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Jolly the Chimp

18 comments
When I was a kid there was this toy called the Jolly Chimp. It was a frightening chimp doll that would bang its cymbals, then bare its teeth while, with eyes bulging out of his sockets. It didn't seem like a kid's toy, and I think that's what the allure was. I never owned one as a kid, but my cousin had one, and I was mesmerized.

This toy has now become sort of iconic in that it's been featured in various movies, Close Encounters, Monkey Shines, and now in Toy Story 3. Ironically I drew this before watching the movie.

(OK, a side note, I'm such a fan of this nightmarish toy, as an adult I've collected and refurbished several of them and have two, mint, still in the box. There, I've said too much already.)

18 comments :

Kendra Melton said...

these monkeys are SO creepy. They need sunglasses on at all times. Love the thoughtless expression on the left one. :]

Adam Temple said...

I'd love to see that top one in action. Great attitude.

Erika Baird said...

That monkey gets +10 creepy points for being an actual toy. I had no idea.

Jelter said...

haha the 2nd ones the best!

Seo Kim said...

awesome!!

A. Riabovitchev said...

Ha-Ha!funny Chimp!:o)

garymyers said...

Oh, I took my sons to see TS3 and as soon as the monkey appeared the 2 younger ones put their hands over their eyes and said "Daddy I don't like the monkey! I don't like the MONKEY!!"

David Colman said...

ha ha youre old.....


love ya Moe

Isaac Orloff Illustration said...

This definitely seems like something that may have terrified me as a child. I love when your little and you see something thats scary you just cant look away, you just cant help but stare. Nice drawings!

Avner Geller said...

beautiful drawings Marcelo! these guys have so much personality :)

Patrick Ballesteros said...

That's hilarity! I remember those, creepy lil buggers but I dig the humor you gave them.

-Patrick

Omar "OX" Rodriguez said...

The one in toy story was so funny....These toys just scream -comedy.

Hans said...

Haha, they're awesome! I want one too! Can't have it in the bedroom though...

Unknown said...

LOVE THE MONKEYS!! THey make me smile and giggles!! HE! HE!! HE! HE!! HE!

Ted Blackman said...

Wow, a side to you I didn't know about, repairing old battery toys. I repaired 14 battery op toys for a guy at WB and got them all running, most of them hadn't run since the sixties, and I had to fabricate quite a few parts. The most difficult was the bubble blowing elephant with rotten bellows. How come you never brought your monkeys to work? Great drawings, Moe!

Lubomir said...

:) The middle one's the best for sure!

Marcelo Vignali said...

Thanks everyone.

Yes Kendra, Erika, these monkeys ARE creepy.

Gary, now you know what to buy him for his birthday.

Coh, thanks for making me feel old.

Ted, you rock. You can not only fix toys, you also fix motorcycles! That's way above anything I can do. We've got to get our toy collections together, when can you come over to play?

Marcos Mateu said...

Great drawings! ...and great story Marcelo! :))