Totally Cool Cartoons
These are cartoons that can just be described as "cool." These are my picks, your mileage may vary. I'm sticking with line animation here, rather than CGI, so no Pixar (cool as they are) and no stop motion (though what is cooler than Rankin-Bass or Aardman?).
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- StarsMel BlancBea BenaderetHal SmithBugs Bunny and all his cartoon friends are stage performers entertaining audiences with 7 features per show, all of which are classic theatrical cartoons from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.This is basically a placeholder for the brilliant and anarchic Lonney Toons cartoons. Disney may have ruled the feature roost, but Warner Brothers had it all over them in the short realm. For my money, the best era is the post-war to mid-50s, before the budgets started getting thinner. Chuck Jones was at his peak and Friz Freleng created many a beloved cartoon.
- DirectorWalter LantzStarsMel BlancSara BernerBen HardawayThe psychiatrist needs a psychiatrist after attempting to treat Woody Woodpecker.Woody could be tons of fun, though quality varied in later years. Also along for the ride are Andy Panda and Chilly Willy.
- 1954–19971hUnrated8.2 (45)TV EpisodeDirectorRobert FloreyJack HannahStarsWalt DisneyClarence NashWalt Disney takes a look at the story of the creation of Donald Duck and his later career.The Donald Duck cartoons are probably the best shorts from Disney, as his volitile nature lended itself well to wild gags. Disney brilliantly combined these for some of the Ludwig Von Drake features, on the Wonderful World of Disney.
- 1954–19971hUnratedTV EpisodeDirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsWalt DisneyExplaining the outset that the concept of athletic training was born of necessity, Goofy scans a scrapbook of his escapades in boxing, swimming, golfing, baseball and other sports.Goofy was at his best when he was used in these kinds of short films, where he is used to parody sports and other cultural features, rather than straight adventures. They have much in common with Tex Avery's short subjects at MGM.
- 1954–19971hUnrated8.9 (26)TV EpisodeDirectorHamilton LuskeJack HannahCharles NicholsStarsClarence NashBill ThompsonRanger J. Audobon Woodlore tries to run his national park with efficiency, but one of the bears, Humphrey, manages to continually sabotage operations, as seen in various cartoons taking place at the park.Excellent compilation episode featuring the Ranger and Donald Duck.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsWilliam CostelloWilliam PennellBonnie PoePopeye begins his movie career by singing his theme song, demonstrating his strength at a carnival, dancing the hula with Betty Boop, pummeling Bluto, eating his spinach, and saving Olive Oyl from certain doom on the railroad tracks.Popeye's always been hit or miss for me; but, when he's good, he's really good!
- DirectorLes ClarkClyde GeronimiEric LarsonStarsMary CostaBill ShirleyEleanor AudleyAfter being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on a princess which only a prince can break, along with the help of three good fairies.Snow White leaves me rather cold, but this one is great. Maleficent is probably the scariest villain ever created at Disney.
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.You have to have a bit of patience with this one, as it can get a bit pompous and drags in segments. Warner Borthers sent it up in juct 7 minutes. Night on Bald Mountain is amazing animation and the Sorcerer's Apprentice is both fun and scary.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsKathryn BeaumontEd WynnRichard HaydnAlice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.Disney fairly well captures the flavor of Lewis Carroll, though the feature drags a bit here and there.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBobby DriscollKathryn BeaumontHans ConriedWendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.An exciting adventure from Disney.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsIlene WoodsJames MacDonaldEleanor AudleyWhen Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.My favorite fairy tale and Disney does a wonderful job with it. Bibbedy, Bobbedy Boo is still one of their best songs.
- DirectorJohn LounsberyWolfgang ReithermanBen SharpsteenStarsSebastian CabotJunius MatthewsBarbara LuddyIn this collection of animated shorts based on the stories and characters by A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, a honey-loving teddy bear, embarks on some eccentric adventures.The Pooh cartoons wonderfully capture AA Milne's books and I always loved the way the books themselves were included in the animation, such as when the falling rain causes the letters to run down the page, or how the gopher says, "Don't look me up, I'm not in the book!"
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisSebastian CabotLouis PrimaBagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.Wildly fun, the last with Walt's involvement. great stuff, with people like Phil Harris, Louis Prima, and Sebastian Cabot involved. George Sanders as Shere Khan is sheer brilliance.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisEva GaborSterling HollowayWith the help of a smooth talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country.Very much in the vein of 101 Dalmations, but with it's own fun. A lively jazz score helps elevate it.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiHamilton LuskeWolfgang ReithermanStarsRod TaylorBetty Lou GersonJ. Pat O'MalleyWhen a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the owners must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.Delightful tale of the dalmation puppies and the delightfully evil Cruella DeVille.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanDavid HandStarsBrian BedfordPhil HarrisRoger MillerThe story of the legendary British outlaw portrayed with the characters as anthropomorphic animals.Not Disney's best, but still a lot of fun, before things started to fall apart for Disney, in the 70s. Roger Miller as Alan A Dale makes for a great narrator.
- DirectorDave FleischerSteve MuffatiStarsBud CollyerJoan AlexanderJackson BeckThe Man of Steel fights a mad scientist who is destroying Metropolis with an energy cannon.The Fleischer cartoons are gorgeous to look at and have exciting stories. the Man of Steel isn't omnipotent yet, so he faces some real challenges.
