hiway29

And I would love to see 'Fractured Flickers' again. George's memories are sharper than mine. It was also produced by Jay Ward, and used the same actors (June Foray, Paul Frees, Bill Scott) as in the Ward cartoons. I wonder if they're avaiable on dvd ?

The lady you're referring to is June Foray, George, one of the best cartoon voice actors ever. Yes, she was the voice of 'Rocky', as well as every female from princesses, to witches. She also did voices for most of the other studios since the 50's, and is still very much alive and well. I'm not sure that they never rehearsed, though there was clearly a free spirit atmosphere that June may have been 'embellishing' a bit. As far as I know, Jay Ward never did a voice, and 'Doris' would have been June herself. I'm headed for the east coast for a week or so, and will gladly turn the board over to other subjects. I really don't plan on being so long winded , or 'know it all'-one post just seems to lead to another.

ala-You certainly have good taste in liking the great Warner Bros cartoons. At their best ,possibly the best ever for laughs and craftmanship. Noone ever claimed that Rocky and Bullwinkle featured beautiful art. (Though I have to say that I find the simple, graphic designs really interesting and have learned alot by them) What 'Bullwinkle' especially had was great writing, and top notch voice actors. They appealed to children, even while making their parents chuckle over jokes that went over the kid's heads.

Tooter Turtle was part of 'King Leonardo and His Friends', as was the Hunter. "Rocky and His Friends", later 'Bullwinkle", featured the cartoons just mentioned by George. It was some oddball distribution package, that mixed the Rocky and leonardo cartoons in some market. I'm with you, George, concerning the Fleischer Superman cartoons- a whole other topic. Cartoon geeks never learned how to use forks and knives. They only eat McDonalds by hand, or Count Chocula by spoon.

Ala- well-no, Casper was not a tool of the spiritualists, unless the producers had religious beliefs that I'm not aware of. Casper was originally made as a one shot cartoon in the 40's by 'Famous Studios", which was in itself the successor tp Fleischer, which made Poeye,and Betty Boop. Joe Oriolo, (sic) had an idea for a cute cartoon about a ghost who just wants to make friends, but of course scares everyone unntentionally. When it proved to be somehow popular, a series of Casper cartoons, all on the same theme, were made. 'Harveytoons' was an outgrowth of 'Famous Studios in the late 50's. There was a line of comic books featuring casper( as well as Little Dot, Little Audrey, Sad Sack, and Richie Rich). In order to make the books more interesting, they put Casper in an Enchanted Forest, with new characters such as Wendy, Spooky, The Ghostly Trio, and others. In my opinion there was a charm and innocence to these comic books, that made them ideal for young children. At least I read them when I was 7 years old, and knew it was all make believe. When they decided to make new Casper cartoons for TV, they borrowed heavily from the comic books, and introduced Wendy and the others to TV. Unless one just can't accept the concept-there is nothing whatsoever about these cartoons that would lead anyone into spiritualism. Most people in the animation field are too busy churning out work, and trying to last another day, to be so thought out. When i was in the cult, EVERYTHING was suspect, so it doesn't surprise me that your brother would have heard that, just because there was a ghost and witch . If anything, those cartoons were SO cute, it would have driven kids to more entertaining fare like the above mentioned Rocky and Bullwinkle-at least that's the affect they had on me.

I should clear up something that is often misunderstood-for those who even care. Leonardo Lion had nothing to do with Rocky and Bullwinkle-though the art style on both shows have similarities. There have been some syndication packages that have included Leonardo cartoons with Bullwinkle,and shown in the same half hour, which has led to the belief that they were produced by the same studio. As much as I like the leonardo cartoons, and I do, they are not nearly as well written, or 'adult', as the world of 'Rocky and Bullwinkle. The Jay Ward studio produced 'Bullwinkle, (and Dudley Do Right, Fractured fairy Tales, Mr Peabody, etc), while another studio , that I can only recall as 'Total television', made Leonardo, Tooter Turtle, The Hunterand the Fox. It's a common misconception, but if one can't be anal retentive in here, where can one be? Jay Ward also produced Super Chicken and Tom Slick. 'Total Television', also made Tennessee Tuxedo.

A FORK AND KNIFE !!! No wonder it's a 'woman thing'.

Isn't it difficult to eat pastries while wearing gloves?

"Itchy" MAY be patterned after Lon Chaney Jr's, 'Lenny', from 'Of Mice and Men'-but I'm not sure, as characters based on 'Lenny' in cartoons are usually dumber and slower. When did 'high tea' become such a fad ? I never heard of it until a few years ago, now it seems every woman I know attends them. Is it a 'coffee clatch', with nicer pastries?

Ah-I didn't understand what you meant. Biggie is of course Edgar G. The others will take some thinking. I'm not sure who Itchy was, outside of the classic 'dumb' voice. Not sure about the Hunter, or Tooter Turtle either.

