Wednesday, June 5, 2024

"King Leonardo and His Short Sublects" ....Vintage cartoon History 1960-1963

"King Leonardo and His Short Subjects" is an American animated television series produced by Total Television (TTV), which aired on NBC from October 15, 1960, to September 28, 1963. The show was one of the early animated series created for television, reflecting the burgeoning interest in cartoons during the era.

Concept and Characters

The series is set in the fictional African nation of Bongo Congo and centers around King Leonardo, a lion who is the well-meaning but somewhat inept ruler of the kingdom. The main characters include:

King Leonardo: The titular character, a lion who struggles with his duties as king.
Odie Cologne: The skunk prime minister of Bongo Congo and the king’s loyal advisor. Odie often tries to help the king solve problems.
Biggie Rat: A villainous rat who, along with his sidekick Itchy Brother, constantly schemes to overthrow King Leonardo.
Itchy Brother: Biggie Rat’s dim-witted sidekick, who is also King Leonardo's brother.

Format

Each episode was comprised of several short segments, typically featuring the main characters of King Leonardo's court and their adversaries. The show's structure included various segments, often with different tones and styles, providing a mix of comedy and adventure.

Production

Total Television, the production company behind "King Leonardo," was known for creating several other popular animated series, including "Underdog," "Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales," and "The World of Commander McBragg." The animation for "King Leonardo" was handled by Gamma Productions, a Mexican animation studio that also worked on other Total Television series and early Jay Ward cartoons like "Rocky and Bullwinkle."

Broadcast and Legacy

"King Leonardo and His Short Subjects" enjoyed a successful run during its initial broadcast on NBC. The show's mix of humor, adventure, and engaging characters made it popular among children and set the stage for later animated series by Total Television. Despite not being as well-remembered as some contemporaries like "The Flintstones" or "The Jetsons," "King Leonardo" holds a place in early television animation history as a pioneer in serialized animated content.

The series' success led to reruns and syndication, allowing it to be enjoyed by new generations of viewers. "King Leonardo and His Short Subjects" is notable for its contribution to the development of animated television programming and for establishing a foundation for future Total Television productions.

BJ.....

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Bravo!!! For "Johnny Bravo " Vintage Cartoons 1997-2004

Johnny Bravo is an animated television series that aired on Cartoon Network from July 14, 1997, to August 27, 2004. Created by Van Partible, the show centers around the titular character Johnny Bravo, a muscular, Elvis Presley-like young man with an outsized ego and a distinctive pompadour hairstyle.
Creation and Development

Van Partible, a Filipino-American animator, conceived the character of Johnny Bravo while he was a student at Loyola Marymount University. Partible's senior thesis project, a short film called "Mess O' Blues," featured an early version of Johnny Bravo and caught the attention of executives at Hanna-Barbera Productions. This led to the creation of a pilot episode for Cartoon Network's "What a Cartoon!" series in 1995.

Pilot and Series Greenlight:

The original pilot, aired in 1995, was well-received, leading to a series order. The pilot's success was bolstered by its humor, unique animation style, and the memorable persona of Johnny Bravo. The character's blend of confidence and cluelessness made him a hit with audiences.
Format and Style:
The show is known for its slapstick comedy, cultural references, and Johnny’s catchphrases like "Whoa, Mama!" and "Do the monkey with me!" Johnny Bravo's exaggerated machismo and his relentless (yet always unsuccessful) pursuit of women form the crux of the show's humor. Despite his physical strength and good looks, Johnny's self-absorption and lack of intelligence often lead to humorous failures.
Evolution and Changes:
Over its four seasons, the show underwent several changes in terms of its animation style and storytelling.