- StarsJim MacGeorgeIrv ShoemakerSody ClampettBoard title "Matty's Funday Funniest" from 1959.Legendary cartoons from Bob Clampett. The duo started out as puppets, then later became cartoons. The style would influence people like John Krikfalusi and the animators of the Simpsons.
- CreatorDick DarleyStarsNed Le FevreMargaret KerryHal SmithScott McCloud is the Space Angel, a secret agent for EBI (Earth Bureau of Investigation) on board the spaceship Starduster fighting hard to protect the solar system.The animation is practically non-existant and the "synchro-vox" techniqgue of superimpose human mouths is bizarre, but the stories were fantastic and the series was designed by some great artists, like Doug Wildey and Alex Toth.
- CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsDaws ButlerDon MessickJimmy WeldonYogi, a smooth, talkative forest bear looks to raid park goers' picnic baskets, while Park Ranger Smith tries to stop him.Hanna-Barbera became the leading studio on television, with more limited animation, but excellent stories and voicework. The feature guys dismissed it as "radio with pictures;" but kids loved it.
- CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsAlan ReedMel BlancJean Vander PylThe misadventures of two modern-day Stone Age families, the Flintstones and the Rubbles.Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty came to houses every week, with Stone Age adventures and comedy. The concept was swiped from the Honeymooners, but the characters soon established themselves. The primitive versions of modern conveniences were always one of the highpoints.
- CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsGeorge O'HanlonJanet WaldoMel BlancThe misadventures of a futuristic family.The Jetsons were essentially the Flintstones at the other end of time, though minus the neighbors. This series was filled with wonderful mid-century modern designs and futuristic ideas, some of which actually came to pass. Great voice acting and smart comedy make ths still a lot of fun.
- CreatorAlex TothStarsDon MessickGinny TylerGary OwensThe adventures of a space superhero who can become invisible and his sidekicks.The best of the Hanna-Barbera hero shows, by far. Alex Toth designed it and filled it with memorable villains. The Dino-Boy companion shorts aren't in the same league.
- CreatorDoug WildeyStarsMike RoadTim MathesonDon MessickThe Quest family and their bodyguard investigate strange phenomena and battle villains around the world.Great adventure series that was wildly imaginative, grounded in (mostly) real science and understood that a little scary is not a bad thing. It's very much of its time and yet still timeless.
- CreatorBill ScottJay WardStarsBill ScottJune ForayPaul FreesRocky, a plucky flying squirrel and Bullwinkle, a bumbling but lovable moose, have a series of ongoing adventures.Rocky and Bullwinkle were the subversive cartoons of their day. the series satirized everything, holding no cows sacred. The early cartoons are a bit cruder but they became more sophisticated as they went. The companion features were equally brilliant, with Fractured Fairy Tales sending up everything from the Brothers Grimm to Disney. Mr Peabody and Sherman took shots at history and Dudley Do-Right poked fun at melodrama and goody-goody heroes.
- StarsGeorge S. IrvingWally CoxAllen SwiftThe adventures of a rhyming canine superhero.What looks like a Superman parody on the surface turns out to be much smarter underneath. Wally Cox made the rhyming hero endearing and the adventures were exciting and fun.
- StarsKenny DelmarDon AdamsBradley BolkeThe educational misadventures of a fast-talking penguin and his dumb walrus friend.Tennessee and Chumley get into all kinds of trouble and must consult Mr Whoopie and the 3DBB (3-Dimensional BlackBoard), for lessons in science and history, to get themselves out of trouble. The companion cartoons varied a bit, with Commander McBragg being a personal favorite.
- StarsBud CollyerBob HastingsJackson BeckThe animated debut of Batman & Robin brings the Dynamic Duo to animated life in Filmation's cult classic take on The Dark Knight and The Boy Wonder, defending Gotham City from The Caped Crusader's Rogues Gallery, one crook at a time.The Superman cartoons are ok but the Batman ones were great. They were lively and they were actually allowed to fight the villains. however, this would eventually lead to the restrictions on violence that made many 70s cartoons so bland.
- DirectorRobert CannonJohn HubleyStarsMarvin MillerThe story of a little boy who would only talk in sound effects. With story by Dr. Seuss (and Bill Scott of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame) this cartoon won the Oscar for best short subject (animated) for 1950.Fantastic cartoon from UPA, featuring writing from Dr Seuss.
- StarsDaws ButlerDon MessickDoug YoungThe adventures of a blue dog with a southern accent.Fun cartoons, featuring Daws Butler as the Southern hound, who often had to deal with smart alecky opponents.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsBill ThompsonFrank GrahamThe Wolf escapes from prison but is hounded by the police dog named Droopy. Wherever The Wolf goes, the little fellow is there, too.Start of the Droopy series, which made me very happy. Wonderfully deapan comedy mixed with wild sightgags.
- CreatorAllan BurnsStarsBill ScottJune ForayPaul FreesAn anthology of Jay Ward cartoon creations, featuring a dumb ape man and his friends.Cartoon series from Jay Ward. not quite up to Bullwinkle standards, but still great fun.
- CreatorAlex TothStarsVirginia GreggTed EcclesDon MessickKing Zandor and a group of bizarre creatures protect their futuristic kingdom from creatures from other galaxies.On a far away planet, live a family of adventurers and their monstrous companions. Very inventive, with wonderful Alex Toth designs.
