DVD Review: Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1

TV Show Info:
Developers: Hanna Barbera
Cast: Mel Blanc, Jean Vander Pyl, Alan Reed, Bea Benaderet, Don Messick, Paul Frees, Daws Butler, Howard Morris, Hal Smith, Doug Young, Arnold Stang, Johnny Carson, George O’Hanlon, Penny Singleton, Janet Waldo, Corinne Orr, Jack Grimes, Tim Matheson, Gary Owens, Ginny Tyler, Allan Melvin and others.
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: Various Dates in the 1960s
DVD Box Set Release Date: May 26, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

Growing up in the 80s meant that a resurgence of 1960s cartoons aired regularly. The reruns were sometimes on Saturday along with other, regular 80s shows. Some also aired right after school let out in the 3:00-5:00 PM block. In particular, I remember watching Looney Tunes, Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw, The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, earlier shows like Huckleberry Hound and later shows like Scooby Doo and The Jetsons.

As an adult, I still watch many of these shows. Thank goodness for Boomerang. Many of the aforementioned shows, from the 60s or otherwise, air on Boomerang on a daily basis. The shows offered in the Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1 Two-Disc set, from Atom Ant to Quick Draw McGraw, are frequently shown on the network. So, if you like Boomerang, you should like what is available in the Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1 set.

While I watch The Flintstones every day, I hadn’t seen the episode in this set in years. Many of these shows weren’t as popular, and some I barely remember or only know by name. Still, if you are a child of the 60s, you’ll have plenty to reminisce about. There is a nice collection of episodes, and a wide variety of shows represented, from Hanna Barbera’s shining era, the 1960s.

I have to say, they don’t make cartoons like this anymore. These cartoons are fun and harmless. Some might point out they aren’t very PC (Fred does say a woman belongs at home in the episode of The Flintstones), but rather than dwell on this fact, depending on the age of your child/children, these cartoons might make excellent history lessons (yes, women in the 1950s were still primarily housewives, kids). Still, I see no harm in the un-PC nature. Frankly, I think we’ve become too PC. I like these old shows, and would recommend them for children (and adults) of nearly any age.

The Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1 Episode Plots
There are a variety of episodes from all the top animated shows of the 1960s. These episodes are spread across two discs. Here is a list of the episodes and a brief synopsis of each.

DISC ONE

“The Tycoon” from Top Cat: Top Cat and his gang are watching a show called “The Wacky Tycoon,” who is going to give the poorest guy in the city a million bucks. Top Cat wishes that this would happen to him, but he has other plans to make a million bucks on his own. He will sell raffle tickets to people throughout the city and the winner gets their money back. With the gang heading out to sell, they have to worry about Office Dibble stopping them in their tracks. When a real millionaire gives Benny a check for $1 Million, Top Cat doesn’t believe it is real. When merchants around town end up schmoozing him, he has no idea why. Of course, the episode ends in typical Top Cat fashion.

“Up & Atom” from Atom Ant/”Precious Jewels” from Precious Pupp/”Woodpecked” from Hillbilly Bears: The first minisode features Atom Ant. When Big Fats Dynamo, a ruthless criminal, escapes from Rebel’s Island with two other prisoners, it is up to Atom Ant to stop the criminal and send him back to the clinker. Of course Big Fats doesn’t realize how powerful Atom Ant really is. In minisode number two, Granny is going to a drive-in movie and is leaving Precious Pupp alone. With a burglar on the loose, it is up to Precious Pupp to defend the house and his owner’s jewels. The third minisode features the Hillbilly Bears. The bears are sleeping when a Woodpecker wakes them with its constant pecking on their house. They decide they have to get rid of the woodpecker. Unfortunately, the woodpecker is smarter than the bears!

“Fe Fi Fo Fun”/”All Riot on the Northern Front”/”The Volunteers from The Peter Potamus Show (w/ Breezly and Sneezly and Yippee, Yappee and Yahooey)”: In the first minisode, Peter Potomus and So-So encounter the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. The giant is after Jack, so he tosses Peter and So-So to the side. They decide to warn Jack, but he doesn’t believe them because he thinks they are after the goose that lays the golden egg. It is up to them to try and save Jack. In minisode two, Breezly and Sneezly are up north and Breezly orders a refrigerator, which is delivered and drops in on him, literally. He decides to plug it in with a long extension cord at Camp Frost-Bite. Of course this has disastrous results. The final minisode has the king sending for three fumbling guards, Yippee, Yappee and Yahooey. The king wants his guards to get into tiptop shape and he’s worried about these three doofus guards.

“Sub Swiper” from Secret Squirrel/”Way Out Squiddly” from Squiddly Diddly/”Prince of a Pup” from Winsome Witch: When a submarine (military weapon) disappears during its launch from a dock, it is up to Secret Squirrel to discover its whereabouts in the very first minisode. Unfortunately, it has been stolen by Captain Ahab, the international submarine thief, who doesn’t make it easy for him. In minisode number two, Squiddly Diddly is upset because he isn’t allowed to watch television. Bored, he wanders out of Bubbleland to greet visitors who are actually aliens. They kidnap Squiddly and take him to their planet where they perform a series of tests on him. With diabolical intentions, it is up to Squiddly to protect the Earth and himself. The final minisode features Winnie Witch, who has to go to the Queen castle. She’s been talking to her mirror and needs Winnie’s help because it tells her Snow White is the fairest of then all. Winnie is hired to get rid of Snow White, who is busy caring for the seven dwarfs.

