Block-heads
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Block-heads are clay animated characters in the Gumby television series, created by animator Art Clokey; they are a pair of humanoid, orange-colored figures, who were Gumby's nemeses. As their name indicates, their heads are block-shaped and marked either with the letter "G" or "J"; they are silent and wreaked mischief and havoc wherever and whenever they could.
According to Clokey, the Block-heads were inspired by the Katzenjammer Kids, who were always getting into scrapes and causing discomfort to others.[1] As their name indicates, "G" Blockhead and "J" Blockhead are numskulls. Since the Gumby series began in a toy store setting, the Blockheads evolved from toy blocks that were placed in the store.
[edit] The Block-heads' misdeeds
- In the early Gumby episode "The Block-heads," the Block-heads slip ice cream into Gumby's milkshake, while Gumby and Pokey are traveling through the Old West. The bartender serves the laced milkshake and Gumby becomes stiff as a result. The Block-heads take advantage of this in order to kidnap Pokey. However, Gumby blasts himself through the sky by firing off his pistols and lands on the Block-heads, saving Pokey.
- In the episode "Gumby Racer," the Block-heads are a mischievous pit crew who sabotage Gumby’s racecar. Gumby molds himself into a car. The Blockheads attempt to stop their enemy by throwing things at him, blowing bridges up, and blocking tunnels with rocks.
[edit] The Block-heads in other media
- In the 1995 Gumby: The Movie, the Block-heads attempt to replace the entire city of Clokeytown with robots in order to ruin Gumby’s benefit concert.
- In the video game Gumby Versus the Astrobots, released by Game Boy Advance in 2005, the Block-heads abduct Gumby’s friends Pokey, Prickle, and Goo, and hide them in books throughout Toyland.