- StarsTed CassidyDon MessickHal SmithThree cartoons packed into one half hour. Frankenstein Jr. was a robot constructed by a boy-genius to fight crime, The Impossibles were undercover agents disguised as a rock group.Great series. The Frankenstein Jr cartoons were decent, if a tad uninspired, at times. The Impossibles were the real favorites, mixing the Beatles with superheroes.
- StarsHoward MorrisDal McKennonJohn ErwinThe comedic misadventures and music of Archie Andrews and his friends.First of the long running Archie cartoon series, from Filmation. Archie and the gang have short adventures, sing some songs, and do some quick jokes. The series would spawn the pop hit, "Sugar, sugar." Few of the later series were as good as the first.
- StarsJohn ErwinHoward MorrisDal McKennonArchie and the gang present animated adaptations of popular comic strips like Smokey Stover and Dick Tracy.Archie and the gang work at a tv station, where they broadcast cartoons based on popular comic strips. The ebst, for my money, was Dick Tracy.
- StarsJerry HausnerBenny RubinMel BlancCartoon series produced by UPA, in which Dick Tracy (voiced by the distinguished film and stage actor Everett Sloane) played more or less of an incidental role. Most of the crime fighting was left to his assistants, all originals created for the series: Hemlock Holmes (an English bulldog who talked like Cary Grant), the calorically challenged beat cop Heap O'Calorie (who talked like Andy Devine), and the offensively (today) stereotyped Latino and Asian characters Go-Go Gomez and Joe Jitsu, respectively. Most of the familiar Tracy villains from the comic strip (Flattop, Mumbles, Pruneface, etc.) were featured here, as well. In addition to Sloane, such talented voice persons and character actors as Benny Rubin, Paul Frees, and Mel Blanc handled much of the voice-work for this series.Stylistic cartoon series, featuring the comic strip detective.
- StarsMichael RyeShepard MenkenAgnes MooreheadAn ex-Texas Ranger fights injustice in the Old West.Animated adventures of the masked hero. Very stylized animation, with stories featuring steampunk elements. Very reminiscent of the Wild Wild West.
- CreatorJoe RubyKen SpearsJoseph BarberaStarsDon MessickCasey KasemNicole JaffeA group of teenage friends and their Great Dane (Scooby-Doo) travel in a bright green van solving strange and hilarious mysteries, while returning from or going to a regular teenage function.Created to compete with the Beatles and Archie cartoons. The musician idea was abandoned in favor of pure mysteries, though music was a regular feature, during the chase scenes. This is still the best of the series, with great stories and characters, along with thos meddling kids and their dog.
- CreatorBill CosbyStarsBill CosbyGerald EdwardsLou ScheimerThe educational adventures of a group of Afro-American inner city kids.Bill Cosby created this series, voiced it, and appeared in intro and epilogue segments. Great series, with plenty of good morals. The stiffer Filmation animation and use of stock footage did limit things a bit.
- CreatorGene RoddenberryStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyDeForest KelleyThe further adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise, as they explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.Star Trek lasted 3 years on the networks, but gained new life in syndication. This led to Filmation pitching a cartoon series, which was enthusiastically received by all. The original cast was back (minus Walter Koenig, who instead wrote an episode). The animation allowed for real aliens and the use of mostly sci-fi writers led to some of the smartest cartoons on tv. It was marred by repeated use of stock footage, like most Filmation cartoons.
- CreatorGardner FoxStarsDanny DarkCasey KasemOlan SouleThe greatest of the DC Comics superheroes work together to uphold the good with the help of some young proteges.Filmation had produced cartoons featuring Superman, Batman and, Aquaman, as well as back up cartoons featuring the Flash, Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, the Justice League and the Teen Titans. They also put Superman and Wonder Woman into episodes of the Brady Kids. Now, Hanna-Barbera had the license and they went with the Justice League. Alex Toth did the design work. The stories were nventive, making up for the ban on violence, and featured ecological themese, in keeping with the spirirt of the times. It would spawn additional series for the next decade.
By far the best of the superfriends shows, featuring the Justice League battling the Legion of Doom. - CreatorTatsuo YoshidaStarsKatsuji MoriPeter FernandezCorinne OrrTeenager Gô Mifune aspires to be the world's best race-car champion with the help of his friends, family and his father's high-tech race-car, the Mach 5.This Japanese cartoon became a hit in US syndication. Part of the charm was the rather fevered delivery of the dialogue, as they tried to match the mouth movements of the original cartoons. The stories were exciting, with elements of racing, spi-fy, and crime stories. It would spawn later series (which pale in comparison) and a live action movie (which isn't bad, but can't hold a candle to the cartoon).
- StarsGeorge DiCenzoEvan C. KimDee TimberlakeA trio of teenage superheroes, representing three different racial groups, use their powers to fight against evil forces.This was an attempt to cash in on Star Wars, though it owed more to Green Lantern. Three people are plucked from different times in Earth's past and given superpowers and training. They are returned to Earth as its protectors. The group faces many challenges, from aliens who were worshipped as gods in ancient Egypt, to rogue Sentinels. The episodes could be a bit uneven, and the comedy was usually lame, but the adventures were good. It started out as the Young Sentinels, but the name was changed to attract the Star Wars audience.
