The Tommy Interviews, 07-08: "Courage the Cowardly Dog" creator John R.

Dilworth
In this issue's edition of "TalkBox", I am interviewing the mastermind behind su
ch works as "Courage the Cowardly Dog", Mr. John R. Dilworth.
Q: How did you get into the animation business?
A: I started working as a production artist painting cels ( a mostly obsolete te
chnique used for 80 years ), then I ambitiously rose through assistant animator
to animator to director. All through the "process" I made my own films. My "art"
eventually lead to the creation of Stretch Films.
Q: I understand the "Courage the Cowrdly Dog" character was developed from an ol
d short you did, as were two characters that could be construed as "proto-Muriel
" and "proto-Eustace". Whas it dufficult to come up with these characters?
A: The Chicken from Outer Space was one of my smoothest creations. Courage evolv
ed from a dog named Hamilton on my MTV short, "Smart Talk with Raisin". I had wa
nted to work with this form of dog since Hamilton was designed. He looks like a
elbow bracket. Muriel was also quite easy to design. I based her on a wonderful
Scottish woman. Her name is also Muriel. She is the aunt of my former long time
lady and current great friend. I used to call Muriel on Sunday and take notes on
our conversation. It would be impossible for our writers to come up with the st
uff "Muriel" said without it being nearly verbatim. Eustace also came easily. I
had a preternatural knowing of what he looked like. I cannot explain it, however
I have an imprinting of the face of great depression era farmers.
Q: What projects are you working on now?
A: My current investment of life energy is a monkey short called "Island of Dumb
Monkeys" starring two chimp brothers, Chunks & Choogle. I have been developing
this cartoon for almost 5 years. I've taken the project around in several incarn
ations trying to raise patronage. Since I began this idea, there have been many
productions starring monkeys, including a soon to be released feature called Spa
ce Chimps. Way back in 2002 or so, one of my chimp incarnations had them as "spa
ce chimps". I can only acknowledge with a suspicion of curiosity how ideas and t
ime and other unknowns fold over to create similar events. I am very excited to
begin production on Dumb Monkeys this July with completion in early 2008. We hav
e finally raised independent financing which is a big departure in the way I see
k funding. I really love these brothers. They are free of blame or guilt, qualit
ies that are in rare supply today.
Q: Since you created a "Cowardly dog", I should ask, what are YOUR fears?
A: My fears are that I will not be able to continue making films and slip off in
to a black void through the capricious nature of envious or jealous characters l
ike tv executives or colleagues.
Q: I understand you also did work on the late '90's - early '00's cult favorite
"Doug". How was that?
A: "Doug" was a landmark for NYC animation. Nicktoons had created this new initi
ative of programing that included "Ren & Stimpy" - which I also did a guest dire
ctorial stint after the creator was removed. The series gathered together artist
s who all shared a similar naivete of the looming future, the digital revolution
. We touched a non-plastic world where the objects engaged our bodies much more
than current tools. I was a vendor suppling the series with storyboards and othe
r "special" design needs.
Q: So can we forsee "Courage" ever starting up again? If no, then will it be sol
d into syndication or hit the "big screen"?
A: I do not believe Courage will ever return. There simply isn't the merchandisi
ng support. I was told in the hallways of CN in Atlanta way back that buyers wer
e hesitant to sell boys a "pink" dog, that no one would buy it. I never thought
Courage was "pink", more violet having more blue than red. The show was also exp
ensive to produce for the network.
Q: Come to think of it, why did "Courage the Cowardly Dog" go out of primetime c
irculation?
It can't be because of lack of fan response, because that show got more of a fol
lowing than a lot of cartoons out there today. They just don't make 'em like the
y used to do they?
A: I cannot answer this question only because the agendas of programmers are com
pletely off the planet from creators. Courage continues to and has been broadcas
t since it's debut in 1999. I know because I get residuals from SAG, which is th
e only way I keep track of the show.
Q: Anything else you would like to say to me or my loyal folowing?
A: Only that I am deeply grateful for the continued interest in my work. I am en
-courage-d by the many fan emails I receive and for the level of appreciation co
nveyed for the effort my staff of unique creatives and I put into every episode.
I always wanted to be famous for giving back to audiences some genuine quality
like laughter. I personally love to laugh and to be silly. I live a fantasy wher
e people are not given to greed or wickedness. I like the idea of the Shakespear
ean fool who knows more of life and human nature than the king does and yet chos
es to remain the fool.
Q: It was awesome having you on "TalkBox". Hope to get a follow up and I wish yo
u the best.
A: I am more pleased than I can express. My very sincere gratitude. Anything mor
e I can do for you and your vision, all you have to do is scream!