Don Messick Movies
- 1984
This video contains a septet of animated episodes chronicling the Wild West adventures of sheriff Quick Draw and his buddy Baba Looey. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1984
UPA alumnus Abe Levitow was one of the executive producers for this captivating animated holiday special, based on Johnny Hart's comic strip B.C.. While making a tasty tureen of rock soup for her caveman companions, Fat Broad declares that there's only one way to flavor the soup--and that's to catch a turkey. Well and good, but no one's ever seen a turkey--except the turkey himself, a neurotic but clever critter. As cave dwellers Wiley, Peter, Thor and the rest drive themselves crazy hunting for the elusive bird, B.C. phlegmatically narrates the tale in a voice reminiscent of Jack Benny (courtesy of veteran voiceover specialist Daws Butler. B.C.: The First Thanksgiving originally aired November 19, 1973, on NBC, in tandem with another new cartoon special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Messick
- 1984
The Transformers was one of several syndicated half-hour cartoon series of the 1980s designed to promote a line of toys. In this instance, the playthings, marketed by Hasbro, were tiny robots that could be "transformed" into automotive vehicles, and vice versa. It was not for nothing that the series' theme song boasted that its characters were "more than meets the eye." Basically, the series chronicled the eons-old battle between two branches of the Transformer family: the Autobots, mentored by Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons, headed by Megatron. After battling for centuries on their home planet Zobitron (also known as Cybertron), the two warring factions decided to move their battleground to another world, and in the process crash-landed on a prehistoric Earth. Released from suspended animation in 2005 A.D., the good-guy Autobots (bearing such names as Inferno, Grapple, Red, and Smoke Screen) and the bad-guy Decepticons (numbering among their ranks the likes of Dirge and Thrust) resumed their conflict as though no time had passed at all. The Autobots managed to win several humans over to their side, notably earthlings Spike and Sparkplug, and, when the battle returned to the Autobots' home planet, Marrisa Fairborne of the Earth Defense Command. Although the animation was mediocre, The Transformers boasted excellent writing and story values, thanks to the input of such fantastic-fiction specialists as Donald F. Glut and Marv Wolfman. Also, the writers did a nice job weaving the Hasbro-licensed characters into the action, rather than have them merely show up as walking and talking advertisements. Debuting in daily "strip" syndication in September of 1984, the series remained in active production for three years. After its syndicated run, The Transformers was rebroadcast by cable's Sci-Fi Channel from 1992 to 1997. The series has also spawned a number of sequels, among them Beast Wars, Beast Machines, and several Japanese anime versions of the property, released in the U.S. under such titles as Transformers: Robots in Disguise and Transformers Armada. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Season one of the "cartoon commercial" The Transformers begins with the three-part "More Than Meets the Eye," which explains how the two warring Transformers armies from the planet Cybertron, Optimus Prime's good-guy Autobots and Megatron's bad-guy Decepticons, were placed in suspended animation when they attempted to expand their battle to prehistoric Earth. "Thawing out" in 2005 A.D., the combatants resume their war as if nothing had happened, with the Autobots gaining a bit of an advantage by winning two human earthlings, Spike and Sparkplug, over to their side. A later episode, "Roll for It," introduces another major human ally of the Autobots, computer whiz Chip Chase. Subsequent season-one highlights include the three-part story, "The Ultimate Doom," wherein Megatron enlists the aid of a mad (Do you hear? Mad!) human scientist in attempting to bring Cybertron into Earth's orbit. And "A Plague of Insecticons" introduces a brand-new threat to Autobots and Decepticons alike -- not to mention a fresh new line of Hasbro-licensed Transformer toys! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, (more)
- 1984
Here's lightening-quick Ricochet Rabbit in 13 cartoons from the series. ~ All Movie Guide
Only one of the mythological creatures escapes the evil King Haggard's (voice by Christopher Lee) plan to eliminate all unicorns from the land in Rankin-Bass's (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) sophisticated production of The Last Unicorn. In hopes of rescuing her exiled breed, the last unicorn (voice by Mia Farrow) teams up with the kindly, if bumbling wizard Schmendrick the Magician (voice by Alan Arkin), who accompanies her on the far-reaching and treacherous quest to save her kind. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, (more)
