Today marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Elisha Graves Otis, inventor of the first safe elevator.
Born on August 3, 1811 in Halifax, Vermont, he founded the Otis Elevator Company, inventing a safety device that prevents elevators from falling if the hoisting cable fails. The device amazed a crowd at the 1854 New York World's Fair when he ordered the only rope holding the platform on which he was standing cut. The platform fell only a few inches before coming to a halt.
Elevators -- and their ups and downs -- have figured in many cartoons. Here are a few:
The Office Boy (Flip the Frog; Celebrity Productions, 1932)
Flip sneaks his way into an office boy job at Screwy Nut and Bolt Co. (O. Nertz, Pres.). He spends the rest of the time flirting with the shapely secretary, dancing, and chasing a mouse. Sexual and toilet gags abound until Flip is fired and crashes into the elevator with the now towel-clad secretary, and we hear "Going down!"
Hare-Um Scare-Um(Merrie Melodies; Warner Bros., 1939)
When a hunter learns of higher meat prices due to a meat shortage, he goes off gunning for a crazy rabbit- but runs into constant obstacles. This early incarnation does what Bugs does best: outwitting hunters, getting the better of dogs, and singing about how crazy he is. The rabbit opens an elevator door in the side of a mountain, announcing the floors' merchandise as if he were an elevator operator.
Symphony Hour (Mickey Mouse; Walt Disney Studios, 1942)
Never leave the instruments of a radio symphony orchestra in care of Goofy. That's what Mickey does, they end up getting squashed in a elevator, and the orchestra ends up sounding like Spike Jones.
Barefaced Flatfoot (Mister Magoo; UPA Productions, 1951)
Magoo's nephew, Waldo, crashes his uncle's car into a pole. He needs $100 to fix the damage. Magoo, suspicious of Waldo's need for $100 and engrossed in detective novels, decides to follow him. As usual, Magoo is totally off, pushing Waldo down an elevator shaft after mistaking him for a "sloe-eyed temptress." Everything turns out OK in the end as Magoo, jubilant after what he perceives as cracking the case, caves in and gives Waldo the money to fix the car.
The Elevator Lift(The Dick Tracy Show; UPA Productions, 1960)
Disguised as two elevator repairmen, Stooge Villa and Mumbles attempt to break into the Fleabag Hotel's vault. The hotel is missing its elevator. Getting a report of strange activities, Dick Tracy sends Go Go Gomez to investigate. But Stooge and Mumbles grab the detective and force him to help them break into the hotel's safe. Making a radio call to his superior, Go Go asks Tracy to send a patrol wagon outside the hotel. In short order, Stooge and Mumbles are caught again.
The Diabolical Department Store Danger(The Perils of Penelope Pitstop; Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1969)
Penelope goes to a department store to watch a fashion show, but things start going wrong when The Hooded Claw turns up. Penelope is put through things like out-of-control elevators, lawnmowers and nearly being crushed. But her quick wits and the Ant Hill Mob are more than enough for The Hooded Claw!
Tower Escape by Tower Elevator(Animaniacs; Warner Bros. Television Animation, 1993)
The Warners escape the water tower by turning it into a giant elevator and lowering the entire water tower to the ground.
Tower Return by Tower Elevator(Animaniacs; Warner Bros. Television Animation, 1993)
The Warners return to the water tower by turning it into a giant elevator and lowering the entire water tower to the ground to pick them up. When they make it to the top, they drop an anvil on Ralph.
Pursuit- Office Elevators(Animaniacs; Warner Bros. Television Animation, 1993)
The Warners are chased by Ralph up and down elevators in an office building.
Going Up (Corduroy; Nelvana Limited, 2000)
The apartment building elevator's out of order. For an energetic kid like Lisa, this doesn't pose much of a problem. But for some other tenants, such as the elderly, new mothers and Moppy's dad, who twisted his ankle, the stairs are a problem. Lisa and Corduroy provide a helping hand and sturdy legs to those in need of assistance.
Ètages Mécaniques(Oggy Et Les Cafards; Xilam Animation, 2001)
English title of episode: "Going Up." English title of series: Oggy And The Cockroaches. The stairs at Oggy's house are too long, and it's difficult for him to climb them up when chasing the cockroaches. So he buys an elevator for making it easier to go to the second floor. But soon, cockroaches make everything go out of control.
Clip Show (Totally Spies!; Marathon Studios, 2004)
The spies are called away from a movie date-night at the mall to stop an intruder at the nearby Internal Office Of Information. When they attempt to stop the bad guy from stealing important government documents, he tricks them into following him into the building's elevator. Then he promptly escapes out the roof hatch and cuts the elevator's cable, leaving the spies in quite the precarious situation. With no compowders, no gadgets and no hope, the spies prepare for their demise, reminiscing about their days as WOOHP agents. Alternate title of episode: "The Elevator."
Pit Of Doom (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!; Walt Disney Studios, 2004)
With the monkeys always beating the Formless before he does, Chiro is starting to feel a bit useless. After a failed attempt to catch the creatures before his teammates did, he discovers that the citizens of Shuggazoom City have mysteriously disappeared. And a trip inside a weird elevator with no buttons leaves Chiro inprisoned in a massive pit. But with the help of the Power Primate, he is able to call his team. They come to his rescue, only to be captured as well. Can they escape this Pit of Doom and get all of the citizens back home?
Hot Rod, Elevators, And Genie Meanie(Gerald McBoing Boing; Cookie Jar Entertainment, 2005)
In the "Gags" segment, Gerald uses his sounds to get on a crowded elevator.
The Elevator(Wayside; Nelvana Limited, 2006)
Todd and Kidswatter get stuck in the school's elevator, which only goes sideways (instead of up and down). Dana, Maurecia and Myron attempt a daring rescue before Kidswatter completely flips out.
Ups and Downs (Handy Manny; Nelvana Limited, 2008)
Manny gets stuck inside of an elevator.
-------------------------
"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman