Artist: GEORGE STUDDY (1878-1948)
|
The "Studdy Dog" first appeared in 1921 in an English "Children's Annual". Although the pup's antics captured the interest of the readers, it was still only known as the "Studdy Dog". The editor, Bruce Ingram, received many letters complaining that even though the dog had become the Nation's pet, they felt that it was time to reveal the dog's name. So on November 8, 1922, it was announced that the little dog was called "Bonzo". He appeared in many advertisements, selling everything from tobacco, cars, soap, and polish to confectionery and pickles. He was also featured among the first neon signs put up in London's Piccadilly Circus, when the area was developed to rival that in Times Square, New York in 1924. In October 1924 the Producer William A. Ward collaborated with George Studdy to produce the first of 26 films featuring "Bonzo" for New Era Films. In 1929, "Bonzo" had gone transatlantic, and was syndicated by King Features Inc. as well as appearing in such magazines as The American Weekly and a new series of small hardback books. |