I feel the studio to be unfairly maligned, at least if one takes the studio's earlier product (in my mind, the absolute cutoff is the 1969 debut of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You) into consideration.
The actual writing of the cartoons can be hit-or-miss, and the animation is severely limited, but the character designs (the most iconic of which were Ed Benedict's work) and backgrounds are quite stunning. My favorite of their old characters is Quick Draw McGraw; his cartoons were mostly written by Warner Bros. alumnus Michael Maltese and he brought the same Looney Tunes mojo to them. It probably helps that Quick Draw-Baba Looey is a pretty similar dynamic to Daffy-Porky.
I also still enjoy early Hanna-Barbera. Johnny Quest, The Flintstones, Top Cat, and pre-80's The Jetsons hold up surprisingly well, and I've always been fond of their Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, and Tom & Jerry cartoons.
I'm a bit of an HB apologist, although I'm quick to call out some of their weaker points, especially when their work started to deteriorate. But I sincerely consider the Huckleberry Hound and Quick Draw McGraw shows to contain some of the best deconstruction in animation. They're also pretty easy on the eyes if you can forgive the lack of Disney-esq fluidity. The character designs and backgrounds on a lot of their earlier shorts are something I always come back to.
Of course, a lot of their earlier work had top men from MGM and Warner's studios, so it's not really a surprise that there is quality to find. Even Michael Maltese handed in some strong writing to The Flintstones.
Quote from: Cartoon X on August 09, 2014, 08:49:02 PM
I also still enjoy early Hanna-Barbera. Johnny Quest, The Flintstones, Top Cat, and pre-80's The Jetsons hold up surprisingly well, and I've always been fond of their Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, and Tom & Jerry cartoons.
That's pretty much the HB stuff I enjoy.
I really don't think they're all that terrible of a studio, they just became really lazy later on.
Speaking of HB, I actually just got the original Jonny Quest set for a really good price. That's going to be my thing for a while now, I'll assume.
I'm not sure whether this thread should be here or in Cartoon Network (since Turner owns the library and it runs on Boomerang), but since it's in Warner Bros...
I wish WBA would better utilize more of the H-B characters. They do Tom & Jerry and Scooby-Doo... That's it.
Warner licenses out the HB characters, so this thread is fine here. If you wanted to make a general Boomerang thread though (and with the current reboot happening, that's actually not a bad idea...), I would definitely recommend that it goes to the CN board.
But yeah, Warner could do more with the HB characters. I know they have those Flintstones movies, the theatrical one and the WWE DTV, coming out, so that'a step forward. Since MacFarlane left the TV reboot, maybe they can try another show instead. I mean, even if you're not an HB fan, you have to admit that there's more Warner can do than just make Scooby, Tom & Jerry, and Looney Tunes reboots.
Quote from: Daikun on August 11, 2014, 02:55:30 PM
I'm not sure whether this thread should be here or in Cartoon Network (since Turner owns the library and it runs on Boomerang), but since it's in Warner Bros...
I wish WBA would better utilize more of the H-B characters. They do Tom & Jerry and Scooby-Doo... That's it.
Aparrently, we're getting a Flintstones/WWE crossover next year cause... let's blame the Rock for comparing John Cena's mutli color shirts to Fruity Pebbles and it becoming a joke that the WWE decided to embrace by having Cena eating Fruity Pebbles on a PPV and even being in a few ads for them. Really, that's my theory as to why it's being a thing.
Quote from: Avaitor on August 11, 2014, 04:52:15 PMBut yeah, Warner could do more with the HB characters. I know they have those Flintstones movies, the theatrical one and the WWE DTV, coming out, so that'a step forward. Since MacFarlane left the TV reboot, maybe they can try another show instead. I mean, even if you're not an HB fan, you have to admit that there's more Warner can do than just make Scooby, Tom & Jerry, and Looney Tunes reboots.
I want to see WBA make a new Space Ghost series. (A superhero one, not a talk show.)
I could go for a new Top Cat show, honestly.
Quote from: Daikun on August 11, 2014, 05:15:07 PM
I want to see WBA make a new Space Ghost series. (A superhero one, not a talk show.)
