01.15.
Life Begins For Andy Panda
Life Begins for Andy Panda (originally titled Pygmy Trouble) is a 1939 American short subject cartoon created by Walter Lantz, as the very first Andy Panda film.
Released originally as Pygmy Trouble, the film was retitled in parody of the Andy Hardy film Life Begins for Andy Hardy. The short capitalized on public interest surrounding the United States’ first captive panda, Su Lin, who had been donated to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago three years earlier and whose arrival created a consumer desire for panda-related products. The film was the first Andy Panda film, introducing Andy as a baby. Papa Panda was voiced by Mel Blanc, Mama Panda by Sara Berner, and Andy Panda by Margaret Hill-Talbot. In Andy Panda’s fourth film,Knock Knock Walter Lantz’s more famous character, Woody Woodpecker, was first introduced.
3 Comments01.15.
The Amazing 3
The Amazing 3, known in Japan as W3 or Wonder 3 (ワンダー3 Wandā Surī?), is an Osamu Tezuka manga and a black and white anime series from the 1960s. It involves the adventures of three agents from outer space who are sent to Earth to determine whether the planet, a potential threat to the universe, should be destroyed. The agents (Captain Bokko, Nokko, and Pukko) are originally humanoid in appearance, but upon arrival on Earth they take on the appearances of a rabbit (Bokko), a horse (Nokko), and a duck (Pukko) that they had captured as examples of Earth life forms. While on Earth they travel in a tire-shaped vehicle capable of enormous speeds called the Big Wheel, which can travel on both land and water (and, with modifications, through the air).
The series was first released in manga print format in Japan in 1965, and then spawned a Japanese anime television version, with different stories. This version was then dubbed in English and released in the United States, with a different theme song, as well as different closing and opening elements. The American version was also aired in Australia in 1969, and in Spanish-speaking countries as Los tres espaciales. The Japanese anime version was first released on DVD in 2002, and then a full 10-DVD set in 2005.
The series tackles a number of issues which were surprisingly progressive for an animated cartoon of that period; particularly ecological concerns and poverty.
No Comments01.14.
The Banana Splits
The Banana Splits are four funny animal characters who featured in a late 1960s children’s variety show made for television. The costumed hosts of the show were Fleegle (guitar, vocals), Bingo (drums, vocals), Drooper (bass, vocals) and Snorky (keyboards, effects).
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour was an hour-long, packaged television program that featured both live action and animated segments. The series was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, and ran for 31 episodes on NBC Saturday mornings, from September 7, 1968 to September 5, 1970.
The series costumes and sets were designed by Sid and Marty Krofft and the series’ sponsor was Kellogg’s Cereals. The show was Hanna-Barbera’s initial foray into mixing live action with animation.
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