The second exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum was a tribute to Hanna-Barbera. It included many original animation cells, sketches and related products.
Did you have any favorites? I always liked Pixie and Dixie, the crazy mice who were pals of Huckleberry Hound.
For that matter, I enjoyed Huckleberry Hound himself. The cell below and the original sketches are both on display.
Here's a closer look.
Top Cat was another favorite. The cells are still vibrantly colorful.
When I think of Tom and Jerry, I often think of Jerry the Mouse dancing with Gene Kelly in "Anchors Away." But they were pretty big daytime stars, too.
Again, the original sketches appeal to me almost more than the finished cells because you can follow the thought process.
And then there was Rough and Reddy.
I never watched them but now I wish I had!
Of course, there were the Flintstones, with family comedy of the Stone Age and the Jetsons, the family of the future. I loved the Flintstones most.
They also were one of the earlier users of merchandising for movies -- toys, dolls, games... those were on display, too.
Of course, it all goes back to Yogi and Boo Boo. Yogi was a breakout character from the Huckleberry Hound series. He was one of several characters who had a collar and this was not only a character enchancement but a time saver for the animators. The collar let the animators keep the body static but the head was redrawn to indicate movement or speech. In doing so, they cut cut the number of drawings needed for a seven minute cartoon by 12,000. (Yes, not a typo. 12,000.) Yogi's nemesis was Mr. Ranger and his pal, Boo Boo. Considering himself "smarter than the average bear," he had a great fondness for snitching pic-a-nic baskets from campers.
Anyone ready for a picnic?
And in case these images have reminded you of days gone by, enjoy!