Quote from: Spark Of Spirit on August 11, 2014, 06:42:44 PM
I could go for a new Top Cat show, honestly.
Ditto.
I just remembered that I still haven't seen that
Top Cat movie that was made a few years back. It probably isn't good...but I might as well check it out, sometime.
I think that Top Cat film might be on Netflix or RedBox or something. I survived Shrek the Musical, so how bad can it be?
I read up on that recently. It got like 11% on RottenTomatoes, IIRC. But apparently it was a huge hit in Mexico, where it was made, so they're already working no a sequel.
Top Cat is one of those things that is WAY bigger outside of the US. It's kind of remembered today, but the show is very popular in Europe and especially in South America and Mexico. In fact, the original Spanish voice of Benny the Ball passed on not too long ago, and I saw a large amount of posts and artwork dedicated to him.
space ghost appearing on batman tbatb was a pretty great surprise.
Quote from: Daikun on August 11, 2014, 05:15:07 PM
Quote from: Avaitor on August 11, 2014, 04:52:15 PMBut yeah, Warner could do more with the HB characters. I know they have those Flintstones movies, the theatrical one and the WWE DTV, coming out, so that'a step forward. Since MacFarlane left the TV reboot, maybe they can try another show instead. I mean, even if you're not an HB fan, you have to admit that there's more Warner can do than just make Scooby, Tom & Jerry, and Looney Tunes reboots.
I want to see WBA make a new Space Ghost series. (A superhero one, not a talk show.)
I'm with you there, brother. Problem is, [adult swim] has ruined SG, Birdman, and others with their satirical treatment. Peter Potamus turns 50 this year, but people will only think of him as a 1-joke character on Harvey Birdman. I'd make sure [as] doesn't get any license to do that again.
Meh, I'd take Coast to Coast and Harvey Birdman over the shows they regularly spoofed any day.
I still like the original HB Space Ghost and Birdman cartoons, but I easily like Harvey Birdman and Coast to Coast better.
That said, I would be very interested in a series that took SG, or most other HB superhero/action characters, back to their roots. But such a series is unlikely to ever come about, as the years pass on and these characters fade into obscurity.
Quote from: hobbyfan on August 13, 2014, 08:16:17 AMI'm with you there, brother. Problem is, [adult swim] has ruined SG, Birdman, and others with their satirical treatment. Peter Potamus turns 50 this year, but people will only think of him as a 1-joke character on Harvey Birdman. I'd make sure [as] doesn't get any license to do that again.
"License?" They're part of Turner and H-B; they own the permanent rights to those characters.
Also, I don't think I'd consider them "ruined." Both the original and modern series are enjoyable in their own ways.
i am sure tons of people would be excited to see a new, serious space ghost. in fact that seems like the kind of show that would get kickstarted in half an hour.
I'm wondering how many people despise Sealab 2021 for "ruining" the sanctity of the original series.
Heh, I remember watching some of the original back when Boomerang on Demand had more than just Scooby and Foster's episodes to watch. It was somehow even more hollow in terms of animation than 2021.
Quote from: Daikun on August 20, 2014, 12:32:26 AM
Quote from: hobbyfan on August 13, 2014, 08:16:17 AMI'm with you there, brother. Problem is, [adult swim] has ruined SG, Birdman, and others with their satirical treatment. Peter Potamus turns 50 this year, but people will only think of him as a 1-joke character on Harvey Birdman. I'd make sure [as] doesn't get any license to do that again.
"License?" They're part of Turner and H-B; they own the permanent rights to those characters.
Also, I don't think I'd consider them "ruined." Both the original and modern series are enjoyable in their own ways.
I think Adult Swim does have to license the characters - Hanna-Barbera still exists on paper and it's owned by Warner Bros., which is a separate division of Time Warner from Turner.
I'm just guessing, going by the byzantine nature of Time Warner's corporate structure and operations.
I'm pretty sure that Hanna-Barbera was usurped into Cartoon Network Studios, while Warner obtains the rights to make use of the characters as they see fit, which they do with merchandising and all of the Scooby shows and movies they make.
