MADRID, Spain.- Cuban cartoons, known as “muñequitos”, are an essential part of the popular imagination. Today in CubaNet we remember some of the most enjoyed, with which several generations of Cubans have grown up.
elpidio valdes
Undoubtedly, the iconic character of Cuban cartoons is “Elpidio Valdés”, created by the cartoonist and filmmakerJuan Padrón (1947-2020) and that appeared for the first time in February 1970 in the weekly Pionero.
In 1972, Elpidio hit the screens with the animation of the character: He starred in three feature films: elpidio valdes (ICAIC, 1979); Elpidio Valdés against Dollar and Cañón (ICAIC, 1983) and Elpidio Valdés against the Eagle and the Lion. (ICAIC – Telemadrid, 1995); a television series: Más se perdido en Cuba and almost 30 short films.
This mambí colonel, who “represents” a hero of Cuba’s independence struggles against the Spanish colony, has accompanied generations of Cubans, who know by heart his most typical expressions such as “Hasta la vista, compay!”, ” Yours, just in case, míste” or “Corneta, play `A degüello´”.
Among the co-starring characters that accompany or face Elpidio are Palmiche, his horse; María Silvia, his girlfriend and niece of the Head of the volunteer corps; Eutelia, a girl always with María Silvia; Pepito, the cornet of the mambises; Comandante Marcial, assistant friend of Elpidio; Pomarosa, a cow that helps the mambises; Mr. Chains, American landowner; Media Cara, captain of the counterguerrilla and Cortico’s assistant.
Many of the voices of these characters correspond to the talented dubbing actors Frank González, Irela Bravo, Carlos González and Teresita Rúa.
Guaso and Carbide
This popular duo of a dog and his pet (another dog) was created by comedian Luis Castillo. They were initially part of Los Quemarrisas, but Guaso and Carburo separated from the rest of the characters to have their own adventures, which basically consisted of facing pirates, thieves and mischievous rats.
Among the animated shorts of these characters, the following stand out: “Sofrito and Carbide against the mice”, “Ratón huevero”, “Guaso against rats”, “Almacén de Acopio”, “Guaso against the pirates”.
The theme of these cartoons belonged to the renowned American jazz player Herbie Hancock.
chuncha
The old lady Chuncha, created by the cartoonist and scriptwriter Gaspar González, represents the Cuban cederistas.
Released in 1966, at first the character – a member of the CDR and the FMC – was limited to transmitting messages to comply with the CDR guard or save electricity and water. In 1967 Chuncha released another image, more humorous and lasting about 10 minutes.
This lady is always accompanied by her dog Cacharro, another nice character.
As popular as they are the phrase “Alabao”, which Chuncha pronounces in all the chapters.
Cecilin and Coty
No less remembered are the boy Cecilín and his parrot Coty, by the illustrator Cecilio Avilés. This drawing appeared as a comic strip in 1979 in the weekly Pioneerand in 1980 it was taken to film and television.
In their adventures, Cecilín and Coty protect the native nature of Cuba and face criminals.
Among the most popular episodes is “Contra dos pillos”, in which Coty is kidnapped by two thieves who wanted her to decorate a cake and use her in a robbery. Cecilín confronts the thieves and helps the police catch them.
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