Series Overview
Season 1 (1997-1998): The first season established Johnny Bravo's character and the show's comedic tone. It featured a variety of guest stars, including Adam West, Donny Osmond, and Farrah Fawcett. The season was characterized by its slapstick comedy, cultural references, and Johnny's catchphrases such as "Whoa, Mama!" and "Do the monkey with me!"
Season 2 (1999-2000): This season saw changes in the animation style and writing staff, with Kirk Tingblad taking over as director. The episodes began to incorporate more absurd and surreal humor. The character dynamics also evolved, with the addition of recurring characters like Carl Chryniszzswics, Johnny's nerdy neighbor, and Pops, the owner of the local diner.
Season 3 (2000-2001): With further stylistic changes, the show continued to evolve, focusing more on Johnny's interactions with various characters and settings. The humor became more varied, appealing to a broader audience.
Season 4 (2004): The final season returned to some of the earlier elements of the show while also experimenting with new ideas. The series finale wrapped up Johnny Bravo's adventures in a manner consistent with the show's irreverent humor.
Cultural Impact:
Johnny Bravo became a cultural icon during its run and has remained a beloved character in animation. The show's humor, character design, and voice work by Jeff Bennett (the voice of Johnny Bravo) contributed to its enduring popularity. Johnny Bravo's catchphrases and mannerisms have been referenced and parodied in various media, cementing his place in pop culture.
Legacy

Despite ending in 2004, Johnny Bravo has maintained a lasting legacy through reruns, merchandise, and continued fan interest. The show is often credited with helping to establish Cartoon Network's identity during its early years and influencing subsequent animated series. Johnny Bravo's character remains a symbol of the late 1990s and early 2000s animation era, showcasing the blend of traditional animation with modern humor and storytelling techniques.

BJ 🙈🙉🙊

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Vintage Animated Cartoon Drama !!!.. "Can't We All Just Get Along"

Behind the scenes drama in vintage cartoons often went unnoticed by the general public at the time, but some incidents have come to light over the years:

Tom and Jerry:
- William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the creators of Tom and Jerry, faced challenges with MGM Studios over budget constraints and creative control. At one point, they were even fired from the studio but later rehired due to the popularity of the cartoon.
Popeye:
- There were disputes between the creator of Popeye, E.C. Segar, and the studio over ownership rights and creative direction. Segar had conflicts with King Features Syndicate, the company that distributed the Popeye comic strips, which led to legal battles and strained relationships.
Fleischer Studios:
- Max Fleischer, the founder of Fleischer Studios and creator of iconic characters like Betty Boop and Popeye, faced internal conflicts with his brother Dave Fleischer. These conflicts, coupled with financial difficulties, eventually led to the sale of Fleischer Studios to Paramount Pictures.
Warner Bros. Animation:
- During the golden age of animation, Warner Bros. Animation faced challenges with censorship and pressure from advocacy groups. The studio had to navigate through issues such as racial stereotypes, violence, and political themes in their cartoons, which sometimes led to clashes with censors and producers.
Disney Studios:
Walt Disney himself faced numerous challenges and controversies during the early years of Disney Studios. From financial struggles to disputes with distributors, Disney often found himself at odds with various stakeholders. Additionally, there were conflicts within the studio over creative decisions and working conditions, leading to the formation of unions among Disney animators in the 1940s.
Tex Avery's Departure from Warner Bros.:
- Tex Avery, the legendary animator behind iconic characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, left Warner Bros. Studios in 1941 due to disputes over creative control and financial compensation. His departure marked the end of an era for Warner Bros. animation and had a significant impact on the industry.

These instances shed light on the challenges and conflicts that plagued vintage cartoons behind the scenes. Despite the beloved nature of these cartoons, the reality of the animation industry was often fraught with drama and discord.......

