Did you know that Walt Disney was inspired by the Cariocas to create one of his characters?
José Carioca (Joe Carioca), or just, Zé Carioca, was created during Walt Disney’s trip to Brazil. The character, designed inside the most traditional hotel in the city, the Copacabana Palace, turned 75 years old in 2017.
Origin
In August of 1941, during the Second World War, Walt Disney visited some Latin American countries at the request of the American government. The purpose was to create films in which his American characters interacted with Latin Americans, thus reinforcing the good-neighborly and cultural relations with these countries.
During his visit to Rio de Janeiro, Walt Disney and his team were enchanted by the city’s postcards, the Portuguese stones along Copacabana’s boardwalk and, of course, the rhythm of samba.
While his stay at the Copacabana Palace Hotel, Walt Disney met J. Carlos, a cartoonist who designed the versions of the characters of the company in the Brazilian magazine ‘O Tico Tico.’ According to the writer Ezequiel de Azevedo, J.Carlos gave Disney the drawing of a parrot embracing Donald Duck. As a result, Walt Disney chose the animal to represent Brazil.
Another version says that the choice of the animal was actually inspired by the parrot jokes that Disney listened to during the meetings he had with the samba artists Paulo da Portela and José do Patrocínio Oliveira. José, known as Zezinho, was the inspiration for the personality of the parrot and also gave his voice to the character.
Appearances
The first appearance of Zé Carioca was in the movie ‘Alô, amigos’ (Saludos Amigos, in the original title) of 1942. In the animation, the parrot guided Donald Duck in his visit to Brazil, showing the duck friend in a cheerful and relaxed way, the charms of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. The duo by the sound of “Aquarela do Brasil” and “Tico-tico no fubá”, drank cachaça and danced samba together.
Two years later, in 1944, the parrot appeared again in the movie ‘The Three Caballeros’ which mixed animation with real actors. Zé appears alongside Donald Duck and singer Aurora Miranda, Carmen Miranda`s sister.
The last appearance of the character in the cinemas was in 1988, in the movie `Who framed Roger Rabbit.’
In the comic books, the character began making appearances in Donald’s Duck magazine, of the Brazilian publishing house Editora Abril, in 1950. In 1961, he began his “solo career” with his own magazine.
The Carioca way of life – from Rio to the world
The character’s style refers to a typical ‘malandro’ (Brazilian version of rogue, son-of-a-gun) of the 1940’s Lapa: tail-coat, bow tie, and Panama hat. Dr. Jacarandá, a famous figure of the bohemian Carioca society of the time, inspired the umbrella. Over time, the style of the character has modernized in the hands of the Brazilian designer Gaúcho Herrero. His jacket was changed into a T-shirt, and he lost his hat and umbrella, gaining a more tropical look.With a controversial personality, Zé Carioca is portrayed as fun and warm, but does not like to work and always tries to gain advantages or escape the problems with the famous “Brazilian way.”
Learn more about what means to be Carioca by clicking here.
Despite the criticism regarding the character’s personality, Zé Carioca represents the unique nature of Carioca: friendly, always cheerful and in a good mood, ready to celebrate and present all the charms of the Marvelous City.
As Ze Carioca presented the wonders of Rio de Janeiro to Donald Duck, we can also show the best of Rio to you. Check this link here and learn more about our services.