- 1980
When Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo's winter hibernation is disturbed by nearby freeway construction, the two join up with a group of friends to ensure the safety of Jellystone Lodge and celebrate the bears' first Christmas awake. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
The 1979 Rankin/Bass production Jack Frost is a made-for-TV stop motion animation feature. Buddy Hacket narrates the story as the voice of groundhog Pardon-Me-Pete. The spirit of winter, Jack Frost (voice of Robert Morse) falls for a young woman named Elisa (voice of Debra Clinger). He asks Father Winter to make him into a human so he can win her love. However, she is already engaged to the brave knight, Sir Danny. When the villianous King Kubla Kraus (voice of Paul Frees) kidnaps her, Jack has to turn back into his spirit form in order to use his powers to save her. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Morse, Buddy Hackett, (more)
- 1979
Rudolph is again a hero when he comes to the rescue of Baby New Year (otherwise time would stand still!). This animation/puppet combo features the talented voices of Red Skelton and Frank Gorshin. ~ All Movie Guide
J.R.R. Tolkien's classic book about the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his unexpected adventures came to life in this animated, televised adaptation by Rankin-Bass Productions. Enthusiasts of Tolkien's lengthy and more demanding Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as adult readers of The Hobbit, may be disappointed by this somewhat simplified adaptation of the book, though children and first-time readers of Tolkien will appreciate its whimsical introduction to the fictional world of Middle Earth.
As the story goes, "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit...." Bilbo Baggins would much rather relax in his comfy hobbit-hole or take long walks in the Shire than have adventures. After all, "adventures make one late for dinner." Unfortunately, Gandalf the Wizard shows up one day with other plans for Bilbo. Gandalf introduces Bilbo to a rag-tag band of dwarves whose leader, Thorin Oakensheild, asks Bilbo for help in recovering his family's treasure from the fire-breathing dragon Smaug. Bilbo meekly accepts the offer, and soon finds himself on a long journey through Mirkwood forest, to Smaug's dark lair in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, the unlikely band is captured and nearly eaten by trolls, shackled and prodded by goblins, tied-up in webs and hung from trees by giant spiders, and finally imprisoned by the swarthy, distrustful woodland elves of Mirkwood. With keen hobbit-wits and a magic ring he finds in the goblin caves, Bilbo manages to free the band on several occasions and helps them recover their lost inheritance.
Understandably, much detail was omitted from Tolkien's novel to fit this made-for-TV adaptation -- most notably the story of the group's encounter with Beorn the shape shifter, and the somewhat complex issue of the Arkenstone, a legendary gem which Bilbo steals from Smaug's treasure-trove unbeknownst to the dwarves. Rankin-Bass Productions made another foray into Middle Earth several years later with The Return of the King, picking up where animator Ralph Bakshi left his unfinished adaptation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide
As the story goes, "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit...." Bilbo Baggins would much rather relax in his comfy hobbit-hole or take long walks in the Shire than have adventures. After all, "adventures make one late for dinner." Unfortunately, Gandalf the Wizard shows up one day with other plans for Bilbo. Gandalf introduces Bilbo to a rag-tag band of dwarves whose leader, Thorin Oakensheild, asks Bilbo for help in recovering his family's treasure from the fire-breathing dragon Smaug. Bilbo meekly accepts the offer, and soon finds himself on a long journey through Mirkwood forest, to Smaug's dark lair in the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, the unlikely band is captured and nearly eaten by trolls, shackled and prodded by goblins, tied-up in webs and hung from trees by giant spiders, and finally imprisoned by the swarthy, distrustful woodland elves of Mirkwood. With keen hobbit-wits and a magic ring he finds in the goblin caves, Bilbo manages to free the band on several occasions and helps them recover their lost inheritance.
