Just in time for the holidays, the first-ever Turner Classic Movies “Salute to Hanna-Barbera” and the thousands of people who created an unprecedented entertainment legacy – is set for the first two weeks of December.

For two consecutive Wednesday nights, TCM’s Jacqueline Stewart and Hanna Barbera historian (and Animation Scoop contributor) Greg Ehrbar will present three Hanna-Barbera films, most of them making their TCM debut.

Wednesday, December 3

8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT
HEY THERE, IT’S YOGI BEAR (1964) with the voices of Daws Butler, Don Messick, Julie Bennett, and James Darren (TCM Premiere)

9:45 pm ET / 6:45 pm PT
THE MAN CALLED FLINTSTONE (1966) with the voices of Alan Reed, Mel Blanc, Harvey Korman, Jean Vander Pyl, Paul Frees, and June Foray (TCM Premiere)

11:15 pm ET / 8:15 pm PT
The animated special A CHRISTMAS STORY (1972), with the voices of Paul Winchell, Daws Butler, and Janet Waldo (TCM Premiere)

Following these films will be three MGM classics, all showcasing landmark live action/animated sequences by Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, and their legendary team. First, Ben Mankiewicz presents ANCHORS AWEIGH (1945) with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, featuring the astonishing dance with Kelly and Jerry the mouse. Tom and Jerry then swim with Esther Williams in DANGEROUS WHEN WET (1953), topped off with Kelly’s Fantasia-like INVITATION TO THE DANCE (1956), with its spectacular “Sinbad the Sailor” finale. 

Wednesday, December 10

8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT 
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Live Action/Animated, 1967) with Gene Kelly, Bobby Riha, and the voices of Janet Waldo, Marni Nixon and Ted Cassidy (TCM Premiere)

9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT 
CHARLOTTE’S WEB (1973) with the voices of Debbie Reynolds, Paul Lynde, Agnes Moorehead, Henry Gibson, Pamelyn Ferdin, and Martha Scott (TCM Premiere)

10:45 pm ET / 7:45 pm PT 
THE GATHERING (Live Action, 1977) starring Ed Asner, Maureen Stapleton, Lawrence Pressman, Veronica Hamel, and Gregory Harrison; directed by Randal Kleiser (TCM Premiere)

These are followed by Ben Mankiewicz presenting BAXTER! (Live Action, 1973) starring Patricia Neal, Scott Jacoby, Jean-Pierre Cassel, and Britt Ekland; directed by Lionel Jeffries (TCM Premiere)

This promises to be a fascinating exploration of beloved favorites and lesser-known gems that are just a fraction of the legacy of Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. Please tune in or set your DVR for December 3 and 10. To paraphrase “Templeton” of Charlotte’s Web, “These will be nights to remember!”