Posted on 12/18/2006 3:37:09 PM PST by Borges
LOS ANGELES - Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesman said. He was 95.
Barbera died of natural causes at his home with his wife Sheila at his side, Warner Bros. spokesman Gary Miereanu said.
With his longtime partner, Bill Hanna, Barbera first found success creating the highly successful Tom and Jerry cartoons. The antics of the battling cat and mouse went on to win seven Academy Awards, more than any other series with the same characters.
The partners, who had first teamed up while working at MGM in the 1930s, then went on to a whole new realm of success in the 1950s with a witty series of animated TV comedies, including "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "Yogi Bear," "Scooby-Doo" and "Huckleberry Hound and Friends."
Their strengths melded perfectly, critic Leonard Maltin wrote in his book "Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons." Barbera brought the comic gags and skilled drawing, while Hanna brought warmth and a keen sense of timing.
"This writing-directing team may hold a record for producing consistently superior cartoons using the same characters year after year - without a break or change in routine," Maltin wrote.
"From the Stone Age to the Space Age and from primetime to Saturday mornings, syndication and cable, the characters he created with his late partner, William Hanna, are not only animated superstars, but also a very beloved part of American pop culture. While he will be missed by his family and friends, Joe will live on through his work," Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer said Monday.
Hanna, who died in 2001, once said he was never a good artist but his partner could "capture mood and expression in a quick sketch better than anyone I've ever known."
The two first teamed cat and mouse in the short "Puss Gets the Boot." It earned an Academy Award nomination, and MGM let the pair keep experimenting until the full-fledged Tom and Jerry characters eventually were born.
Jerry was borrowed for the mostly live-action musical "Anchors Aweigh," dancing with Gene Kelly in a scene that become a screen classic.
After MGM folded its animation department in the mid-1950s, Hanna and Barbera were forced to go into business for themselves. With television's sharply lower budgets, their new cartoons put more stress on verbal wit rather than the detailed - and expensive - action featured in theatrical cartoon.
I own many Hanna Barbera cartoons including the complete Flintstone series (6 seasons), Huckleberry Hound, the Wacky Racers, Johnny Quest and Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Penelope Pitstop and Scooby Doo.
Remember Crazy Squirrel or Barney Bear or Droopey?
They meant Atom Ant.
Yeah. All I remember though is how they referred to each other...
"Hey Snoop!"
"Whatcha got Blab?"
Peter Potumus and Squidly Didly next to top row.
This guy created so many childhood memories for me. God bless you and Godspeed, Mr. Barbera.
Me and my dad love his shows. Ah, truly the age of innocence. RIP Mr. Barbera. Say hi to Mr. Hanna for us.
The Hippo Hurricane Howler!
True, but we know from their earlier stuff what they were capable of. This explains a lot:
"With television's sharply lower budgets, their new cartoons put more stress on verbal wit rather than the detailed - and expensive - action featured in theatrical cartoon."
I nearly dropped $1000 for the cell when I saw it.... as a poor college student. And I did cry....
Yep. There really is stuff that only dolts can love.
Gilgamesh?
You're dangerous.
Thanks! It was fun to see how many of the characters I remembered from 'way back when.' :)
Can you even say that anymore in public?... ;-)
He is sorely missed.
Most modern cartoons suck.
Rest in Peace. I never missed the Flintstones from the very first episode!
I would love for you to tell some of these 'DOLTS' I know in person that did tap there feet to Mr Welk and sang along with Mitch, most are gone now, many were my family and friends, quite a few served in Korea and WW2.
Your sir are an ASS!
He was as wrong as the day is long. To this day, I still laugh at many of their cartoons. Hanna Barbera made many a Saturday morning for this old kid. I turned my son(11) onto these old toons and he loves them. He also loves the Threes Stooges. Clean, slapstick humor.
Besides, it sounds like the reviewer, whose opinion you seem to agree with, wouldn't know childish humor if it bit him on the ass. Cartoons written for kids that adults could find humor in as well is a mark of genius.
Sounds to me like someone doesn't like to laugh and depart from reality for a short while.
RIP o'Grand Masters of Toondom. Thank you for all the years of laughter. You will be missed but your works will live on.
SZ
The villain was Dick Dastardly (with his sidekick dog Muttley)
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