Understandably, much detail was omitted from Tolkien's novel to fit this made-for-TV adaptation -- most notably the story of the group's encounter with Beorn the shape shifter, and the somewhat complex issue of the Arkenstone, a legendary gem which Bilbo steals from Smaug's treasure-trove unbeknownst to the dwarves. Rankin-Bass Productions made another foray into Middle Earth several years later with The Return of the King, picking up where animator Ralph Bakshi left his unfinished adaptation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide
- 1977
In this animated holiday outing, a good-hearted little donkey is the butt of many jokes because of his exceptionally long ears. Despite the constant ribbing, Nestor grows up to perform a very important task on the very first Christmas Eve. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
This animated musical, based on E.B. White's children's book classic, is about a courageous spider who helps save the life of an ill-fated pig. Wilbur is a young pig (voice of Henry Gibson) who's owned by New England farmer Homer Zuckerman (voice of Robert Holt). One day he is sold to a neighbor, where he meets a sheep who warns him that his fate lies in the confines of the slaughterhouse. Wilbur is terrified of this news until he meets Charlotte, a charming spider (voice of Debbie Reynolds), who is determined to save Wilbur from this dire destiny. By weaving words into her web, she convinces the farmer that Wilbur is some sort of prodigious animal too important to kill. The music for Charlotte's Web was written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who wrote the scores for countless Disney movies, including Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Reynolds, Paul Lynde, (more)
- 1972
The premiere episode of the Josie and the Pussycats spinoff has Josie finds Josie and her pals trapped in a NASA space capsule. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1969
Join in the adventures with Penelope as she runs again from the dastardly villains. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1969
- Add The Perils of Penelope Pitstop [Animated TV Series] to QueueAdd The Perils of Penelope Pitstop [Animated TV Series] to top of Queue
This anthology of Hannah-Barbera cartoons contains exciting episodes chronicling the adventures of female race car driver Penelope Pitstop as she attempts to evade the dastardly Sylvester Sneekly. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Another episode featuring the antics of the wild and zany Penelope Pitstop. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1969
Another episode featuring Penelope Pitstop and her nemesis, Sylvester Sneekly. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1967
This animated compilation video is comprised of episodes from several popular Hannah-Barbera cartoons. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1967
This animated compilation video is comprised of episodes from several popular Hannah-Barbera cartoons. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1966
With the help of the Great Gazoo, Fred and Barney enjoy a winning streak at the local dinosaur races. Unfortunately, our heroes' good fortune does not rest well with the local bookies in general--and with a rather nasty character named Big Ed in particular. By the way, the voice of Big Ed is supplied by Henry Corden, who would eventually take over as the voice of Fred Flintstone upon the death of Alan Reed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
A couple of phony miners sucker Fred and Barney into purchasing a fraudulent gold claim. Hoping to get their husband's money back, Wilma and Betty cook up a sting operation whereby they will convince the crooks that the mine is valuable after all. Unfortunately, Fred and Barney fall for their wives' prevaracations as well, and they refuse to sell back the mine at any price! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The local PTA is staging the deathless romantic drama "Romerorock and Julietstone" as a fundraiser. Wilma is to play Julietstone, but she falls ill just before curtain time. With the "help" of The Great Gazoo, the show goes on all the same, with "Romerorock" Fred performing the balcony scene with a leading lady who looks a lot like his pal Barney! The script for this episode was written by George O'Hanlon, best known to Hanna-Barbera fans as the voice of George Jetson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Working stiff Fred thinks his boss Mr. Slate has it easy, spending his day sipping cocktails and attending social affairs while Fred labors away in the stone quarry. The Great Gazoo decides to teach Fred a lesson by allowing him to be the boss for a day, while Mr. Slate ends up in Fred's hard-hat. Once again, Fred has neglected to heed the venerable warning "Be careful what you wish for." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Fred can't stop sneezing, so he goes to the doctor for some allergy pills. The prescription gets mixed up with another package of pills which, when taken, transform Fred into an ape! Only Barney witnesses this metamorphosis, and naturally he can't convince anyone what is happening...until a fateful family outing at the Bedrock Zoo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