The word you're looking for, Avaitor, is absorbed.
Quote from: Avaitor on August 23, 2014, 07:56:22 PM
I'm pretty sure that Hanna-Barbera was usurped into Cartoon Network Studios, while Warner obtains the rights to make use of the characters as they see fit, which they do with merchandising and all of the Scooby shows and movies they make.
The actual operations of H-B ended up being absorbed into Cartoon Network Studios, but as a legal entity, Hanna-Barbera is owned by Warner Bros. See this trademark (http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85451553&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch), where H-B is given WB's address. The same goes for Turner Entertainment. (http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=76445290&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch)
Which does raise the question of how Boomerang can run shows owned by H-B and Turner Entertainment for free, but has to pay WB proper to run shows they own...
This is a little more modern than the expected range for this thread, but apparently, Warner is releasing a set of the animated series Hanna-Barbera made of Dumb and Dumber.
I didn't even know that they made one, but apparently it was among their last shows to not take the Cartoon Network name. And a lot of Dexter/Powerpuff people came from it. Huh.
That's really interesting! I've never heard of it, either. :o
Quote from: Avaitor on January 14, 2015, 07:11:45 PMThis is a little more modern than the expected range for this thread, but apparently, Warner is releasing a set of the animated series Hanna-Barbera made of Dumb and Dumber.
I didn't even know that they made one, but apparently it was among their last shows to not take the Cartoon Network name.
I've seen clips of it. It's as bad as you would think. And it has aired on Boomerang and CN in reruns (it originally aired on ABC).
Interestingly, if you wanna torture yourself, the whole series is on iTunes and Amazon.
Oh god, it's on YouTube. I think I know what I'm doing this weekend.
I actually kind of liked the first movie as a kid, btw. I never bothered with the college prequel, and I had similar disinterest in the sequel. So I'll try this blank from the franchise.
What movie did Jim Carry star in that didn't get an animated adaptation back in the early 90's? The Mask & Ace Ventura got one and I even remember a time where they did a crossover episode between those 2 shows.
Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Season 1 DVD (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Scooby-Scrappy-Doo-Season-1/20722)
Be glad I didn't embed the cover art...
The first season was made with the show's original format still in tact, just with Scrappy fucking things up on top of it. It's not exactly what I'd call good, but it's pretty watchable in hindsight.
The series becomes totally unbearable when they switch to the 3 short format and only have Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy. I think we can all do without those.
So I guess this happened (http://thetwinfactor.com/2015/03/01/2-funny-the-wacky-racers-go-live) a while ago...
You've gotta love the attention to detail in that spot. Not only did the actors look like the characters from the show, but they even got the correct numbers for each car and included the little 'W' oval symbols on each. I'm such a big Wacky Races nerd that I picked up on all that.
My only nitpick was how there were no depictions of the Convert-A-Car with Prof. Pat Pending (#3), the Arkansas Chug-A-Bug with Lazy Luke and Blubber Bear (#8) or the Buzz Wagon with Rufus Roughcut and Sawtooth (#10). I guess those cars might've been too difficult to render in live-action, plus Blubber and Sawtooth would've required more CGI animal animation, which would've been expensive, I guess. Still, it was cool to see.
According to Jerry Beck, we're getting the whole of Atom Ant and Secret Squirrel from Warner Archive.
These shows are no Huck or Quick Draw, but I do think they have their moments. At least it's something.
I figured they'd get around to those as a tide-over (still holding out hope for further Huck and Quick Draw on DVD) release sometime. WB owns the background music and the masters all seem to be intact (as opposed to what remains of the Wally/Touché/Lippy cartoons; on the '60s Saturday Morning Cartoons set that had them, the Wally had seen better days, the Touché looked like it had been run through a washing machine, but somehow the Lippy looked immaculate despite its aged sound).
Speaking of Secret Squirrel, I wish they'd do a 2 Stupid Dogs release. I don't think that show's a great classic, but people like Genndy Tartakovsky and Craig McCracken cut their teeth working on it and it brought the "graphic modern" look back to mainstream animation. It would be a shame if it just sat in the WB vault forever and we had to make do with unofficial circulation.
