Unfortunately, those who have purchased the licensing rights to our good friend Gumby find
this site and material within offensive, though not aesthetically so. The following,
intimidating email message was received from these people:
Subject: Form response
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 1996 08:15:44 -0400
From: DLR0630@aol.com
To: exene@atlantic.net
Everyone loves to have fun ... but your fun seems to be at the expense of Gumby.
This property is a licensed trademark and unauthorized use is prohibited. We are
Gumby's Licensing Agent and do NOT approve of your use of this protected property.
We love to see Gumby fans sharing stories however your context and positioning of
the character is totally unacceptable. Gumby does not drink, swear, or do anything
negative. He is a role model for children, promoting reading. Please contact us
regarding this matter. Thank you.
Name=debbi lynn russell
Email=respmarket@aol.com
What has not been understood, we believe, is that it is Gumby's very integrity that makes such
playful, ridiculous stories so fun. We are certain that if we had put up a nice, innocent
page about Gumby, fans would have visited and found it pleasant. And those who currently censor
these pages would be perfectly happy, as we would be doing them a sales service.
On the other hand, if we had put up a sarcastic, lamblasting page about
Richard Kiel, his fans would have reacted similarly -- oh, we already did
that.
However, because we jest with the image of Gumby in another, "unacceptable" manner, any humor
or enjoyment to be gained from the contrast between the good and pleasant Gumby of TV legend and
the Gumby portrayed within, whose actions are no less humorous and enjoyable, is lost. This is
parody. Further, it is contraposition, combined with extreme exaggeration: by
portraying Gumby as the exact opposite of what he truly is a great absurdity results.
(Really, and ironically, this only serves to aggrandize the virtues of Gumby.)
Honestly, we are insulted by such corporate bullying. This page is hardly hit, and only by
those who already know what Gumby stands for. We are not discouraging those who purchase their
products; on the contrary, those who visit these pages might purchase a Gumby figurine in order
to pose him in similarly creative situations and positions.
Contrary to assumptions implied in the above email, we are fans. Big fans. We have helped
to keep this licensing company afloat as much as any Gumby fans during this resurgence of Gumby:
we own two large Gumbys, all of the figures, and over ten of the standard Gumby figures (don't ask
why). We venerate the Clay God. The values and truths of life which Art Clokey portrays in this
character are invaluable. Again, this is precisely why it is bizarrely funny to see Gumby
hobnobbing with Sean Penn or Frank Sinatra.
But it should also be kept in mind that it is just a character, a molded lump of clay.
It cannot "drink, swear, or do anything negative." Further, nothing said or done
with this character within these pages, either in word or in image, has libeled a person or
his reputation. (Again, it is ludicrous to think that such portrayals might cause sales to
decline.) However, as we do not own Gumby, we lack the right to freedom of
expression, according to those who do own Gumby, in name.
Therefore, we write the following disclaimer:
Gumby is the property of Art Cloakey, its creator, and those
who own copyrights to it. Within these pages, there lies not one
official Gumby logo or slogan, only pictures personally taken along
with fiction. Some may find the humorous portrayals of Gumby herein
offensive, though they are not intended that way. If you do not wish
to see or read such material, please turn
back now. Otherwise, continue on in the knowledge
that what you shall see and read is not condoned or "approved of."
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!