- Frito Bandito
The Frito Bandito was the
cartoon mascot forFritos corn chips from1967 to1971 . The Bandito was created by the Foote, Cone & Belding Agency, and animated byTex Avery . The character was voiced byMel Blanc , who used an exaggerated Mexican accent not unlike another character of his,Speedy Gonzales . The Frito Bandito spoke broken English and robbed people of their Frito corn chips, a reference to the “Mexican bandit” stereotype inwestern movie s. He also complained that he was being pursued by the “Frito Bureau of Investigation”.Pressure from the
National Mexican-American Anti-Defamation Committee and others prompted an update to the character; his gold tooth andstubble were eliminated and his hair combed. The character was completely retired in1971 . [ [http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2007/04/27/07 OnTheMedia.org, April 27, 2007] ] He was initially replaced by the Muncha Bunch, a group of cowboys perhaps influenced by "The Wild Bunch ", then they were replaced byW. C. Fritos , modelled after comedianW.C. Fields . [ [http://www.toonopedia.com/frito.htm Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Frito Bandito] ]The Frito Bandito campaign included a song sung to the tune of “
Cielito Lindo ”.References
External links
* [http://www.tvacres.com/admascots_frito.htm TV Acres info about Frito Bandito]
* [http://www.sdlatinofilm.com/trends12.html "There May Be a Frito Bandito in Your House"]
* [http://www.thebandito.org Frito Bandito information and Graphics]
* [http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2008_01_29.html#014722 POV Online: "News from Me"] (column byMark Evanier ), January 29, 2008
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