What A Cartoon!
January 11th, 2006
I got into the cartoon business at Hanna-Barbera in 1992, and soon started making short cartoons modeled on the great theatrical shorts of the 20th century.
Our first 48 shorts were called What A Cartoon! and debuted in 1995 on Cartoon Network as World Premiere Toons.
And, you ask, why am I telling you all this? Well, finally after 10 years I’ve gotten it together to post video captured images of most of these shorts. Who’s there? Genndy Tartakovsky, Craig McCraken, Dave Feiss, Pat Ventura, Van Partible, Bruno Buzzetto, John Dillworth, Joe Barbera, Bill Hanna, Miles Thompson, Jerry Reynolds, geez, the list keeps going…Ralph Bakshi, Butch Hartman, Robert Alvarez…
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On January 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Man, I was 7 when What A Cartoon! came on and those images really bring back memories!
On January 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hoorah for What a Cartoon!!!!!
On January 15th, 2006 at 12:00 am
This is great, Fred! Thanks for posting these. This helped me find out what the title was to one of my favorite What A Cartoon short, “Buy One, Get One Free.” That one was hilarious.
On January 15th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hey Fred!!! These video capture images are great! Thanks!
I’m a giant fan of your “What a Cartoon!” program. To me, you brought this ingenious program of producing cartoon shorts at the best time. It was a time, I feel, of a cartoon renaisance, where the public was becoming more aware of cool cartoons, especially from the embarking of The Ren and Stimpy show in the early 90’s. I did have a chance to wark on the first three seasons of Ren and Stimpy where you felt that cool, renagade, classic cartoon production feel. Your “What a Cartoon!” gave cartoon makers a chance to make cartoons on a classic “old school” classic style platform; giving them a fresh twist to meet today’s viewer’s demands of new animation. Those cartoon really rock! They’re fresh and undated. You can tell everyone had fun making those cartoons and that’s the way it should be and that’s what it’s all about.
Thank you Fred for making classic cartoon making possible again and for allowing us to give the public what they really want. Cartoons, the good ol’ classic way. It’s not rocket science. It’s having a great time doing the greatest profession in the world! Animation. And as Chuck Jones said to me many times, “We acually get paid to do this!” We’re very lucky and it’s a privilege. This is the way I like to make cartoons. Take care, Fred and we’ll talk soon!
And thanks again for opening the creative cartoon door and continuing your great cartoon tradition of the “Oh Yeah!” cartoon series!
Your Cartoon Pal…..Jeff
On January 16th, 2006 at 12:00 am
We just need the main title/credits music to “What a Cartoon” I love the guitar riff.
Larry & Steve is definately an early Family Guy, voices like Peter and Brian, and mention the name “Stewie’s” great stuff growing up with
On January 20th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Walking around the Hanna Barbera Studios and meeting Mr Hanna and Mr. Barbera while I was involved in “What a Cartoon!” is one of the great memories of my life. Cartoon magic seemed to ooze out of the walls there!
Thank you Fred.