The creation of Mater

Jim Hill at Jim Hill Media got himself a copy of a new book, “Two Guys Named Joe: Master Animation Storytellers Joe Grant & Joe Ranft.”

Ranft could do killer impersonations of hillbillies (a toothless one in particular he called “Chucky Eisner”). But he also ultimately was reluctant to demean them in any way.

An excerpt from the book when Ranft and other members of the Pixar Animation crew were doing Route 66 research in 2002 for “Cars” shows this:

.. Ranft befriended many Route 66 denizens. But there was one “good ol’ boy” in the middle of Oklahoma who invited (Joe) to his home, took him fishing, fed him baloney sandwiches, and gave him ice water out of a jug. This fellow’s claim to fame was his ability to turn his double-jointed leg backwards 180 degrees. “I kick muh leg,” he said, demonstrating proudly.

It was like a magic trick, and “Joe thought this was the greatest thing he’d ever seen,” (said Jonas Rivera, “Cars” production manager). From this odd encounter, Ranft created what Lasseter calls “the single greatest” Pixar character: Mater, a rusty tow truck / good ol’ boy with a deep-fried accent.

On the surface, Mater seems like a stereotypical hillbilly, not far removed from Chucky Eisner. But “Joe was sensitive to not doing a parody,” Rivera said. “He didn’t want to make fun of the people he met. He wanted to celebrate them as individuals.”

As the film unfolds we discover hidden facets in Mater, such as a sly humor born of quiet intelligence, sensivity, and an honest appraisal of people and their foibles; plus there’s a joy of life exuberantly expressed by wildly driving backward through the town (adapted from the Oklahoma fellow’s trick leg). There is Mater’s endearing loyalty to friends and his childlike willingness to find the good in people and seek their friendship openly. There is his warmth mixed with mischievousness and forthrightness.

Ranft put a lot of himself into the endearing Mater, which Lasseter appreciated: “I realize it’s Joe. This is pure Joe.” Mater’s loyal friendship to McQueen, whom he considers his best friend and can make laugh and appreciate life, mirrors Ranft’s longtime relationship with Lasseter.

I’m fairly certain the backwards-legged individual in Oklahoma was Dean Walker, who actually lives in Kansas. But, yes, Mater wound up being the conscience of “Cars.”

Tragically, Ranft died in a car accident in 2005, less than a year before “Cars” arrived in theaters.

(Image courtesy of Disney-Pixar)