Walking In The Air Again...

Despite downsizing the amount of animation for children in the last dozen-so years, the only time Channel 4 airs animation that is NOT "the Simpsons" is, naturally, during Christmas - where we're treated with repeated airings of Olive the Other Reindeer, Famous Fred, Little Wolf's Book of Badness and, best of all, The Snowman. Undoubtedly one of Raymond Briggs' most timeless stories brought to animation.

But this year, in honour of its 30th anniversary, Channel 4, with Lupus Films, are treating us with a surprising sequel to the original... "and this time, he's got a new friend..."

The Snowman and the Snowdog!

LINKS OF INTEREST: 

Channel 4's programme listing

The Official Snowman Website

Toonhound's The Snowman page
The Snowman on Wiki

Christmas Colours

In case you're curious, there's a reason of sorts behind the green patch here:

Many folks may not realise that, once upon a time, Father Christmas's trademark colour used to be Green. It was only when Coca-Cola and others got involved somewhere in the 30's that a marketing plan of the time saw Saint Nick changed to Red instead. So that's my little nod here.

Least that's what I heard anyway. But this web page from the BBC might help explain things more clearly.

PS: only 24 more shopping days 'till Christmas! =P

Mike Pearse - Early Days at Bash Street

Before the fantastic Football Special (which I may also blog about for the New Year!), Mike Pearse began treading his toes in the Beano by reintroducing the Three Bears. But on a few occasions he appeared to have stepped in for David Sutherland, long-standing artist for the Bash Street Kids. When I first read these, while the characters remained semi-faithful to Sutherland's designs, I knew straight off the bat that the familiar style of humour was vastly different. It felt.....fresh =)

Not sure even most Pearse fans would remember these, but in case you've forgotten, here's a little reminder. I'll tell you this, though: scanning / editing / restoring double-paged comics is not easy!

Published in Issue No.3001, January, 2000:

Published in Issue No.3003, February, 2000

Green Fox

Because foxes are lovely creatures. This one's thinking green ;-)

Mike Pearse - Frightfully Good

If you've already familiarised yourself with Mike Pearse's Halloween story, "A Nightmare on Bash Street", then here's some other selections in the run-up to October 31st - all drawn, once again, by the hilarious chap himself.

The 3 Bears, Ma, Pa and Ted, get more than they bargained for - from Issue No.3004, February 2000 - with Pa's new hobby...

...and then again in Issue No.3020, June 2000 whilst hiding out from Hank.

And just for kicks, here's a Bash St. "Singled Out" strip from Issue No.3319, March 2006.

Kangaritch

This is why Ostriches and Kangaroos oughtn't breed - they'd get dreadful whiplashes in their necks with every bound for one...!

B.C - Another Page out of History

There's no denying at all that Johnny Hart is, was and still is one of the greatest comic strip artists that lived. His surreal comedy and fun drawing style for his comic strip, B.C, just seem to beg to be animated - in particular his Sunday strips, which feel like you're observing the storyboards for a cartoon short. Anyone who could get so much mileage from a prehistoric setting for nearly 50 years must obviously have a very strong gift for humour. From cavemen to various animals, every character in the strip just seem to leap off the page while you're helpless with giggles.

That is why I feel, out of all the comic strips and comic books brought to animation, Johnny Hart's B.C just had it too short. Surviving today from ageing VHS cassettes by two sole specials and a series of commercials, including those for Action Corps. Personally speaking, while they're all fantastic each in their own way, I think The First Thanksgiving truly nailed it in terms of bringing Johnny's characters and wild humour to the small screen - all thanks to, among others, Abe Levitow's streamlined direction and vocal talents from Daws Butler, Don Messick, Bob Holt and Joanie Sommers. A Special Christmas, which focused a tad more on the religious / seasonal aspect, didn't have as much energy as the former but still maintained many of Hart's wit and wisdom.

All the same, going by the care and quality of the above, it was evident that there was still steam in the old stone wheel yet. Rather a shame because I felt there might have been so much more that B.C could have brought to the animation table.

And unlike the endless list of Peanuts Specials and TV Seasons (Sorry Schultz, Sorry Melendez!), Hart - and co-writer Jack Caprio - at least created wholly original material than reusing the same gags strip-from-strip. Just sayin'...



Johnny Hart passed away in 2007, but his characters and legacy live on thanks to grandsons Mason and Mick Mastroianni and Hart's daughter Perri, who also draw Hart's other famous strip "Wizard of Id". Say what you like about their handling of both strips, but they still make me laugh as hard as Johnny ever did. Besides, it still pays to have family or friends who know what to do with someone else's creation than those who don't...

LINKS OF INTEREST

Continue to read B.C and Wizard of Id at John Hart Studios...as well as Mick and Mason's Dogs of C-Kennel!

Jim Henson also took a shot at bringing to life Johnny's Wizard of Id to Muppet-form. Check out the pilot!
Give Dogs of C-Kennel some love, too, by liking their Facebook Page!