I don't want to spill the beans on that cartoon series, Sudo, so I'll refrain for now. While that series WAS connected with another series, it also stood alone, as the theme song indicates. I can only think you are referring to a certain penguin, who was also voiced by Don Adams, of all people-NOT using his Ronald Coleman voice, though. Odie Cologne's voice WAS inspired by Coleman-though Don Adams didn't do the voice. Gets confusing doesn't it.

Don Adams did a dead on impression of Coleman in a Get Smart episode where he impersonated the 'King of Coronia". He would also pull it out at odd moments in the series when he was trying to be especially 'dashing'.

I don't mean to imply that I don't like or respect that star. He's a one of a kind in Hollywood history, and has a wit and charm that is unique.

That's an interesting choice ala. I'm now curious to see it again, as I only caught part of it one late night on tv. I have to admit that I've had a problem taking the lead actor seriously, because I first associated him with the dead on impersonation that Don Adams would sometimes do of him on 'Get Smart'. Not quite fair I admit. I don't like remakes. There was no need for a Mighty Joe Young remake, and I'm dreading the new King Kong this fall. It won't be the disaster that the 1976 remake was. The art direction, effects, even the actors and story will all be excellent, but imo there is no 'remaking' the 1933 Kong, which is a timeless work of wonder.

Maynard rocked-Gilligan was insufferable. "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" was an amazing show on alot of levels. Maybe with the sad passing of Bob Denver they'll be released on dvd. In some ways, Dobie Gillis reflected both the innocence of the 50's, and the stirring unrest of the 60's. It ran out of gas and was gone around the same time as Kennedy was assinated, and the 60's really kicked in. Maynard deserved better than to become Gilligan in a show that really was about who do you prefer, Ginger or Mary Anne? But Dobie Gillis was always fun- "You rang?", Zelda Gilroy, "I gotta kill that boy", Tuesday Weld, Warren Beatty(!) in the beginning,the Thinker,Chadsworth Osborne Jr. Bob Denver was the heart and soul, the character everyone loved. Not to discount Dwayne Hickman, who played Dobie wonderfully, but that's another topic.

I re read 'Living in Love" not too long ago, and also found it incredibly revealing in light of all we know now. I also kick myself for not being able to see through the transparent bs back then. That book was released in '72. Let's face it, many of us thought VP 'heroic' for enduring the harsh lights, and bought into his 'quest' for spiritual understanding. It does seem that few were ever comfortable with the snow at the gas pumps. Better to just keep your yap shut rather than invite the abuse that would result from daring to question such a sacrosanct event. Better to ignore his demeaning comments about women also. I do wonder what's up with Elena Whiteside these days though?

Hokey smokes, sudo-could that be Irene Ryan , long before she was Granny Clampett? Never knew was her before.

pretty girls that lavished me with attention and cared at least until I got through session 12

That's because it obstructs his view of Venus.

Got that in one note sudo. That is an unforgettable image-at least when you're 8 years old and seeing it for the first time on a grainy little b&w tv. It might not impress the jaded viewers of today, but the combination of that song and the image is pretty cool. Years ago I was drawing a 'Bozo the Clown', comic book, and was paired with a writer who never failed to throw obscure cultural references into his books. This one scene feature a captured dinosaur in a circus, lifting a musician on a platform who is playing that song. I had to call him up to tell him I got it. Turns out that scene resonates with more boomers than I thought. That movie was remade awhile back. I haven't seen it but if that scene isn't recreated, what's the point? Might as well leave King Kong off the empire state building.

Talk away, Ted. You have a lifetime of living this music, and anything that you care to share is of great value.

There's an old Elmer Fudd cartoon from around 1940, where Elmer plays Miles Standish. Looking through a phone book in the cartoon, one of the names is John E. Jumpup. Never failed to amaze the wayfers. I can't think of a thing learned of value, that I haven't learned better somewhere else. Somehow , even the positive practical applications, ( responsibility, hard work,attention to detail for example) got perverted and used to demean, belittle and control.

Fenway can be a landmark, but that doesn't mean it will always be where the Sox play. I'm not anticipating any move, though, which is just fine. The old Fenway green monster was covered with ads. They could conceivably do that again and still be 'historically sensitive'. And who would control the renovations? If it's a landmark won't they have to go through a government committee?

I never heard of it , but that picture sold me. I gotta see Thunderbolt!

I was on my way to a meeting on the same floor they were casting fo the sequels. Everyone and anyone who looked like a pirate in LA was lined up in the hall. If appearance is any indicator, the next 2 movies will be pretty wild. I've also caught a glimpse of a few pirate ship sets. It still amazes me that they can film a ship on a soundstage and it's so conincing on screen.