Quote from: Nameless on March 24, 2015, 05:09:12 AMSpeaking of Secret Squirrel, I wish they'd do a 2 Stupid Dogs release. I don't think that show's a great classic, but people like Genndy Tartakovsky and Craig McCracken cut their teeth working on it and it brought the "graphic modern" look back to mainstream animation. It would be a shame if it just sat in the WB vault forever and we had to make do with unofficial circulation.
Agreed.
It's an old favorite among almost everyone I know, so it would be nice to have an official release of the show.
It doesn't really fit with the classic HB timeline, but I'd sure call 2 Stupid Dogs a great show. And I would be there day 1 for a release.
I can't really find any official press announcement (then again, I've hardly looked for one), but there's talk of a WWE/Jetsons movie happening soon, alongside another one with Scooby.
Hmm, I can't tell which properties Warner wants to see succeed with children more, WWE or Hanna-Barbera's stuff.
Logically, H-B's stuff, because they actually own that.
It just seems like they can't think of any other ways to get the Flintstones or the Jetsons back into the spotlight - they're more tied to their era than, say, Looney Tunes is, the '90s and 2000s generations don't seem to remember them all that fondly, if at all, and the current crop of kids is barely aware of them. They're in a tough spot. I think Yogi and pals have better contemporary prospects, at least narratively, though they seem to have been on the wane since the 1960s.
Some sad news for Hanna-Barbera fans. (http://www.newsfromme.com/2015/05/17/john-stephenson-r-i-p/)
R.I.P, Stephenson. I am happy that he got to live a long life though.
Wow, the original cast for the Flintstones is gone now. That's rough news.
RIP
Word around town is that Warner is working on a DTV for Wacky Races, of all things.
It's... it's something. I'm not a huge fan of Wacky Races anymore, but I'm actually kind of interested. Especially because of this rumored voice cast.
Gregg Berger - Narrator
Mark Hamill - Rufus Ruffcut
Nolan North - Sergeant Blast
Jeff Bennett - Red Max
Jim Cummings - Dick Dastardly, Rock Slag, Gravel Slag, Big Gruesome, Private Meekly, Clyde
Eric Bauza - Peter Perfect, Luke
Russi Taylor - Penelope Pitstop
Billy West - Muttley, Little Gruesome, Professor Pat Pending
I was just thinking about Wacky Races. I'm not a fan of it either but holy shit at that cast!
Like most H-B shows, WR isn't really something that holds up for me much as a show, but the concept and characters and still great and I've been wanting them to do something new with the property for a long time now. So this actually has me pretty excited. I hope something comes of this and it turns out well.
I've found Wacky Races to be pretty boring since I was a kid. Most of my opinions on HB shows never really change over time.
There's still a bit of Michael Maltese's charms in his Wacky Races scripts, but the show feels like C-tier Road Runner shorts for the majority of their running time. That, and the one-joke characters usually aren't holding great jokes behind them.
I do think the concept has potential for something new, though. I was actually kind of interested in that reboot that resurfaced a few years ago, but I don't think that was the right time or vehicle for the franchise. Here's hoping that this is it.
It certainly does have potential. It was kind of a slog to go through in its original format though
Quote from: Avaitor on October 02, 2015, 01:44:58 AMWord around town is that Warner is working on a DTV for Wacky Races, of all things.
Confirmed on this recent promo for CN Australia.
https://vimeo.com/143717699
Cool!
Also, Secret Squirrel is getting a DVD release to follow Atom Ant's (http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Secret-Squirrel-The-Complete-Series/21681). I like Secret a little better, but my opinion is about the same for both series- these just aren't as clever as HB's earlier funny animal cartoons. They're still kind of fun, but far from great.
Now Super Secret Squirrel, those are cartoons that I want to see again.
I liked the Secret Squirrel cartoons from 2 Stupid Dogs more than the original Secret Squirrel cartoons.
2 Stupid Dogs would be a good series to release on DVD.
I remember liking that Secret Squirrel more too.
