OSU alumnus writes book on cartoons from Vietnam era

Friday, July 21, 2006

The first African American man to receive an Honors Degree from Oklahoma State University wrote a book entitled “American Animated Cartoons of the Vietnam Era: A study of social commentary in films and television programs, 1961-1973.”

Dr. Christopher Lehman, an Oklahoma native, graduated in 1995 with a degree in history. 

“I have fond memories of my years in OSU, and I received tremendous support and encouragement from my professors and the Honors Department," he said.

He took the idea for his book from studies focused on the animated films of the 1940s and World War II.

“I wanted to do the same for the films made during the Vietnam War because I have studied them more, and I have cartoons of the periods," he said.

Lehman had been studying the Vietnam War for years and wanted to connect war developments with concurrent animation trends. He spent over 15 years researching how animators illustrated the social commotion of the Vietnam Era.

The book discusses the U.S. role in the Vietnam War from an animation perspective. It follows the militaristic, violent and liberal patterns the war took. The book includes the theatrical and studio’s changing responses to the war.

Lehman has conducted several interviews with animators who have worked and produced animated movies during the Vietnam Era. The book draws upon the interviews and includes film critic’s responses in their newspapers and has three appendices contributed to the book.

“Cartoons of the Vietnam Era were political and reflected their times," he said. "They were more subtle in the message that the films of the World War II but political nonetheless.”

During his book research, Lehman noticed that cartoons changed to violent when the U.S. aimed for military victory in Vietnam, and they became nonviolent when the goal shifted to military withdrawal.

The animation and cartoon market has changed since the war ended. Some cable networks are airing only cartoons, and shows such as “South Park,” “The Boondocks,” and “Team America: World Police” have become the voice of serious political criticism.

Cartoons and animated films play essential roles in people’s lives.

“Newspaper cartoons have a very wide and powerful readership," Lehman said. "For example, earlier this year, countries rioted because of a religiously intolerant editorial cartoon.”

Television cartoons are strictly censored and old cartoons that contain racist jokes, fighting and gunshots are aired without these scenes. Cable networks can be moderate on violent scenes, but they are strict on racial jokes.

Lehman has had a lifelong interest in cartoons. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a cartoonist, but as an adult, he enjoyed studying them rather than drawing them. Later in life, he studied archived cartoon scripts in Los Angeles, which allowed him to appreciate cartoon production as much as the film itself.

He said that his favorite cartoon character is the Pink Panther because he defines convention and is a silent figure who is funny without resorting to any gimmicks.

Lehman is working on his second book, “The Colored Cartoon,” which will focus on African American cartoon characters of animation’s first 50 years.