Here are a few more notable instances of staff drama in animated cartoons:

Looney Tunes:
- The creation of Looney Tunes and its characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig was not without its conflicts. Animator Tex Avery, who was instrumental in developing the irreverent humor and slapstick style of the series, had a falling out with producer Leon Schlesinger
  
  over creative differences. Avery left Warner Bros. in 1941 after a dispute over credit and financial compensation.
The Ren & Stimpy Show:
- This cult classic from the 1990s was known for its edgy humor and boundary-pushing animation. However, the show's creator, John
  Kricfalusi, clashed frequently with the network executives and the production team. Kricfalusi's perfectionism and demanding nature led to tensions on set, and eventually, he was fired from his own show due to missed deadlines and inappropriate behavior.
SpongeBob SquarePants:
- Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, faced internal conflicts with Nickelodeon during the show's early years. There were disagreements over creative direction and merchandising, with Hillenburg advocating for a more artistic approach and Nickelodeon pushing for increased commercialization. Hillenburg temporarily left the show in 2004 but returned later after the departure of some Nickelodeon executives.
Family Guy:
- Family Guy has seen its fair share of drama, particularly regarding the departure and return of creator Seth MacFarlane.
  
  MacFarlane left the show briefly during its third season due to conflicts with the network over creative control and scheduling. However, he returned, and the show continued to thrive, albeit with occasional controversies over its content and humor.
Justice League (2001 TV series):
- There was some drama surrounding the voice cast of the Justice League animated series. Actor George Newbern, who voiced Superman, replaced Tim Daly after Daly suffered a vocal cord injury during the production of the series. Additionally,
  
  Maria Canals-Barrera, who voiced Hawkgirl, reportedly clashed with producers over her character's development and storyline.

These instances illustrate that even in the world of animated cartoons, where creativity and imagination reign supreme, conflicts and drama among staff members are not uncommon. However, despite the challenges, many of these shows have endured and left a lasting impact on popular culture.

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Short Lived "Planet Of The Apes Cartoon Series" 1975

The "Planet of the Apes" cartoon series, based on the iconic science fiction franchise, emerged as a part of the broader cultural phenomenon sparked by the original 1968 film starring Charlton Heston. The cartoon series, titled "Return to the Planet of the Apes," aired in the United States from September to November 1975 and consisted of only thirteen episodes. Despite its short run, it left a lasting impact on fans of the franchise.

Here's a more in-depth look at the history and context surrounding the "Return to the Planet of the Apes" cartoon series:

Franchise Origins: The "Planet of the Apes" franchise originated from French author Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel "La Planète des Singes" (translated as "Planet of the Apes" in English). The success of the 1968 film adaptation, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, led to a series of sequels, television adaptations, and other spin-offs.
Cartoon Adaptation: "Return to the Planet of the Apes" was developed by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, known for their work on other animated series such as "The Pink Panther" and "The Inspector." The series was produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television, which owned the rights to the film franchise.
Plot: The cartoon series follows a group of astronauts who crash-land on a mysterious planet ruled by intelligent apes. The astronauts, led by Bill Hudson, find themselves in a world where humans are primitive and subjugated by their simian overlords. Throughout the series, they struggle to survive and find a way back to Earth while uncovering the mysteries of the planet.
Divergence from the Films: While the cartoon series drew inspiration from the original 1968 film and its sequels, it also introduced its own narrative elements and characters. For instance, the character of Bill Hudson, the leader of the human astronauts, was a new addition not present in the original films.
Animation Style: The animation style of "Return to the Planet of the Apes" was typical of Saturday morning cartoons of the era, characterized by limited animation techniques. Despite the constraints of its production budget, the series featured detailed backgrounds and character designs that captured the essence of the "Planet of the Apes" universe.
Legacy: Although "Return to the Planet of the Apes" only aired for a brief period, it developed a cult following over the years, particularly among fans of the original film franchise. Its influence can be seen in subsequent adaptations and reimagining of the "Planet of the Apes" universe, including the acclaimed reboot film series starting with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" in 2011.

Overall, "Return to the Planet of the Apes" remains a noteworthy chapter in the expansive history of the franchise, showcasing its enduring appeal and the creative possibilities it offers across different mediums.

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