Obit: Bill Mauldin

Subject: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: kendall
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:23 PM

His cartoons of the soldiers in WW2 and Korea were outstanding. He also did the one of Lincoln's statue mourning the assination of JFK.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 10:04 PM

A graduate of the Academy of Fine Art in Chicago. Not afraid of controversy. A little about him at this site: Bill Mauldin
His Willy and Joe cartoons were prized. See: Willy and Joe

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: musicmick
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 01:41 AM

I read his prize winning book, UP FRONT, when I was a teenager. It was the most sympathetic look at the reality of a "Dog Face" soldier's life. His work with the army paper, STARS AND STRIPES, was his best, I think. I'm not sure if UP FRONT is still in print. I dont think that the sequel, BACK HOME, is available but it would be worth asking your library about. I do remember that drawing of Lincoln crying after the assasination of Kennedy. I think that one was a prize winner, too. Did you happen to see Mauldin in the movie, The Red Badge of Courage"? He had a major role and received second billing to Audie Murphy. (Murphy, of course, was the most decorated soldier of WW2 and Mauldin was the most honored reporter of that conflict). Walt Kelly used to quote Mauldin in Pogo. The left has too few heros with Mauldin's wit and heart. The giants are irreplacable.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 06:52 PM

For many years during (I think) the 1950s and 60s, Mauldin was the editorial cartoonist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. During the early formation of my own political conscience/consciousness, I often admired Mauldin's ability to succinctly illustrate a political point of view.

I remember that picture of Lincoln weeping. I think it was based on the statue in the Lincoln Memorial. I'd bet it first appeared in the Post Dispatch.

Another cartoon that stands out in my memory: JFK dressed as a western sherriff, pinning a "deputy" badge on his brother Robert, referring to JFK's nominating RFK as his attorney-general. In the cartoon, the difference between their ages was exaggerated, and RFK looked like a gawky teenager, but JFK's confident wisdom seemed to make up for RFK's inexperience. I think somebody in my family must have pinned that picture up on a wall somewhere; otherwise, I can't think of why it would have made such an impression on me. Anyway, the humor was gentle; the caracatures were not exaggerated so much as to make them look ridiculous. In some ways, his style reminds me of Norman Rockwell, but with more of a political edge; thoroughly liberal, but not hostile.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: DougR
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 06:59 PM

I have a copy of "Back Home" that I bought the year it was published. I also have a copy of "The Brass Ring," published in 1971. Many of his best WW2 cartoons are in that book too.

He was a great cartoonist I thought.

DougR

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 01:22 AM

He was, certainly, a great cartoonist. I loved his work. When Up Front came out dad bought a copy which is still in the family. My favorite is the cavalry officer shooting his broken axeled jeep. Bill Mauldin, Walt Kelly, giants, indeed.

CB

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:06 AM

Link alarm

Guest Q's link to Bill Mauldin contains a printer's error; you'll never find a document with the extension "*.htn".
Corrected: Bill Mauldin
Thanks for reminding us of this great artist. Having been an infantry draftee for decades, I mostly appreciate his insight in the grunts of the "Crown of the Weapons".

Wilfried

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Genie
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 03:15 AM

What a shame to lose a great "characterist" (Hirschfeld) and a great political cartoonist (Mauldin) in one week!

I understand that Bill Mauldin had gone into a nursing home, suffering from Alzheimer's, in the past few years. His memory was failing, but many WWII service men and others had begun to visit regularly, plastering his room with newspaper clippings, when they found out he was there. He was, indeed, a beloved American.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: musicmick
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 04:58 PM

He was a most gentle and incisive voice for liberalism. He was a courageous writer who was never so married to a position that he was unable to see the other side. BACK HOME was a wonderful exposition of the veteran's experience in the post-war chaos. I remember the movies that were made from the two Willie and Joe books. I;m having a senior moment, here. I cant remember who starred in them. I think it was David Wayne and Tom D'Andrea but I might be way off.
If Mauldin had done nothing but draw for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, he would have been a giant in his field. His sketches during the civil rights movement were magnificent. I wont soon forget his take on Little Rock.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:23 PM

What a great artist! Original, a fine writer, an amzing sense of irony, and one of my heroes when I was a kid. Yup, I wanted sooo much to be a political cartoonist, but I got sidetracked. Wish I'd hung with it.

Along with the "MAD magazine" artists and some of the "Marvel" ones (and later, that truly amazing, original whack-ball, R. Crumb) he was a gem.

Thanks kendall.

Rick

"Well, if you know of a better hole....go to it!"

Subject: RE: Obit: Bill Mauldin
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:38 PM

Recent articles from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch :

Bill Mauldin's obituary

An excerpt from "Up Front"

A tribute to Bill Mauldin by cartoonist Jeff Danziger

I was hoping to find some actual cartoons, but no luck.