The original orgins of Duffy?

[flynnibus]

So we all know the story put in the books about Duffy... but what is the true origin of Duffy's design and start?

I found it interesting that in the Walt's Office Exhibit at DHS.. which is supposed to be an exact reconstruction of his office when he died.. look at what is on the shelf... bears that look exactly like duffy!

They are seen around the 0:30 mark


Anyone know more about this?

[aimster]

You mean those 3 bear figurines? I don't think they look like Duffy. I think they're supposed to depict the Three Bears (from the old story). If you look close, you can see one's a mama bear (carrying a picnic basket), papa bear and the small one being the baby bear.

[DuffyDaisuki]

I think they're probly just a well-dressed version of the Country Bears out for a picnic, but I gotta admit that I love the idea that Duffy was actually already a seed in Walt Disney's fertile imagination!^^

[flynnibus]

You mean those 3 bear figurines? I don't think they look like Duffy

Don't look like duffy?

The face shape
The fur style
The color scheme of the bear
The eyes
The nose is the same design, just elongated on the figurines

Besides the longer nose.. they are dead ringers for the Duffy Bear

[gurgi]

Don't look like duffy?

The face shape
The fur style
The color scheme of the bear
The eyes
The nose is the same design, just elongated on the figurines

Besides the longer nose.. they are dead ringers for the Duffy Bear

The faces bear a resemblance...oh, pun intended, I guess. The thing is, Disney bears tend to have that face. The country bears do too. Marc Davis especially liked to have skin tones around the eyes. The bear from "The Pointer" (1939) looks like this too.




Here's a classic Donald Duck short, "Dumbell of the Yukon" with a similar bear..and cub.





Even in the comics, bears had that "face". See this example from a Donald Duck comic.



I agree with Aimster that those figurines represent the 3 bears. They do look like Duffy relatives, but the distinct thing about Duffy is his "Mickey Mark" pawprints and backside. His face really is in the "grand tradition" of other Disney bears though, and there is a resemblance...maybe not by accident.

[flynnibus]

I'm not saying these bears are duffy.. I'm saying duffy looks like them and asking where does the design originate?

people say the bears face is made to look like a mickey.. but these designs seem to pre-date the notion of using the iconic mickey silhouette.

[Diznygrl]

Well they look very familiar (particularly the littlest bear), like I've seen them before in an old Disney cartoon short. But I can't put my finger on it. Yes, most likely The Three Bears, but I don't remember what the exact short looked like.



ETA: Most teddy bears have a lighter colored fur around their muzzle area, sometimes extending around the eyes. I just think Disney took it a step further with Duffy/Disney Bear and refined the shape of it to resemble a Mickey.

[gurgi]

I'm not saying these bears are duffy.. I'm saying duffy looks like them and asking where does the design originate?

people say the bears face is made to look like a mickey.. but these designs seem to pre-date the notion of using the iconic mickey silhouette.

I agree with you. I think it's kind of a standard design, especially for Disney. I just think with Duffy, they said his face looks like Mickey, and then they added the other icons to his feet and butt. There is definitely a "family resemblance".

Well they look very familiar (particularly the littlest bear), like I've seen them before in an old Disney cartoon short. But I can't put my finger on it. Yes, most likely The Three Bears, but I don't remember what the exact short looked like.

Check out the two I linked pictures of. "The Pointer" from 1939 starring Mickey Mouse and Pluto, and "Dumbell of the Yukon" from 1946, starring Donald Duck (and a cameo from Daisy). The bears in both shorts look like Duffy...well, the face.

ETA: Most teddy bears have a lighter colored fur around their muzzle area, sometimes extending around the eyes. I just think Disney took it a step further with Duffy/Disney Bear and refined the shape of it to resemble a Mickey.

I agree, I think it's kind of a standard design, and Disney just tweaked it a little to make it more "Mickey shaped", and then added the other details. That's why Duffy looks both familiar and new at the same time...at least in my opinion.