Wacky Races reboot press release. (http://www.c21media.net/wacky-races-reboot-on-starting-grid/?print=1)
DC Comics is reimagining classic H-B properties. (http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2016/01/28/hanna-barbera-beyond-flintstones-scooby-and-more-are-getting-comic-book-reimaginings)
Titles mentioned:
-Scooby Apocalypse
-Future Quest (crossover featuring all the H-B action heroes)
-Wacky Race Land
-The Flintstones
Check the link for covers.
These look and sound pretty weird, ngl. But the Quest one looks cool.
I'll give that one a go, and I'll keep an eye out for the reception on the others.
Future Quest needs to be animated - NOW.
I can give or take most of them, buuut...
Quote from: gunswordfist on January 28, 2016, 01:13:44 PM
Future Quest needs to be animated - NOW.
Seriously, that one looks awesome.
Reminds me of the Hasbro rumor of combining G.I. Joe, Transformers, and M.A.S.K. (among others) into one big universe. That's a crossover I could get behind.
It's like they don't like money or something. :D Both of those crossover would make all kinds of cash.
I would be very down for a Future Quest series or movie. I'd actually kind of prefer that to be done, and for DC to make a classic Quest-based comic series instead, actually.
The Scooby-Doo one looks like a lame attempt to cash in on the post-apocalyptic/Walking Dead fad, like a weaker Afterlife with Archie. I'd like to be proven wrong, though.
The Wacky Races one has cool designs, coming from Fury Road's designer, but I'm not sure if that's going to really work for it. I'm slightly more interested in the upcoming TV series, personally.
And from what I've gathered about the person involved for The Flintstones, that one is likely to be a respectful update of the original, which I can get behind. But the art leaves a lot to be desired right now.
Wacky Racers sounds like it has potential. As for Flintstones and Scoob...the art makes me want to give them no chance.
Future Quest can really benefit from classic pulps and comics in a way the other comics really can't. Since so much of its style is straight out of that era it can really fit there like a glove. Actually that art pretty much nails it. Especially the one with Jonny, Hadji, and Space Ghost. Pitch perfect. Sort of like Darkwing Duck works because superheroes and comics are so synonymous with each other so are pulpy adventures and comics.
The others just seem like tries to appeal to a certain zeitgeist with Flintstones trying an art style that really rubs me wrong.
Does anyone else find The Jetsons to be boring? The more I think about it, the more I remember me...not having fun viewing the show. I also think George is a lame wimp.
Not anymore boring than most of the rest of the H-B shows.
I'd disagree. Well, I can pretty much only vouch for The Flintstones, anyway.
Quote from: gunswordfist on February 04, 2016, 11:30:37 PMDoes anyone else find The Jetsons to be boring? The more I think about it, the more I remember me...not having fun viewing the show. I also think George is a lame wimp.
Well, it is
The Flintstones in space, so...
To me, the appeal of The Jetsons is in its setting. The characters were all exceedingly bland, except for Astro.
No, neither the Jetsons or Flintstones are boring.
I'm more of a Flintstones and Top Cat fan, but I do like the original Jetsons, as well. I mainly like the dynamic between George and Spacely, and think that Elroy is a likable character. It's not really essential, but there are some pretty good episodes in there.
The backgrounds, especially, are worth another look. Some of HB's finest.
:kabapu: hmmm...Top Cat. That show was kid of just...there for me. Not necessarily bad. I may need to give it another shot. It did have the GOAT cartoon theme in its era.
I'd consider Top Cat to be among H-B's best shows. The characters are certainly better written and more likable than in many of the company's other productions.
(https://40.media.tumblr.com/7cfb805d2c43e666abdda655c16a8fdf/tumblr_ntdgrkStQF1rw31sho1_1280.png)
I was so tickled during that time Choo Choo was a Tumblr meme. I don't see him as much now...
From what I can see, a fair amount of the Choo Choo meme posters became low key Top Cat screencaps blogs, while the rest have kind of went their way.
It really seemed like a meme that not too many people knew what to do with. Which is fine, since it seemed to get some people interested in Top Cat again. And it's a good enough show to warrant rediscovery.
