Welcome to my
blog dedicated to the 4 prime time Hanna-Barbera cartoon series from the early
1960’s. The Flintstones, Top Cat, The
Jetsons and Jonny Quest all ran in primetime on ABC-TV and were distributed by Columbia Pictures television subsidiary, Screen Gems. For this reason, all these entities (including ABC retro logo) are depicted in my blog banner.
To most animation purist and historians, Hanna and Barbera output
with exception of their classic MGM Tom & Jerry cartoons have been largely
ridiculed. Looking at their efforts post 1968 I would be inclined to agree with
that assessment but I believe many of their early made for TV animated cartoons
such as Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear,
Quick Draw McGraw and others all had elements which made them memorable and
entertaining if not aesthetically pleasing to some. Whether it be stylized
characters and backgrounds, distinctive voices and catchy music they remain
favorites of post late 50’s/early 60 TV watching baby boomers who did not grow
up watching theatrical cartoons on the big screen. I have decided to focus on Hanna-Barbera prime
time shows produced for the ABC-TV in the early 1960’s. For me, these are the H-B
shows I most identify with and enjoyed watching - even to this day. In the weeks
and months ahead, I plan to delve deeper into the origins, stories and creative
people behind these wonderful shows. 