Biography: Bob Clampett in Schlesinger's Exposure Sheet

Here is an article on Bob Clampett from Leon Schlesinger Productions' in-house newsletter, The Exposure Sheet (Vol 1 No 3 / 1939)...

The first thing Bob Clampett said when we asked him to "tell all" was: "The story of my life to be titled, 'Failure At 26'". But let's delve into his background simply to disprove his theory.

Bob was born in San Diego. When he was two, the family moved to Hollywood. One of Bob's chief delights, when just large enough to walk and talk, was to accompany his mother to the band concerts given at an open-air park. The leader of the band wore a uniform that fascinated Bob. particularly the hat. He fashioned a baton of wood for himself, climbed the platform, and proceeded to aid the conductor throughout the entire program. Not only did Master Clampett steal each performance, but he stubbornly insisted on taking the bows afterwards!

In Eagle Rock, Bob started school, and among his first classmates was none other than Roger Daley, recently with Kats. Later, while living in Glendale, Bob joined the Junior Times. From the age of nine to twelve, he was a consistent contributor. One day, after a full page cartoon of his was published, a reporter from the Examiner came to his home and offered him a contract to study under Webb Smith and Charles Philippi, then heads of the cartoon department. This contract never expired, and was broken only when Bob decided to go into the cartoon business. At this time, he was going to Otis Art school, besides attending Glendale High, drawing cartoons, being sports editor of the school paper, and somehow finding time to usher at the Mjestic Theatre. It was during the ushering episode that Bob witnessed the first Looney Tunes, and decided that that was what he wanted to do.

Right after high school he worked in the Mickey Mouse Doll Factory, brushing off the kapok from each doll. This had to be done on a back porch. As it was then Winter, Bob developed a distaste for Mickey Mouse. Even when Roy Disney would come over to help load the dolls, and offered Bob a job, Bob decided to look elsewhere for a job. He went to Pacific Title and met Mr. Schlesinger who sent him to Mr. Katz, then production manager for Harman-Ising. After waiting 30 days, Bob received word to come into work. From inbetweener to director in five years- we leave it to you; would you say he was a failure at 26?

For more on Bob Clampett, see... Biography: Bob Clampett's Swimming Pool.

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