The Road Runner and Coyote shorts were created in the tradition of the classic cat and mouse chase. They quickly became iconic figures representing everything from perseverance and futitlity, to the human condition. The story is always the same; the execution varies. After some initial success, the creators attempted to adhere to a basic set of rules.
- Road Runner cannot harm the Coyote except by going beep, beep.
- No outside force can harm the Coyote, only his
own ineptitude or the failure of Acme products.
- The Coyote could stop anytime, if he was not a fanatic.
- No dialogue ever, except beep, beep and yowling in pain.
- Road Runner must stay on the road, for no other reason than that he's a roadrunner.
- All action must be confined to the natural environment of the two characters.
- All tools, weapons, or mechanical conveniences must be obtained from the Acme Corporation.
- Whenever possible, make gravity the Coyote's greatest enemy.
- The Coyote is always more humiliated than harmed by his failures.
- The audience's sympathy must remain with the Coyote.
Fast and Furry-ous 1.3
1948 directed by Chuck Jones
Featuring Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner
The Coyote tries to catch the Road Runner using ACME products.
Trivia
- The title is a play on the expression fast and furious.
- This was the first appearance of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner.
- This short uses music from the Bedřich Smetana opera The Bartered Bride, including Dance of the Comedians.
Whoa, Be Gone! 2.2
1958 directed by Chuck Jones
Featuring Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner
The Coyote tries to catch the Road Runner using ACME products.
Trivia
- The coyote’s classic fall from a great height appears in this short more than any other.
Going Going Gosh 2.2
1951 directed by Chuck Jones
Featuring Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner
The Coyote tries to catch the Road Runner using ACME products.
Trivia
- Both the Road Runner and the Coyote cross dress in this short.
Zipping Along 2.2
1953 directed by Chuck Jones
Featuring Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner
The Coyote tries to catch the Road Runner using ACME products.