- CreatorStan LeeSteve DitkoStarsPaul SolesPeg DixonPaul KligmanOriginal cartoon series based on the web-slinging Marvel comic book character, Peter Parker, who, after being bit by a radioactive spider, assumes extraordinary powers.The animation was nothing to write home about, but the stories were good and it had many of the elements of the comics. It was superior to the Marvel Super Heroes show, which had little motion to speak of, nd was a bit more faithful than Hanna-Barbera's Fantastic Four.
- StarsPatricia StevensFrank WelkerCasey KasemScooby Doo and the gang solve mysteries; then Blue Falcon and Dynomutt fight crime in each two-part episode of this animated series.Scooby Doo was more of the same, but Dynomutt featured comedic adventures of a pair of superheroes. It was actually pretty funny, duplicating many of the elements of the Adam West Batman show.
- StarsSherry AlberoniJerry DexterCathy DouglasAn up-and-coming pop-music group and its entourage get involved with strange mysteries while touring the world.Plenty of music and mystery, as the Archie characters are brought to life by H-B. They would also meet Scooby Doo, in the New Scooby Doo Movies.
- CreatorDavid LevyStarsJosh AlbeeHoward CaineJohn CarverThe spooky family finds adventures while on a cross-country road trip in a camper shaped like their mansion.Fun cartoon series, based on both the comics and the live tv series. The designs were based more on the comics.
- StarsNicole JaffeCasey KasemDon MessickThe Mystery Inc. gang investigate more supernatural sightings with various guest stars and characters.Scooby and the gang meet up with various guest stars, including the Addams Family, Josie and the Pussycats, the Three Stooges, and Batman & Robin. The episodes varied a little bit, based on the guest stars (Mama Cass? Sandy Duncan?) but were quite good, overall.
- CreatorOsamu TezukaStarsBillie Lou WattMari ShimizuEsperanzita MartínezAs long as trouble's brewing across the universe, the small but powerful robot, Astro Boy, will have adventures, assisted by his mentor, Dr. Elefun.This early Japanese cartoon series featured an adaptation of Tetsuwan Atom. It became one of the first Japanese hits in the US and led to later anime reaching our shores. Very imaginative, if a bit crude, by today's standards.
- StarsAlan YoungKeye LukeRonnie SchellA five-member superhero team called G-Force fights to defend Earth and its space colonies from the threat of the planet Spectra.Sandy Frank brought Gatchaman to the US shores, with new voicing (from H-B veterans) and revamped stories that put the action on other planets (which all looked like Earth). Violence was toned down and a robot narrator added to cover the missing footage. Compared to Saturday morning fare, it was mind-blowing.
- StarsRobert RidgelyAlan OppenheimerDiane PershingThe adventures of the comic strip space hero and his friends as they battle the tyranny of Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo.Cartoon series from Filmation. The stories were faithful to the original strips and the animation was lush, using rotoscoping for the action scenes and for model shots. This was the best thing on Saturday morning, until they added a cute dragon, in the second season.
- CreatorSteve GerberStarsHenry CordenRobert RidgelyNellie BellflowerThundarr the Barbarian and his companions Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel wander a devastated future Earth and fight evil wherever they find it.Exceptional adventure series, featuring the exploits of three adventurers in a post-apocalyptic Earth. Marvel Comics writer Steve Gerber (Howard the Duck) created the series and the show was designed by Jack Kirby, Alex Toth, and Gil Kane. Exceptional writing and artistry made it stand out.
- CreatorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsScatman CrothersJoe E. RossKathy GoriA kung-fu-fighting pup and his snickering cat sidekick battle crime.The animation was standard fare, but the comedy, thanks to the delivery of Scatman Crothers, was superior, making this a memorable show.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancPrivate Snafu has a secret: his ship leaves for Africa at 4:30. He's determined to keep it, but bit by bit it slips out, and eventually, the details end up right on Hitler's desk and the ship is engaged.Meet Private Snafu, the epitome of the GI. or maybe not. These wartime cartoons were made for the US Army, to cover a variety of topics, and featured work from Warner Bros., with people like Chuck Jones and Dr. Seuss involved.
- DirectorShamus CulhaneStarsDick NelsonThe first of the Mr. Hook cartoons, done for the US Navy, in WWII, much like the Private Snafu toons for the Army.
- StarsRoss MartinJohn StephensonJosh AlbeeCartoon adventure series that focused on a group of Oceanauts in their experimental complex on the ocean floor.Apart from the Superfriends, this was the last of the Hanna-Barbera pure-adventure shows, for some time. The setting is an underwater research community and the episodes revolved around the dangers lurking underneath, oceanic n'erdowells, and the like. The Wild Wild West's Ross Martin voiced one of the leads. This was a favorite as a young child and I would pretend to be at Selab, when I was at the town swimming pool, in the summer. The animation is stiff by today's standards but the stories are good. Footage would be later used for the much altered Sealab 2021.
- StarsRobert RidgelyJack BannonErika ScheimerThis series is based on the adventures of Tarzan who seeks to champion the less fortunate, to right wrongs and to protect both the animals in his jungle as well as the human visitors.Excellent Tarzan cartoon series (the side image is not from the show) from Filmation. They used rotoscoping for the action scenes, which gave them more life; and, plots quite often revolved around "lost" civilizations. Robert Ridgely (Thundarr, Flash Gordon, Beverly Hills Cop 2) provided the voice.
