Woody Woodpecker, with his trademark laughing call, is one of the most iconic cartoon characters from the Golden Age of animation. First introduced in 1940, Woody’s manic energy and brash demeanor made him an instant hit. But while most fans could instantly recognize Woody’s signature laugh, many may not know that his nonsense vocals were more than just random sounds. In fact, Woody Woodpecker’s voice actor, Mel Blanc, was using a specific technique to voice the character.
Mel Blanc and Nonsense Words
Mel Blanc, known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” was the voice behind many classic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Barney Rubble. Blanc used his vocal talents to create unique voices that became an integral part of each character’s personality.
For Woody Woodpecker, Blanc developed a signature vocal style using nonsense words, sounds, and laughter. Nonsense words and scat singing—improvised vocal noises and mouth sounds—allowed Blanc to convey various attitudes and emotions. According to Blanc, nonsense words and sounds gave him more vocal freedom compared to actual words.
Woody’s Distinctive Laugh
The most famous part of Woody’s voice is his trademark “laughing call.” This manic, staccato laugh starts slowly, speeding up into a crazed cackle. It perfectly encapsulates the character’s wacky, hyperactive nature.
Woody’s laugh often incorporates nonsense phrases like “Guess who? Ha ha ha ha ha!” and “Hey hey hey hey hey!” He frequently laughs while doing mischievous deeds like pecking apart trees, houses, and annoying foes. The laugh is an essential part of Woody’s appeal.
Breaking Down Woody’s Voice
When listening closely to Woody Woodpecker’s vocalizations, certain patterns emerge. Let’s break down the specific nonsense words, sounds, and techniques that Blanc used to create Woody’s iconic voice.
Woody’s Go-To Nonsense Phrases
Woody repeats certain nonsense words and phrases frequently in his cartoons:
- “Ha ha ha ha ha!” – Woody’s signature laughing call
- “Guess who?” – Often said before pecking apart something
- “Hey hey hey hey hey!” – Used when laughing or energetic
- “Woody Woodpecker!” – Woody yells his name often
- “Ha cha cha cha!” – Used when excited or gleeful
These nonsense words and phrases capture Woody’s wacky personality. They allow Blanc to portray a range of emotions and attitudes, from mischievous to thrilled. The repetition also makes them highly memorable vocal trademarks.
Woody’s Distinctive Laugh
In addition to nonsense words, Woody’s manic laugh is a key part of his voice. His signature “ha ha ha ha ha!” incorporates different techniques:
- Staccato – Each “ha” is short and distinct
- Speeding up – The laugh increases in tempo
- Pitch range – The laugh goes up and down in pitch
- Changes in volume – Woody’s “ha” starts quietly then gets louder
Combining these methods creates an unhinged, frenetic laugh that matches Woody’s energetic personality. Mel Blanc was able to portray different emotions like excitement and mischief by modifying the speed, pitch, and volume.
Woody’s Other Vocal Sound Effects
In addition to verbal nonsense words, Woody makes a range of vocal sound effects:
- Woodpecker calls – Short sharp sounds imitating a woodpecker’s pecking
- Crazy whistling – Warbling up and down the musical scale
- Chattering – Fast high-pitched babbling when excited or angry
- Grunting – Throaty grunts and growls
- Screaming – Dramatic yelps and screams
These sounds enhance Woody’s vocal antics and energy. They add to the sense of madcap mayhem in Woody’s cartoons. Blanc expertly interspersed them between nonsense words and Woody’s signature laugh.
Why Nonsense Words Worked for Woody
Mel Blanc’s use of nonsense words, sounds, and vocal techniques was integral to bringing Woody Woodpecker’s character to life. But why was this nonsense style of voice acting so effective?
Allowing Exaggeration and Expressiveness
One reason nonsense vocals worked so well for Woody was they allowed for exaggeration and expressiveness. Unrestrained by normal words, Blanc could amplify Woody’s emotions and attitudes far beyond normal speech.
The exaggerated laugh, screaming, chattering, and other sound effects highlighted Woody’s crazy, hyperkinetic nature. Blanc used an exaggerated style to match Woody’s exaggerated cartoon movements and humor.
Instantly Establishing a Character Signature
Woody’s catchphrases like “Guess who?” and signature laugh instantly established his character. Using nonsense words allowed Blanc to create vocal trademarks that were uniquely identifiable with Woody.
Fans could immediately recognize Woody by his voice alone. The nonsense vocals became forever connected to the visual character.
Streamlining Dialogue and Storytelling
Woody’s shorts from the 1940s were fast-paced, dialogue-light cartoons. Having Woody communicate through nonsense noises and sounds helped streamline the storytelling.
There were no complicated conversations to bog down the frantic action. Woody’s vocal style matched the quick, kinetic energy of his character and cartoons.
Adding Comedic Value
The unhinged, frenetic nature of Woody’s vocalizations added to the comedy of his character. As a trickster foil, Woody’s manic vocal style highlighted his chaotic disruption of order.
Blanc’s energetic, exaggerated vocal portrayal intensified Woody’s humorous impact. The voice acting choices reinforced Woody’s role as an anarchic force of comedy.
Woody Woodpecker’s Lasting Pop Culture Influence
Woody Woodpecker remains a beloved cartoon icon over 80 years after his debut. A big part of the character’s appeal is inextricably tied to his signature voice and vocal style. Let’s look at some examples of Woody’s lasting impact on pop culture.
Inspiring Other Characters
Woody’s voice acting inspired the creation of other iconic cartoon characters. For example, Homer Simpson’s annoyed grunt “d’oh!” is similar to Woody’s grunts and screams.
Woody’s energetic nonsense vocal style can also be seen in characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and the Tasmanian Devil. Woody helped pave the way for similarly exaggerated, vocal character performances.
Appearing in Pop Culture References
Given his iconic status, Woody Woodpecker has been referenced many times in television, movies, and other media:
- In Toy Story 2, Buzz Lightyear gets stuck in “Woody’s Roundup” mode where he repeats “There’s a snake in my boot!” like Woody’s “Guess who?” catchphrase.
- In the horror movie The Cabin in the Woods, a character imitates Woody’s signature laugh.
- In the TV show Family Guy, Peter Griffin is replaced by Woody Woodpecker for a gag scene using Woody’s classic voice.
These pop culture nods pay tribute to the lasting impact of Woody’s voice and humor.
Woody Woodpecker Fan Tributes
Woody’s vocal style continues to inspire talented fans to recreate his signature sounds. Many amateur voice artists post their Woody impressions on YouTube, imitating his laugh, nonsense words, and other cartoon antics.
Some examples include Lancetimestep’s “Woody Woodpecker voice impressions” and Impressionist Mike Proud’s “Woody Woodpecker voice tutorial.” These tributes show Woody’s huge influence on comedic voice artists even decades later.
Conclusion
Woody Woodpecker’s voice is an integral part of his wild, energetic appeal. Mel Blanc’s use of exaggerated nonsense words, sounds, and vocal techniques created a truly unique vocal style. The nonsense vocals conveyed Woody’s wacky, trickster nature while creating a highly identifiable character signature.
Even decades later, Woody’s manic laugh remains iconic. His voice left a lasting impact on animation and voice acting. Whenever someone hears that infamous cackle, they instantly know it’s the one, the only, Woody Woodpecker!