Openings

“Openings” was inspired by an original image borrowed from the Bob Clampett archives.
 

The two openings seen here represent the two entities of Warner Bros. cartoons. The Warner Shield, which in some cases was just a WB, opened for the Looney Tunes cartoons, while the multi-colored ringed Merrie Melodies opening was utilized for musical-type cartoons that showcased music owned by Warner Bros.
 

“The Shield” used three main Looney Tunes characters; Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. Of these three, it was Bugs who had the most interaction with the shield. In many openings, Bugs would usually be found lying atop the shield, eating a carrot, until he noticed us looking at him. He would return a disdainful stare, and sometimes reach up to pull down a window shade over the scene.
 

Though both openings were widely used in Warner Bros. cartoons, “The Shield” eventually replaced Merrie Melodies’ concentric circles as the musical animation company was disbanded once producer Leon Schlesinger sold his stake in it.
 

Though updated, the Warner Bros shield is still widely used in Warner Bros.’ cinema, television and animation programming ,
 

The edition of 130 signifies 1930, which was the year the first Looney Tunes cartoon was released; Bosko’s Sinkin’ In The Bathtub. The first Merrie Melodies release was in 1931 with Lady Play Your Mandolin.