- StarsJane WebbJohn ErwinDal McKennonSabrina's involved with a band of monsters, The Groovy Ghoulies; a rock band with Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein; who scare people for their own amusement.The Sabrina cartoons were ok, on par with the Archie Show; but, the Groovy Goolies were just that. The show featured brief skits and quick gagas with the characters, whoe were charicatures of the Universal monsters. The show was patterned after Laugh-In, though the jokes were usually lamer. Filmation voice stalwarts, like Larry Storch and Howard Morris did many of the voices. It was a fun show with some great music and can count Alice Cooper as a fan.
- CreatorBob CampChuck TatelyStarsRich LittlePaul FreesDave BarryA classy, resourceful panther has plenty of hilarious misadventures, outwitting those who annoy him with his clever tricks.The Pink Panther came down from the movie screen and lept onto the tv screen, with new cartoons from Dave DePatie and Friz Freleng. Pink was the coolest cat on tv and the silent cartoons were big on slapstick and sightgags. Also joining the Panther were the Ant and the Aardvark (who had debuted on the D-F show Tijuana Toads) and the Inspector, who was based on Inspector Clouseau (and voiced by Pat Harrington of One Day at a Time).
- StarsHenry DarrowJulio MedinaDon DiamondThe further adventures of the masked hero of Spanish California.Filmation brought Zorro to life in this animated series, a cut above their usual stuff. It's filled with intrigue and swashbuckling, with rotoscoping giving life to the fencing, though no one ever gets hurt. The plots were on par with the Disney series, and Henry Darrow, an actual Latino actor, voiced the character. he also had a sidekick, Amigo, in his adventures. The shows featured an epilogue with a Spanish lesson or bits about the history of Old California.
- StarsJudy StrangisMicky DolenzJohn StephensonThe globe-trotting adventures of a group of teenage spies masquerading as a rock-and-roll band.Not, the outlaw, but the leader of a rock 'n' Roll band, who double as secret agents. The show came from H-B and was a nice twist on the Scooby Doo mystery theme, minus the animal-centric comedy. Mickey Dolenz, of the Monkees, played the drummer. The stories were pretty good.
- StarsBob DoroughJack SheldonLynn AhrensA series of shorts illustrating various songs that teach multiplication tables, grammar, science, American history, computers, economics, and environmentalism.Not so much a regular cartoon series, as much as a series of educational commercials. The networks had mandated educational content on Saturday morning, which led to things like the US of Archie, with it's historical stories, and the moral lessons in the Superfriends. However, an ad agency approached Fred Silverman at ABC, with the idea of cartoons set to music, designed to teach multiplication tables. The started with the classic "Three is a Magic Number," the first cartoon for Multiplication Rock. It proved a huge hit and they slowly worked their way through the numerical sequence. Next, they added Grammar Rock, America Rock (in time for the Bicentennial) and Science Rock. The songs were catchy and the cartoons lively. Teachers later reported hearing humming when they administered the Constitution test, and found out the students were humming the song "We the People," which features the text of the Preamble (you just had to remember to insert "of the United States..."). The US Congress asked for copies of "The Three Ring Circus," (about the three branches of government, and, "I'm Just a Bill," (about how laws are created and passed). This was the rare educational cartoon that actually aided learning and was fun.
- StarsMaylo McCaslinBarry GordonDawn JefforyThe adventures of a high school for superheroes while the Marvel Family fights evil with the power given to them by the wizard, Shazam.This was two cartoons: Hero High and Shazam. hero High was average stuff from Filmation (meant to be an Archie superhero show, but the company turned it down); but, Shazam wonderfully captured the spirit and tone of the classic Captain Marvel stories. Paul Dini (Batman TAS) had one of his earliest writing credits here.
- CreatorBrian CosgroveMark HallStarsDavid JasonTerry ScottEdward KelseyDanger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K's orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck's inventions) to foil Baron Greenback's and his henchman Stiletto's plans.Outstanding and hilarious cartoon series from the UK. The stories featured the adventures of the World's Greatest Secret Agent, with the World's Worst Assistant. The match wits with the evil toad, Baron Silsa Greenback, and a few other villains, including the rather Scottish alien JJ Quark. The series was great fun and featured voicework from David Jason (Touch of Frost).
- StarsPeter CullenMichael BellJack AngelThis series focuses on five lion robots and their pilots as they fight the evil forces of King Zarkon and Prince Lotor.An American adaptation of a Japanese cartoon. However, the American crew didn't have story translations, so they had to work out the basic plot and write their own scripts and characters. The show is great adventure, with complex characters. The favorite are the Lion Force episodes, but the series included a seperate Japanese cartoon as the later season of Voltron. This is one of the early anime pioneers, along with Astroboy, Spped Racer, Battle of the Planets, Robotech, and Star Blazers
- StarsEddie AllenMichael BertoliniAmy Howard WilsonIn the year 2199, a starship must make a dangerous voyage to the distant planet Iscandar and back to save Earth from an alien invasion.The success of Star Wars had Hollywood scrambling to cash in. This helped bring seeral anime programs to US shores, including Space Battleship Yamato, which was renamed Star Blazers. The Earth has been subjected to an alien attack, using radioactive wepaons, driving the populace underground. The Earth is contacted by a rival alien, who has the technology to help Earth but cannot make the journey. So the Earth outfits a spaceship and sends a team to find Earth's salvation. The series featured mature stories and quality animation. The Yamato sequels were used as additional seasons.
