Mel Blanc: The Man of a Thousand Voices (hardback) Hardcover – November 11, 2012

I have purchased a couple of other books from the pen of Ben Ohmart within the last several years and so when I first learned that a book about Mel Blanc was on the horizon I couldn't wait until it's release.Throughout the book there is commentary from Mel's son, Noel, taken from an unpublished biography that Noel wrote about his father. Noel's words appear in bold print. There is considerable detail written about Mel's near fatal car accident in 1961, the impact Bugs Bunny made in reviving him from a coma, and the long road to recovery that lay ahead in a full body cast. You'll see pictures of Mel during that time period and read about all the effort made by the various cartoon studios to turn his hospital room, and later, his home, into a temporary recording studio.Ohmart's book features many, many, MANY facts about a man who became one of the most busiest actors in radio, cartoons, and records...and later added television appearances to his long list of credits.Speaking of credits...this book gives a detailed account on everything that Mel Blanc took part in from the early days of his career through his final projects in 1989. It's truly a fabulous, unique, and addictive kind of book for those who are not only fans of Mel Blanc but of classic animated cartoons in general, whether theatrically released or made-for-TV. You get a cartoon-by-cartoon snapshot detailing Mel's involvement in the project, however major or minor it might've been; plus, you get a complete overview of his recording career and the comedy records that were released on him and the numerous radio programs that he either guest starred in or had recurring characters in. An entire separate book could've easily been published to examine these credits but they've all been collected and presented within this one book.The book is also filled with quotes and remembrances by a long list of celebrities in an out of animation that Mel worked with or were inspired by. Mel's friendship with Jack Benny is explored in more detail in this book, too. The book is lengthy but this shouldn't be a surprise for an actor of Mel's considerable longevity. Before hitting national radio in the late '30s, right around the time he was just starting his decades long run with Warner Brothers cartoons, Mel was a feature on local radio for a period of years in Oregon. In addition to the written word there are plenty of pictures throughout. Some of the images, I assume, are exclusive to the book as I hadn't seen quite a few of them until now.Practically all facets of the entertainment industry that existed from the 1920's through the late 1980's, Mel Blanc at some point played a part in. Though his lasting legacy is the theatrical cartoons he did for Warner Brothers, his voice was heard on the radio, on records, and on television for decades. His voice is still being heard...repeats of "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons", for example, continue to air to this day on Boomerang. Mel played the roles of Barney Rubble and Dino on "The Flintstones" and Mr. Spacely on "The Jetsons". In each series he also provided voices for incidental characters, too, in addition to his main roles.Everything about the book's presentation is great and the details are extraordinary.

As a child of the 60’s, and now an adult “in” my 60’s Mel Blanc was, and still is, one of my heroes. I watched all the looney tunes cartoons growing up, and now have most of them on dvd. When I want to remember the joy I would get watching them with my brother and sisters on a Saturday morning I just pop one in and enjoy. I have his book That’s Not All, and this book is the perfect compliment to it. He was the man of a thousand voices, and this book helps you realize just what he gave life to. If you love all things Looney this book is for you!

While the book is 700+ pages, more than half are an index of all the cartoon, movie, radio voice credits. Doesn’t take away from the book, just know it’s not as long of a read! (Unless you are one that likes to read all the credits at the end of a movie… then this will be perfect for you!)

As the voice of Bugs Bunny Daffy Duck Porky Pig Yosemite Sam The Roadrunner Marvin the Martian Tweety and Sylester and later Elmer Fudd not to mention Woody Woodpecker-especially the laugh- and on the Flintstones Dino and Barney Rubble -not to mention other stuff I cant name off for one reason or another Mel Blanc has richly become the man of 1000 voices as his nickname goes and hes richly deserved it. He also sang songs and while some of them were with his cartoon voices others were with other made up voices and occoinally he sang with his real voice. This is his biography and its an iteresting read especially since it covers his career as well as his life. You should get it.

More than half of this thick, expensive soft-cover book is simply a listing of credits. Every radio show, every cartoon, just names, dates and plots. Ho-hum. Even the biggest fan would be bored with this filler. And talk about TMI...do we really need the names of the cops who showed up at Blanc's auto accident?! The few photos are very badly reproduced, much worse than in a newspaper. They're faint and washed-out, with streaks. Mr. Blanc's fascinating story deserved a much better book, such as his own "That's Not All, Folks!" As for the audiobook, I wonder if the narrator read all those credits? It would take hours and hours.

My grandson wanted the Mel Blanc book for his thirteenth Birthday. When he visits, he reads me a chapter. I will be 80 in July but did not know who Mel Blanc was. He has taught me so much.

I loved everything about this book, it was both inspiring, and informative, so many great things to learn from this book, 100% recommend this book!

Product as promised and delivered promptly

Mel Blanc is probably the most famous voice man with an extraordinary range of cartoon voices. This book goes back to his time as a struggling actor/musician in Portland where he and his wife Estelle wrote and performed a radio show before heading south to Los Angeles. After beating on many doors, he found a way in to Warner Bros and became the man who put his voice to Porky, Daffy, Sylvester, Tweety and of course Bugs.This book, well written by Ben Ohmart has many excerpts from Mel's son, Noel's biography of his father. He writes so well of the whole recording process and also says how hard his father worked to bring these characters to life. There are plenty of personal memories from him too and a nice section on the college he and his father created.There is also an extensive look at Mel's recording career and a useful list of his cartoons, tv and film work and of the records he made.This really is a pleasure to read.

I have vivid memories of seeing Warner Brothers cartoons when I was growing up. Later on I found out the characters were all voiced by the same man The Great Mel Blanc, he has been a hero of mine ever since.