The Transit Lounge

Meera Atkinson

Life on earth without animals is unimaginable. Most cultures depend on them as a source of food and labour, but animals also take a central place in our mythology, imaginations and childhoods. They are central to our emotional and spiritual lives as well as our practical lives. The Transit Lounge salutes ten great animal icons.

Peter Rabbit
Dreamt up by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit, a bunny in coat and clogs, was introduced in 1902 in The Tale of Peter Rabbit and quickly become a children’s favourite. In contrast to his sensible siblings, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, Peter gets up to all kinds of mischief, often to do with food, before finally growing up and getting married. Loved by fans for his childlike innocence, Peter’s magic is brought to life by exquisite artwork that has withstood the test of time. 

 

Bambi
Bambi is the hero of the 1942 animated Disney classic of the same name. Early on, Bambi befriends a young rabbit, Thumper, and a young skunk called Flower. Life is mostly lovely in the woods until his mother is killed by a hunter. The death of Bambi’s mother is one of the most poignant moments of loss on film. Even though he grows up to become a father, Bambi remains forever in our minds as a vulnerable and adorable fawn.

 

Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse, another Disney creation, appeared in 1928. “When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity,” said the great man himself. He is remembered more now as a symbol of Disney than for his antics. In 1978, in honour of his 50th birthday, Mickey became the first cartoon character to be allocated a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Aslan
Aslan, the 'Great Lion', is the star of the CS Lewis classic, The Chronicles of Narnia, a seven-novel fantasy series. Aslan was described by the author as an alternative version of Christ — an enlightened being, all-wise, benevolent and a guide to those who visit Narnia. A magical and powerful character, he is indeed King of the jungle. Aslan has for generations been a great comfort to his readers, embodying the kind of all-seeing, loving and protective security children so desperately need.

 

Mister Ed
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse of course, that is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed. So goes the theme song to the 1960s television show. While Mister Ed doesn’t do a lot apart from hang in his stable, he does busy himself by messing with owner Wilbur’s mind and complicating his life — Wilbur being the only person to whom Mister Ed talks.

 

Lassie
Lassie, the famous Collie, was created in 1938. For decades Lassie was played on screen by descendents of Pal, the first dog to play Lassie in the 1943 Hollywood film, Lassie Come Home. When in recent years non-Pal descended dogs were employed for a new Lassie television series the uproar from devotees was such that the producers were forced to bring in a ninth-generation direct descendant of Pal. Whatever their blood line, the canine actors may come and go but Lassie is in our hearts to stay.

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo
Skippy is the most iconic of all antipodean animals, the kangaroo version of Lassie: loyal, intuitive and excellent in a crisis. Immortalised in the 1960s TV series, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, he was the pet roo of Sonny Hammond, a freckle-faced kid who lived in the bush with his ranger dad. The inhabitants of Waratah National Park were usually three steps behind the Eastern Grey roo when it came to sussing out a dangerous scenario and young Sonny’s earnest plea of, “What is it Skip?” is as unforgettable as the distinctive theme song.

Felix the Cat
Felix the Cat dates all the way back to the silent film era. With his enormous smile, he is one of the great cartoon images of all time. Felix is owned by Pat Sullivan, an Australian cartoonist/film entrepreneur, but there is dispute as to whether Pat or Otto Messmer, an American animator, should be credited as Felix’s creator. Felix the Cat cartoons are lauded for their surrealistic sensibility and many view Felix as a representation of the child’s sense of wonder. A later incarnation gave us a tamer Felix and introduced his Magic Bag of Tricks, a most handy source of assistance in just about any situation.

 

King Kong
King Kong is one of the most tragic of animal icons. The storyline of the landmark 1933 movie portrays King Kong, a giant gorilla, as a fallen hero at the centre of a complex tale about man’s messing with nature and fearful attacks on the 'other', along with a glaring erotic subtext. Taken from his island home to New York to be a novelty act, Kong, misunderstood and persecuted, is killed by the military atop the Empire State Building in what is one of the most memorable and heartbreaking scenes in cinematic history.

Noah’s Ark Animals
According to the Book of Genesis, a large vessel was built at God’s command to save Noah and his family from the great flood, along with couples of every animal species. Whether one ascribes to a literal or metaphorical interpretation of the story, or indeed an atheistic one, the countless images depicting the animals marching two-by-two have resonated profoundly in ou minds.

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