- CreatorCarl MacekStarsSteve KramerTom WynerRobert AxelrodAn alien spaceship crash lands on Earth and the technology and secrets she bears lead Earth into three destructive interplanetary wars.Three different Japanese anime shows were united into one US series, Robotech. The series had soap opera, space battles, intrigue, action, romance, and just about anything you could ask for. Some criticised the altered storylines and characters, while others thrilled to the more mature adventures, after years of Scooby Doo and the like.
- CreatorDennis MarksStan LeeSteve DitkoStarsHans ConriedSally JulianJerry DexterSpider-Man battles crime in New York City with the help of Iceman and Firestar.Another variation on Spider-Man, which added Iceman, from the X-Men, and Firestar, a new mutant character. The series was generally ok; but, what made it standout was the "Origin of Firestar," which featured the X-Men as guest stars (they had appeared in one episode of the Marvel Superheroes syndicated show) and an additional appearance later on. The series was getting closer to bringing the massively popular X-Men to life.
- StarsJackson BeckChristopher CollinsMichael BellAn elite special missions force fights against the terrorist forces of Cobra.I never liked this series but it was a huge hit in it's day. The stories could be good, though the animation and models were rather stiff, even compared to Filmation and Hanna-Barbera. Also, the restrictions on violence meant that no one ever got seriously hurt, as missiles hit planes and laser beams fly everywhere (can't have bullets!). To me, it was a watered down Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD (which was the genesis for the JOE team concept).
- CreatorHenry OrensteinStarsFrank WelkerPeter CullenCorey BurtonTwo opposing factions of transforming alien robots engage in a battle that has the fate of Earth in the balance.Again, I'm not a fan, but it had many, so as a nod to the younger generation, I'll include it.
- StarsBob McFaddenLarry KenneyEarl HammondA team of humanoid cats fight evil in their adopted home world.Now here was an 80s cartoon I could get into. The show featured great adventure stories and the animation was lush. The voicework was very good, too. It had it all over the juvenile He-Man and the sanitized GI Joe. This was about as epic as it got in the 80s.
- CreatorRalph BakshiJohn KricfalusiStarsPatrick PinneyDana HillRodger BumpassMighty Mouse has humorous, satirical adventures in this short-lived Saturday Morning cartoon by Ralph Bakshi.Ralph Bakshi helped revive the old Terrytoon character Mighty Mouse, but with a twist. The episodes were very hip and self aware, thanks in large part to people like John Krikfalusi. This was a great show that ended up getting yanked by the network after a scene was misinterpreted by a conservative watchdog group. It would help lay the groundwork for Ren and Stimpy, in the coming years.
- CreatorRon FriedmanStarsNorman BernardCarol BilgerSamantha ParisA family of machine-enhanced human beings, each possessing unique powers after being augmented with bionic technology, battles evil. Together, the family form a superhero team called the Bionic Six.I've only seen a couple of these, but the animation is great (from Tokyo Movie Shinsa) and the stories were good. Alex Toth did some design work on it.
- DirectorRay LeeStarsMichael BellEarl BoenAndi ChapmanJust as teenage mutant Kitty Pryde is welcomed to the X-Men, the team of mutant heroes are called into battle to prevent Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants from crashing a comet into the Earth.This was a pilot for an X-Men cartoon, but it didn't come to pass (not in this form, anyway). It features a great story, based around Kitty Pryde's arrival at Professor Xavier's school. All of the pieces are here, though Wolverine still has an Australian accent, as in Spidey and His Amazing Friends. Eventually, someone looked up a wolverine in the encyclopedia.
- DirectorKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsMitsuo IwataNozomu SasakiMami KoyamaA secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.After the groundwork had been laid with anime in adapted form, the US was ready for pure Japanese anime (well, with English dubbing). This feature adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's manga blew everyone away, with it's cyberpunk styling and epic story. critics fawned over it and people turned out to see it in theaters (if they were lucky); but more turned out when it came to home video. It owes much to Blade Runner, but it would inspire as much as it took from others.
- CreatorNaoko TakeuchiStarsStephanie ShehKotono MitsuishiKate HigginsA group of schoolgirls discover they are incarnations of super-powered alien princesses, and use their abilities to defend the earth.This series did much to attract young girls to anime, setting the groundwork for one of the biggest components of manga and anime fandom.
- StarsHolly PayneRobert ScullWilliam WaghornMTV's classic, surreal, experimental, grotesque, macabre and darkly humorous animation anthology featuring both serialized and one-off segments. The show also features music videos and rare live action and puppet segments.MTV launched this groundbeaking anthology of hip animation. The features varied wildly and included Beavis and Butthead, Aeon Flux, Grinning Evil Death, Plymptoons, and Stick Figure Theater. It lasted for 3 seasons and helped launch the careers of Peter Chung and Mike Judge.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksMatt GroeningSam SimonStarsDan CastellanetaNancy CartwrightHarry ShearerThe satiric half-hour adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.The Simpsons began life as companion shorts for the Tracy Ullman Show. The producers originally hoped to bring Matt Groening's Life in Hell cartoons to life, but he went a different route, with a wild family, somewhat modelled on his own. This led to a Christmas special and the legendary tv series, which has lasted for over 20 years. It's glory days are long behind it, but it produced some of the finest moments in tv comedy.
