Paul Hull Husted (June 25, 1914 – September 5, 1995), better known as Paul Julian, was an American background animator, sound effects artist, and voice actor for Warner Bros. Animation Studios. Julian worked on Looney Tunes short films, primarily on director Friz Freleng's Sylvester and Tweety Bird shorts. During his time at Warner, Julian also provided the vocal effects of the Road Runner. His warm and tightly-cropped urban scenes were also featured early in his career in the Bugs Bunny film Baseball Bugs (1946), and in the crime syndicate-themed Daffy Duck film Golden Yeggs (1950). Julian also worked extensively as a WPA mural artist.
Biography[]
Born in Illinos, Julian worked on mural projects all around Southern California for the WOA prior to beginning his career in Hollywood. In 1942, an oil and canvas mural (Orange Pickers) painted by Julian was added to the interior of the Fullerton, California post office. When completed, the Post Office and interior mural brought to the Fullerton community a symbol of government efficiency, services, and culture. Julian's 1942 mural works are also at the Upland Elementary School in Upland, California at the side of the school auditorium. Though faded, the murals are in decent shape. Julian used a technique called petrachrome for this fine mural that utilized 24 different colors of marble to complete the mural's four panels. The mural inside the Fullerton, California is in excellent condition.
Later, while working at Warner Bros. Animation as a background artist, Julian provided the Roadrunner's "Beep-Beep!" sound. Julian first made the sound on the Warner Bros. studio lot. He imitated a car horn as a lighthearted way to get people out of his way when he was in a hurry. Editor Treg Brown recorded Julian's noises and ultimately used them for the Road Runner films, which are still in use in modern Looney Tunes media.
Julian directed the animated films Baby Boogie (1955), and The Hang,an (1964), which was produced by Les Goldman. The film[which?] garnered over 15 international film festival awards. He also produced (1964) and was a production designer for the 1978 anime fantasy Wind’s of Change, based on Ovid’s Metamporhses. Julian also had a long working relationship with Roger Cormam providing artwork for many of his movies, including Dementa 13 and The Terrors.
Julian was still working as artist when he died in Van Nuys, California in 1995.