December 31st, 2021 
Michael Lyons 
The past year has been another challenging one. However, for animation fans, there was, at times, a fraction of escape with films, TV shows, and short subjects. Additionally, there have been many milestones for movies and TV shows that have been marked throughout the year.
This column has celebrated such anniversaries as the 20th of Shrek, the 75th of Foghorn Leghorn’s debut, the 35th of An American Tail, and the 30th of Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few.But, as they do each year, weeks pass quickly, and not all anniversaries were able to be commemorated…until now.
With one last opportunity to reflect on 2021, here are just some of the many other animated anniversaries that may have been missed:
Mr. Bug Goes to Town (1941) – 80th Anniversary
The Fleischer studio’s second feature film took an anthropomorphic animated look at the insect world, with the main character, Hoppity the grasshopper, who faces off against the villainous C. Bagley Beetle, to win the hand of Honey, the bee, and keep humans from destroying their city.
The film is noteworthy for its creativity in bringing the world to life from an insect point of view (long before Pixar’s A Bug’s Life in 1998), as well as a second attempt by the Fleischer studio (after 1939’s Gulliver’s Travels) to compete with Disney in the feature film arena.
Northwest Hounded Police (1946) – 75th Anniversary
The wondrous work of director Tex Avery always deserves to be celebrated for how his cartoon shorts revel in the ridiculous possibilities that animation affords. Here, Droopy, playing Sgt. McPoodle of the Mounties goes after an escaped prisoner, played by Avery’s stalwart character, the Wolf.
This short involves some of the director’s wittiest puns (the Wolf finds himself in, not Alcatraz, but “Alka-Fizz Prison”) and imaginative sight-gags (at one point, the Wolf runs off the side of the film) that as an audience, we can only marvel at its creativity and laugh, no matter how many times we’ve seen it.
Alice in Wonderland (1951) – 70th Anniversary
Walt Disney’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s books has endured its criticism through the years. Still, there’s no denying its ahead-of-its-time surrealism, outstanding character work, and iconic moments.
Among them: the giddy tea party with Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter and Jerry Colonna as the March Hare; the Cheshire Cat (the devious voice of Sterling Holloway), leaving us with nothing but a smile as he “stands on his head” and the Queen of Hearts bellowing “Off with her head!,” during the dizzying finale.
All of this is now part of Disney’s most unforgettable, classic moments. Alice deserves to be celebrated for her anniversary and her “un-birthday.”
The Yogi Bear Show (1961) – 60th Anniversary
“From the moment he appeared on the television screens as a joint invention of Hanna and Barbera, Yogi Bear struck a resonant chord in viewers with his porkpie hat, his resourcefulness and his indomitably cheery manner.” – Ted Sennett, The Art of Hanna Barbera: Fifty Years of Creativity
Initially, a segment of Hanna-Barbera’s popular Huckleberry Hound Show, Yogi Bear (voiced by legendary Daws Butler in a tribute to Art Carney as Ed Norton on The Honeymooners) would look to steal “pick-a-nick baskets” with his buddy Boo-Boo, while outsmarting the Ranger.
Brought back by the studio time and time again since his debut sixty years ago, from Laff-A-Lympics to Yogi’s Space Race and Yo Yogi, the character remains one of Hanna-Barbera’s iconic symbols and one of TV’s most memorable cartoons.
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) – 55th Anniversary
The first of Disney’s animated adaptations of the beloved A.A. Milne stories of the “silly old bear” and the “Hundred Acre Wood” residents, centered on Pooh’s attempts to get honey from a nearby beehive. With his ongoing efforts and a growing appetite, he finds himself lodged in the entry to Rabbit’s house, in a moment that’s filled with some of the Disney studio’s best comedic animation.
Featuring a cast of perfect voice actors, such as Sterling Holloway as Pooh and Sebastian Cabot as the Narrator, the Sherman Brothers’ endlessly memorable theme song, a lovingly stylized look, and a comforting pace, it’s no wonder that this featurette started a series of beloved films and characters that continue to be embraced today.
Space Ghost (1966) – 55th Anniversary
One of Hanna-Barbera’s most unique offerings. The adventures of an intergalactic superhero brought with it a dynamic look, courtesy of comic book artist Alex Toth and the booming voice of Gary Owens.
The series still stands out amongst many similar TV cartoons, and for an entire generation, the hero’s cry of “Spaaaaace Ghoooost!” meant Saturday morning excitement was on the way.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)– 50th Anniversary
A Disney big-budget, live-action musical fantasy that looked to re-capture Mary Poppins glory is wondrous, in its own right.
Some of this magic comes from an entertaining sequence combining animation and live-action. “The “Beautiful Briny” sea and football game sequence provide some memorable characters and kinetic action. It also seamlessly and hilariously blends the actors with the animation, which, rightfully, brought the film an Oscar for Visual Effects.
A Christmas Carol (1971) – 50th Anniversary
Another Oscar winner. Director Richard Williams’ efficient adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday standard speeds like a moving illustration across the screen. The short not only brings the story of Scrooge to life like no other, but it also includes some of the most jaw-dropping animation ever brought to the screen.
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) – 30th Anniversary
This sequel to Steven Spielberg’s 1986 animated blockbuster quickly faded as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast ruled the box office. But there is a lot to enjoy in this follow-up (the first of only three features from Spielberg’s Amblimation studio) that dares to bring the main character into a different setting, with full animation and a voice performance by none other than James Stewart!
Cars (2006) – 15th Anniversary
Pixar studio’s seventh animated feature has spawned sequels, popular characters and has become such a merchandise boon for Disney that it’s easy to forget just how amazing our first glimpse at the town of Radiator Springs was.
Vibrant character design (inspired by Disney’s classic Suzie, The Little Blue Coupe, and Tex Avery’s One Cab’s Family) and the expected stunning visuals are coupled with a slower-paced story that reflects the film’s central message of learning to take the time to enjoy life.
And now, on to 2022, which is filled with more animated anniversaries and, more importantly, a healthy and Happy New Year for us all!
- An Eye for A Classic: The 60th Anniversary of “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” - December 22, 2022
- A Very Merry Mickey: The 70th Anniversary of “Pluto’s Christmas Tree” - December 19, 2022
- A Fine French Feline Film: The 60th Anniversary of “Gay Pur-ee” - December 12, 2022
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