- CreatorAl JeanMike ReissStarsJon LovitzNick JamesonMaurice LaMarcheJay Sherman is a New York film critic who has to review films he doesn't like for a living.Some of the Simpsons writer/producers went off to create their own show, built around John Lovitz. What they came up with was a series about a film critic, on a dysfunctional cable channel. What they delivered was smart film parody, some engaging character-driven comedy, and lots of fun. The series was canned by the network but gained new life on cable, setting a precedent for many shows in the future.
- CreatorBen EdlundStarsTownsend ColemanMicky DolenzRob PaulsenAn invulnerable, somewhat dim, superhero protects The City from all manner of evil-doers.Ben Edlund's loopy indy comic was brought to life at Fox, complete with insanity intact. The series was a breath of fresh air in a seas of toy commercials, disguised as cartoons, and some lackluster fare aimed solely at very young children. It was a cartoon that adults could watch and love.
- CreatorMike JudgeStarsMike JudgeKristofor BrownDale RevoAnimated MTV series about two teenage heavy-metal music fans who occasionally do idiotic things because they're bored. For them, everything is "cool" or "sucks."After finding success on MTV's Liquid Television, the anarchic duo got their own series on the same network. Mike Judge filled the world with two idiots, set somewhere in the Southwest. The cartoons were Id run rampant, with some sly social commentary mixed in. Where it really excelled was in ripping into the less-than-stellar videos featured on MTV. Bands could suddenly become cool or be declared lame with one quick spot on the show.
- CreatorGlenn EichlerSusie LewisStarsTracy GrandstaffWendy HoopesJulian RebolledoA smart and cynical girl goes through teenage life as a proud outsider in a world of mainly idiotic adolescents and condescending adults.Extremely smart show that was spun-off from Beavis and Butthead. Daria had been one of their classmates, now she got her own show and gave a heroine to every brainy school girl who felt like an outsider. The show fit in very well with the indie comics world, standing alongside such works as Love and Rockets, the work of Dan Clowes, and Sarah Dyer's Action Girl Comics.
- StarsAmy DanlesGlynnis TalkenTony FucileConfused hulking homeless superhero The Maxx tries to protect his social worker and friend Julie from an omniscient serial killer Mr. Gone both in the real world, which may or may not actually be real, and the subconscious fantasy world.MTV helped bring Sam Keith and William Messner-Loeb's comic to life in this odd, but well done series. The Maxx is a superhero, or maybe he is just the dream avatar for a janitor. Reality and fantasy would twist back and forth in this intelligent series. It also had the distinction of coming out more consistently than the Image comic.
- CreatorPeter ChungStarsDenise PoirierJohn Rafter LeeMax RedmondThere is a mysterious and immoral secret agent from the country of Monica. Her motives and background remain unexplained, as do those of her antagonist/lover, Trevor Goodchild.The other big hit, spawned by Liquid Television. Aeon Flux is an agent for the anarchic nation of Monica, as she works to undermine the ordered society of Breen, led by her sometimes lover Trevor Goodchild. The series rarely made sense and was more an exercise in style over substance, but it was an engaging style.
- CreatorSteven E. de SouzaStarsDavid KeeleySusan RomanBruce TubbeThe adventures of the human survivors in a future dinosaur dominated world.Cartoon series based on Mark Shultz's breathtakingly beautiful comic series Xenozoic Tales (affectionately known as Cadillacs and Dinosaurs). The animation came from Canadian company Nelvana, and they went to town on the designwork, raising this above standard fare for Saturday morning.
- CreatorBob KaneEric RadomskiBruce TimmStarsKevin ConroyLoren LesterEfrem Zimbalist Jr.The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.In the wake of two hugely successful Batman films from Tim Burton came this animated series from Warner Brothers. The series drew inspiration from the legendary Fleischer Superman cartoons and the classic stories of the Batman comics. It was faithful in all areas, even adapting some of the stories directly. It launched a whole franchise of Warner/DC Comics collaborations (DC is a subsidiary of WB).
- CreatorAlan SmartStarsCharlie AdlerJohn KassirTress MacNeilleThe wacky adventures of the new young hip generation of Warner Brothers Looney Tunes characters, most of them descendants of the original classic toon cast.Warner Brothers decided to revive their Looney Tunes characters as younger versions, ala Flintstones Kids and Muppet Babies. This sounded like a recipe for disaster, but they wisely created new characters, who were proteges of the classic gang. These new characters soon established their own personalities, while delivering the same anarchic fun and satire of the originals. Stephen Speilberg took far too much credit for the series, but it was a gas.
- CreatorTom RueggerStarsRob PaulsenJess HarnellTress MacNeilleThe zany adventures of a trio of 1930s animated characters in the modern world.WB/Amblin (Spielberg's company) built on the success of Tiy Toons with another series, Animaniacs. The series featured comedic adventures of the three Warner siblings (Yakko, Wakko, and Dot), Slappy Squirrel, Buttons and Mindsy, Goodfeathers, and my favorite, Pinky and the Brain. The Warners and P&B were the stars and brought fun to weekday afternoons throughout the 90s.
- CreatorTom RueggerStarsPaul RuggDavid KaufmanJoe LeahyWashington, D.C. has a new defender: Freakazoid. The comedy and insanity never stop when he's around, and he's only one of the weird heroes of the series. It's better than a nice tub of good things.More anarchy from WB and Amblin, in the form of a superhero parody. It wasn't quite as smart as The Tick, but it made up for it in enthusiasm and by often breaking the fourth wall.
