Li'l Abner



Li'l Abner was an American comic strip created by Al Capp that ran for 43 years, from 1934-1977. The strip became enormously popular, influencing the pop culture lexicon, and inspiring theme parks, a radio show, Broadway musical, theatrical cartoons, movies, and even a puppet show.

Like his contemporary Walt Kelly, Capp's strip was satirical and often featured socially relevant storylines, many times taking the characters out of their native Dogpatch, Kentucky. New character introductions resulted in their becoming instant celebrities, with the introduction of the Shmoo, and it's threat to Capitalism, sparking a craze among the USA.

The legacy of the strip continues today with the folk event, Sadie Hawkins Day, a pseudo holiday created within the strip in 1937. The holiday itself is a simple gender role-reversal event, with women and girls taking an initiative to invite the man or boy of their choice on a date.

Connections

 * Darryl Ferreira played Marryin' Sam in regional theatre productions of Li'l Abner