelly (2017)."Is that Gun for the Bears? The National Park Service Ranger as a Historically Contradictory Figure".Conservation and Society.15(3): 243–254.doi:10.4103/cs.cs_16_62.ISSN0972-4923.JSTOR26393293.S2CID251786223.
- ^Fleming, Michael (30 November 2009)."Tom Cavanagh nabs 'Yogi Bear' role".Retrieved14 August2018.
- ^"No pic-a-nic for returning '60s icon".Retrieved14 August2018.
- ^"Golden Records First (and Last) Cartoon Music Compilation".cartoonresearch.com.Retrieved15 November2020.
- ^"Frank Milano - Songs Of Yogi Bear And His Pals (1961, Vinyl)".Discogs.RetrievedNovember 15,2020.
- ^"Total TeleVision Cartoons – on Records".cartoonresearch.com.Retrieved15 November2020.
- ^"Hanna-Barbera's First Movie Soundtrack".cartoonresearch.com.Retrieved15 November2020.
- ^"Frank Milano, Dottie Evans, Mike Stewart – How to Be a Better-Than-the Average Child Without Really Trying (1962, Vinyl)".Discogs.RetrievedMay 20,2021.
- ^"Voice(s) of Ranger Smith in Robot Chicken".Behind The Voice Actors.Retrieved2020-08-09.
- ^"Voice(s) of Ranger Smith in Mad".Behind The Voice Actors.Retrieved2020-11-15.