- CreatorMark Edward EdensSidney IwanterEric LewaldStarsCedric SmithCal DoddLenore ZannA team of mutant superheroes fight for justice and human acceptance in the Marvel Comics universe.The X-Men finally came to life, with cartoons from Saban. The models were rather over-rendered, which made for stiff action, but the stories were well adapted from the comics. Wolverine even had the right accent. It couldn't hold a candel to BTAS, stylistically, but held it's own storywise. This would help push Marvel into better cartoon series, though often with shaky starts.
- CreatorTodd McFarlaneAlan B. McElroyStarsKeith DavidRichard DysartDominique JenningsAfter being betrayed and murdered by his employer, a government assassin is resurrected as a Hellspawn and is forced to act as the reluctant leader of Hell's army.Adult animated adaptation of Todd McFarlane's Image comic. It had the distinction of being more coherent than either the comics or the terrible live action movie, but that doesn't mean it was totally comprehensible. It did have a great budget and wide lattitude from HBO.
- CreatorDavid MandelScott MosierKevin SmithStarsBrian O'HalloranJeff AndersonJason MewesThe continuing adventures of clerks Dante and Randal, who try to make the best of their menial labor, with no help from Jay and Silent Bob.Animated series, based on Kevin Smith's Askiewniverse films. ABC bought it, but only commissioned six episodes, and only aired two of them. It does a great job of capturing the spirit of Clerks, while ably adapting to the restrictions of network tv. Jeff Anderson especially proved to be a good fit with cartoon voicework and the series mixed Smith's dialogue with excellent film parodies. Alec Baldwin made an excellent addition as the slightly insane Leonardo Leonardo.
- CreatorGenndy TartakovskyStarsKath SoucieJeff BennettChristine CavanaughThe misadventures of a boy genius and his annoying sister.Debuting as part of Cartoon Network's "What a Cartoon? Show" Dexter proved to be the first hit. The series revolves around a boy genius, wit a secret lab, who is constantly pestered by older sister (and ballet lover) Dee Dee. The series was a geek paradise of sci-fi parodies, superheroes, and Warner Bros. sensibilities. It also featured the companion cartoons Dial M for Monkey (a superhero parody that mixed Dial H for Hero, SHIELD, the Fantastic Four, and DC's simian-centric comics) and Justice Friends (a parody of Marvel heroes Thor, Hulk, and Captain America). The series reached an epic conclusion with, "Last But Not Beast," a full half hour of Dexter and family, Monkey, and the Justice Friends, with parodies of Japanese monsters, power ranger shows (super sentai, in Japan), American superhero comics, and Japanese anime (including 70s Gatchaman-styled and 80s Macross). Then, it was given extended life, but with lesser results.
- CreatorCraig McCrackenStarsCathy CavadiniElizabeth DailyTara StrongThree super-powered little girls constantly save the world (or at least the city of Townsville) from monsters, would-be conquerers and a few other gross things.Second hit from What a Cartoon?, featuring 3 little girl superheroes. The show had plenty for kids and adults, and gave action heroines to little girls. These gals rocked!
- CreatorJohn DilworthStarsMarty GrabsteinThea WhitePeter FernandezThe offbeat adventures of Courage, a cowardly dog who must overcome his own fears to heroically defend his unknowing farmer owners from all kinds of dangers, paranormal events and menaces that appear around their land.Another Cartoon Network favorite, complete with monsters and aliens, but without the meddling kids of a Scooby Doo.
- CreatorVan PartibleStarsJeff BennettBrenda VaccaroMae WhitmanThe misadventures of a dumb blond egomaniac who severely overestimates his own manliness and his supposed "success" with women.Another spin-off from What a Cartoon?, with the Elvis-like Johnny Bravo. Wondeful fun, little mama!
- CreatorJohn KricfalusiBob CampJim GomezStarsJohn KricfalusiBilly WestHarris PeetRen, a psychotic Chihuahua, and Stimpson J. Cat, a dimwitted Manx cat who goes by the nickname Stimpy, have a host of unusual adventures.John Krikfalusi gave life to this grotesque but subversivelly funny duo. The cartoons became big favorites on Nickelodian, before the network started interfering. They were short-lived, but the stuff of legends.
- CreatorGabor CsupoPaul GermainArlene KlaskyStarsElizabeth DailyChristine CavanaughNancy CartwrightTommy, Chuckie, Angelica, Phil and Lil and Susie find themselves in a slew of adventures - both real and imaginary. Baldly go where no baby's every gone before as the Rugrats turn the ordinary into the extraordinary every day.Another favorite from Nickelodian, featuring the exploits of a group of realistic little kids. The stories were well written and the voice cast was well chosen. It led to a movie and some specials before it was over.
- CreatorCraig BartlettSteve VikstenJoe AnsolabehereStarsFrancesca Marie SmithJamil Walker SmithDan CastellanetaThe everyday life of Arnold, a fourth-grader in the city of Hillwood, Washington, who lives in a multi-racial boarding house with his grandparents and a motley assortment of friends and neighbors.A favorite of my girlfriend and her son, which quickly grew on me. It has well developed characters, some good humor, and excellent moral lessons.