Could Speedy Gonzales be a caricature of a real life hero who was probably very unpopular in the US even upto the times in which these cartoons were made?
Notice how a Mexican Revolutionary General was robbing trains (as it is, non-whites were not appreciated in the South - especially upto the 1960's).
From Wikipedia: in 1916, U.S. Army General John J. Pershing tried unsuccessfully to capture Villa in a nine-month pursuit that ended when the United States entered into World War I
From Wikipedia: in 1916, U.S. Army General John J. Pershing tried unsuccessfully to capture Villa in a nine-month pursuit that ended when the United States entered into World War I
Speedy Gonzales: A Mexican Robin Hood?
More complete extract from Wikipedia:
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula (5 June 1878 – 20 July 1923) – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or his nickname Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominentMexican Revolutionary generals.
As commander of the División del Norte (Division of the North), he was the veritable caudillo of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua which, given its size, mineral wealth, and proximity to the United States of America, provided him with extensive resources. Villa was also provisionalGovernor of Chihuahua in 1913 and 1914. Although he was prevented from being accepted into the "panteón" of national heroes until some 20 years after his death, today his memory is honored by Mexicans. In addition, numerous streets and neighborhoods in Mexico are named in his honor.
Villa and his supporters seized hacienda land for distribution to peasants and soldiers. Herobbed and commandeered trains, and, like the other revolutionary generals, printed fiat moneyto pay for his cause. Villa's men and supporters became known as Villistas during the revolution from 1910 to roughly 1920.
Villa's dominance in northern Mexico was broken in 1915 through a series of defeats he suffered at Celaya and Agua Prieta at the hands of Álvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles. After Villa's famous raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1916, U.S. Army General John J. Pershingtried unsuccessfully to capture Villa in a nine-month pursuit that ended when the United States entered into World War I and Pershing was called back. Villa retired in 1920 and was given a large estate which he turned into a "military colony" for his former soldiers. In 1923, he decided to re-involve himself in Mexican politics and as a result was assassinated, most likely on the orders of Obregón.
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula (5 June 1878 – 20 July 1923) – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or his nickname Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominentMexican Revolutionary generals.
As commander of the División del Norte (Division of the North), he was the veritable caudillo of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua which, given its size, mineral wealth, and proximity to the United States of America, provided him with extensive resources. Villa was also provisionalGovernor of Chihuahua in 1913 and 1914. Although he was prevented from being accepted into the "panteón" of national heroes until some 20 years after his death, today his memory is honored by Mexicans. In addition, numerous streets and neighborhoods in Mexico are named in his honor.
Villa and his supporters seized hacienda land for distribution to peasants and soldiers. Herobbed and commandeered trains, and, like the other revolutionary generals, printed fiat moneyto pay for his cause. Villa's men and supporters became known as Villistas during the revolution from 1910 to roughly 1920.
Villa's dominance in northern Mexico was broken in 1915 through a series of defeats he suffered at Celaya and Agua Prieta at the hands of Álvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles. After Villa's famous raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1916, U.S. Army General John J. Pershingtried unsuccessfully to capture Villa in a nine-month pursuit that ended when the United States entered into World War I and Pershing was called back. Villa retired in 1920 and was given a large estate which he turned into a "military colony" for his former soldiers. In 1923, he decided to re-involve himself in Mexican politics and as a result was assassinated, most likely on the orders of Obregón.
This is the standard description for this cartoon from a movie database:
From IMDB:
Speedy Gonzales is a cartoon character from the Looney Tunes. He is a Mexican mouse.
He first appeared in the cartoon "Cat-Tails for Two".
He has super-speed, being "the fastest mouse in all Mexico".
He uses his speed and intelligence to help his fellow mice when they are in trouble. His enemies are Sylvester the Cat (who wants to eat them all) and Daffy Duck (who wants to con them or drive them out of their land).
He is known for his catchphrase "¡Andale andale andale, ARRIBA YEEEHAAAA!!!!!!!!"
In "Looney Tunes: Back in Action", he appears in the Warner Bros studios, whining about how he is considered to be politically incorrect.
In the television series "Tiny Toons", we see his nephew, Sneezy Gonzales, who has super-strong sneezes.
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