Slowpoke Rodriguez: Looney Tunes’ Stoner Hero
*Slowpoke Rodríguez is a fictional animated cartoon mouse and the cousin of Speedy Gonzales. Both are part of the very popular Looney Tunes’ series of characters. Tom Holland and Frank Welker provided his voice in just two episodes of Speedy Gonzales. Slowpoke Rodriguez is “the slowest mouse in all Mexico” in contrast to his cousin Speedy Gonzales, who is known as the fastest. Despite his slow moving feet, Slowpoke manages to take on Sylvester the cat and other kitties with bad intentions in both of his cartoon appearances, explaining to his cousin Speedy that he may be “slow in the feet” but not in “la cabeza” (the head).
Slowpoke Rodriguez speaks in a slow, monotone voice and, and moves even more slowly. He seems to be scared by nothing except for maybe being hungry. And he is always hungry! Droopy, red eyes, slurred speech and a song about “La Cucaracha” (a slang term for a marijuana joint) have all pointed to Slowpoke representing a pot smoking mouse – not unlike other cousins of Speedy Gonzales who were portrayed as “borrachos” (drunks).
Slowpoke appeared in only two of the Speedy Gonzales cartoon episodes. The first Slowpoke Rodriguez appearance in “Mexicali Shmoes” (1959) is a story of two lazy cats, Jose and Manuel, who decide to chase Slowpoke instead of Speedy because they think he will be easier to catch. In the end, they find out that Slowpoke packs heat! However, the gun-toting part of the episode was been edited out of later airings of the episode. Slowpoke’s second appearance is in, “Mexican Boarders” (1962), in which Speedy tries to keep Slowpoke out of the paws of Sylvester the Cat. To Sylvester and Speedy’s surprise, Slowpoke Rodriguez demonstrates powers of mind control (the other mice call it the “evil eye”) over Sylvester that turn Sylvester into his servant. In this episode, Slowpoke sings the famous “La Cucaracha” which strengthens suspicions that Slowpoke Rodriguez might indeed be a stoner. This episode was also edited into “Bugs Bunny’s 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales”.
slowpoke has always been my favorite. i was dubbed the name when i was about 14. and its stuck with me since. im now 34 and for x mas a co worker hooked me up with a glass. now im a happy mexican! ha
Dude! I love Slowpoke – can’t believe he’s got his own site. Glad I stumbled on this one. Thanks for the laugh!
We need a video of Lento Rodriguez showing his gun!!! They actually say, “… but he carries the biggest gun!” Hilarious!
Wow! everyone seems to forget the lil homie.Loved him wen i was younger. Cuz he was the outcast.. He was always different
I have a slowpoke tatoo right shoulder from 20+ years ago now I need the assistance of someone to do a characture of slowpoke for me with his pistola that I may have it sown on my hunting vest. Personal vest not to copy right infringe but I just can’t draw for myself.
Humor! people forgot how to laugh at ourselves.
I have Slow Poke on the back of my Ranchero!
Slow Poke was racist as hell.
WHo was “slow Ramon” ??(he’s very slow”)
You remember “Slow Ramon” Too!!! I was hoping it wasn’t a false memory! U remember a character names “”Slo-Ramon, he’ees very Slow”
Hola video short with Slopoke and His pitola slopoke rodriguez packs heat……https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYi_hq2p1Ac
Thanks!
I remember slowpoco rodriguez saying, after he shot a cat who was about to eat him : “I may be the slowest mouse in all of Mexico, but I carry the biggest gun”.
.. I think “they” censored or changed the original ending to promote gun control, or because of “racism” (“they” hating Mexican mice arming themselves against “gringo cats”).
He caries de guuuuun….