WB is making a new movie called
S.C.O.O.B. (http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/12/scooby-doo-reboot-hanna-barbera-warner-bros) They have interesting plans for it.
QuoteS.C.O.O.B. was described as "our first shot at unlocking the whole Hanna-Barbera Universe," implying that the long-term plan is for the Scooby-Doo reboot to lead into a whole series of linked franchises based on the cartoons of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
:unimpressed:
In theory, a HB universe could work. But most of their shows have always been kind of dry and/or overrated. This probably won't work well.
Meh, this probably won't happen. Most of Warner's plans for theatrical takes of their animated properties fail to make it to screen.
I actually don't think that this is a bad idea, if these have some element of fun and can be a good mix of respect to the original series with a dutiful contemporary take. But lord knows that we don't need a gritty Jabberjaw reboot.
Don't know why this part was left out:
QuoteThe think tank includes LEGO Movie's Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Neighbors director Nicholas Stoller, Focus filmmakers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, and other talented male human beings. First up is September's Storks, a movie about the storks who deliver babies, followed by LEGO Batman next year, and then Smallfoot, a film about a Yeti who thinks (twist!) that humans are real. And there are more LEGO movies – a direct sequel to 2014's film, plus a Ninjago spin-off, which was described as a mash-up of kung fu films and kaiju movies, and which looked like a LEGO version of Pacific Rim, which is an awesome idea no matter what anyone says.
Yes, the guys behind 21/22 Jump Street, The Lego Movie, and Clone High are spearheading this project. Doesn't mean this will get past development hell, but WB have been way too lazy with their Hanna-Barbara library so I hope this goes through. Lord and Miller are just the right guys to adapt shows like Yogi Bear and The Flintstones for modern audiences.
I'm going to go broke over these. (http://www.megomuseum.com/figures-toy-company-reveals-jonny-quest/)
They look great!
RIP Janet Waldo (http://abc7.com/entertainment/voice-of-judy-jetson-janet-waldo-dies-at-age-96/1383083/)
So last year, we lost the entirety of the original Flintstones cast. This year, we've lost The Jetsons. Someone should really check up on Frank Welker, or June!
R.I.P. Janet Waldo. I didn't know both casts are now all passed..
Critics are going crazy over DC's new Flintstones comics. Check out some scanned panels here. (http://www.dorkly.com/post/82072/wiiiiiillllmaaaaaa) This shit is surprisingly dark.
A new theatrical Jetsons movie is in the works. (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jetsons-movie-nabs-sausage-party-director-1007510)
Quote'The Jetsons' Movie Nabs 'Sausage Party' Director (Exclusive)
Ummmm...
Quote from: gunswordfist on May 25, 2017, 08:44:15 PMQuote'The Jetsons' Movie Nabs 'Sausage Party' Director (Exclusive)
Ummmm...
He's done lighter fare before. He directed quite a few DreamWorks movies.
...I straight up assumed it was just one of Seth Rogen's drunken friends.
Now WB wants to make a live-action Jetsons sitcom. (http://tvline.com/2017/06/29/the-jetsons-remake-live-action-tv-series-comedy-reboot)
Wat.
Since WB has now absorbed Turner, WBA will now be making new Hanna-Barbera shorts! :joy:
https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/warner-bros-cartoon-network-hanna-barbera-1203154521
This could be very cool.
I wonder which characters will be used. Huck and Yogi seem like the most likely (especially with the former recently being used as a co-mascot of sorts for Funko). Quick Draw I feel hasn't endured as much as those two, but it would also make sense to add him and Magilla in, as well as maybe Pixie and Dixie, Augie Doggie, Snagglepuss, maybe Peter Potamus?
I remember when What-A-Cartoon was a thing, Joe Barbera made a couple of shorts with Dino in the lead. Maybe that's something to come back to, as well as shorts featuring Astro (+Elroy) and Dastardly and Muttley, with or without the pigeon.
If done well, these could turn out to be more entertaining than most of the original cartoons.
Hanna-Barbera is back!
CN Europe is rebranding as Hanna-Barbera.
https://deadline.com/2021/04/cartoon-network-studios-europe-renamed-as-hanna-barbera-studios-europe-1234729256