With exceptions like Gene’s “Paul Bunyan,” his watercolors were not meant to amuse us. But those who knew him, knew a wickedly funny man with a keen eye on current events including pop culture and politics. In this series of political cartoons we presume Gene created in the 1960s, we are both impressed by his ability to capture the likeness of public figures of the day (if you don’t know them, take a minute and google their images) - and we are educated! And if there’s one thing that beats being educated, it’s being educated while being amused! (Note: captions are by Alan and Lucy with a little help from their friends … sorry, Papa, if we screwed up the punchline!) (And stay tuned, we have further plans for this body of work!)
President John F Kennedy’s appointment of his 35 year old brother Robert Francis Kennedy as the youngest attorney general since 1814 was controversial; he lacked experience in practicing law but, in the end, was a very successful AG who enforced civil rights, combatted organized crime, and helped the poor.
It appears that this doctor is more interested in lobbying against Medicare (in order, perhaps, to preserve his salary?) than in curing a sick man.
Richard Nixon lost the race for California Governor to Pat Brown in 1962, subsequently blaming the media, saying, “you won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.” This event was highlighted in a November 11, 1962 special on ABC called “The Political Obituary of Richard M Nixon,” that featured Alger Hiss - who, in 1950, had been convicted of perjury related to a 1948 charge of spying for the Soviet Union in the 1930s. Public sympathy for Nixon grew after the special, as many people thought it inappropriate to give convicted felon Hiss air time to attack the former VP.
Air Force General Curtis Lemay clashed with President Kennedy, arguing to bomb nuclear missile sites in Cuba. After the crisis - after the Soviets agreed to withdraw their missiles - LeMay continued to push invasion of Cuba. In this piece, despite Kennedy’s and Secretary of Defense McNamara’s attempts to “muzzle the military,” LeMay “paints” where he pleased.
When an ostrich buries its head in the sand, it refuses to deal with unpleasant realities and possible dangers by pretending they do not exist. On this ostrich’s back, a man watches the skies for ICBM (ballistic missiles) while inside, a family relaxes, knowing they might easily make a “fast exit” to an underground shelter - and equally poised to enjoy “old fashioned creature comforts.”
We like this cartoon, but don’t quite get it. In 1960, CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers’s plane was shot down over Russia. After almost two years as a POW, he returned to the US to controversy, as many thought he should’ve destroyed evidence on his plane and/or used his suicide pill in order to avoid interrogation. We can’t find a report that states that he brought back “answers” - but we’re certain that Gene had “answers” that we don’t …
This is another we just don’t quite understand. Robert C Weaver was Kennedy’s head of a newly created department called HUD - Housing and Urban Development - opposed by some Republicans and southern Democrats; he was also the first African American appointed to a cabinet-level position - and held three degrees from Harvard at the time. Why is Kennedy hiding behind Weaver? Perhaps he’s deflecting blame for creating HUD?
The final three cartoons come from a vast collection featuring a character we lovingly refer to as “the Senator.” We don’t believe the Senator is a specific politician, but a “generic” one that Gene uses to lampoon politicians and politics - and life.
