Wednesday, December 20, 2006

From the Stone Age to the Space Age ...


From the Flintstones to the Jetsons ... Hanna-Barbera animation created a GALAXY of cartoon stars ... It all started with Tom and Jerry, and expanded to include Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Barney, Dino, Yogi, Boo Boo, Quick Draw McGraw, Snagglepuss, Grape Ape, Hong Kong Fooey and COUNTLESS other characters that danced, crashed, splashed, swam, ran and played across our TV screens through the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's ... and many of the continue to play today ...

And they call came from the creative team of Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera ... It is quite a legacy!

Yesterday at the ripe old age of 95, Joe Barbera passed away ... Though he will be missed and mourned, his legacy is secure.

And to think it all started when he was working as a Banker, and a few of his doodles turned into magazine cartoons, which led him to animation, where he met Bill Hanna ... and together they came up with a cartoon about a cat and mouse ... In time Tom and Jerry were born ... and in time an entertainment empire was founded.

Thanks Joe !! Rest in Peace. Tonight I'll pop on my Hong Kong Fooey Complete Series DVD and raise a toast in your honour !!

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