“The Happy Household” from The Flintstones: Wilma has a bad shopping habit. She fights with Fred constantly because he feels he doesn’t make enough to support her habit. Wilma and Betty decide to get jobs. They are applying for jobs filing and typing at the Bedrock Television Corp. There they are mistaken for girls who are trying out to be on a television show, The Rockenschpeel Show as the Happy Housewife. The only problem is Wilma gets the job and signs the contract for 39 weeks to star on it during dinnertime, much to Fred’s chagrin.

“Often an Orphan”/”Mice Follies”/”The Super Snooper from The Porky Pig Show: When Charlie the dog is tricked into going on a picnic, he is abandoned by his owner. He has no choice, but to find a new master. In this first minisode, he tries to convince Porky to be his new master, but Porky doesn’t want a dog. Of course, Charlie won’t give up easily. In “Mice Follies”, Martin and Ralph are heading home. Along the way, they harass a cat, who follows them home in order to make them pay for what they did. In the final minisode, Daffy is Duck Drake P.I. He is hired to go to the Axehandle estate where weird going-ons are happening. He’s greeted by a beautiful, female duck who is kissing on him while professing her innocence. Of course, its up to Duck Drake to find out the truth.

“Dynamite Fright”/”Outer Space Case”/”Growing Growing Gone” from The Quick Draw McGraw Show (with Snooper & Blabber and Augie Doggie): After Dynamite Kaboom steals some money, the sheriff decides to go after him. When Dynamite informs him he’s blowing up the new dam, the sherriff calls in Quick Draw McGraw and Baba Looey. Snuffles helps them track Dynamite Kaboom so they can stop him, but not without Quick Draw blowing up once or twice. In the second minisode, Snooper and Blabber are hanging out in their office. Blabber receives a book about Mars and Outer Space in the mail. Blabber takes a case on Mars where a monkey stole a ruby (a layor ybur). Its up to them to to stop the monkey. In the final minisode, Augie Doggie is writing his life story. When his pencil breaks, he asks his dad to sharpen it with the carving tool. This leads to a discussion on when he’ll be an adult. Augie decides to run away because his dad said time and the outside world will lead him to grow up.

DISC TWO

“Rosey the Robot” from The Jetsons: This episode introduced audiences to the Jetsons, a futuristic family who depend on machines and robots to do everything for them. When one of the machines malfunctions at home, Jane feels that she needs a new Food a Rack-a-Cycle. Sick of pressing buttons to do housework, she decides to hire a robot maid. Rosey the Robot shows up and makes life very interesting for the Jetsons. In the meantime, George decides to ask his boss, Mr. Spacely for a raise. Instead, Mr. Spacely invites himself for dinner.

“Battle to Save the World” from Marine Boy: When a hole is cut into the S.S. Slosh, a supposedly sinkproof ship, it can only mean trouble. Captain Rex Rancid and his goons have broken into the Slosh to steal the gold that is being transported on board. Marine Boy responds to the calls for help from the ship’s crew, and heads to the scene of the crime, where men in scuba gear are moving the gold into their underground ship. It is up to the Ocean Patrol to figure out what Rancid has done and get the gold back before its too late.

“The Heat Thing”/”The Worm People”/”Zorak” from Space Ghost and Dino Boy: When Jace picks up a strange disturbance over Jupiter he lets Jan know. It is some kind of monster that spews lava and hits Jace’s ship. When Jan loses contact with Jace she calls Space Ghost, who picks her (and Blip) up so they can go after Jace. Unfortunately, the massive lava/fire monster stands in their way of saving him. In part two, Dino Boy and Bronty are playing around when a Pterodactyl snatches up Dino Boy. When he is dropped in the middle of Horror Swamp, he encounters the dreaded Worm People. Surrounded by the Worm People it is up to Bronty and Ugh to save him. In part three, Omegan Prison is under attack. One of the prisoners, Zorak, escapes and head to the Ghost Planet to get revenge on Space Ghost. When Jan and Jace are taken hostage, Zorak will only trade them for Space Ghost’s life.

“The Beaked People”/”The Raiders” from Herculoids: In the first part of the episode, one of the Parrot Men (aka the Beaked People), named Krokaw sends his henchmen off to attack the flying monkey people. He has plans of taking over Amzot. All of this is a trap to capture Zandor of course. Luckily, Dorno and Zok have followed him. It is up to them (and Tara) to save Zandor, so he can stop Krokaw. In the second part of this episode, Sta-Lak captures Tara after landing on Amzot. He plans to steal all of the riches from the planet. Using a death ray, Sta-Lak attacks the Herculoids, so it is up to Zandor, Igoo, and Zok to try and stop this evil villain.

“The Bubbler”/”The Shocking Electric Monster”/”The Spinner” from Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles: The Impossibles are performing in a gig where a teen queen will be crowned in Shish-ka-Bob. The young Shah of Shish-ka-Bob has been bubblenapped by the Bubbler, so The Impossibles turn into their crime-fighting alter egos. When they are placed in a Bubble, they have no choice but to break out and head underwater where The Bubbler has an underwater palace, and where he’s taken the Shah, to save the boy before the evening’s festivities. The second episode slice is at the eerie Island of Ion. When a mad scientist, Dr. Shock, on the island changes his assistant Igor into a massive Electric Monster, there are some definite problems. The monster heads out to rid the world of electricity. Once the world is at a standstill, the scientist can take it over. Professor Conroy and his son, Buzz, call out Frankenstein Jr. to save the day. The third minisode features The Impossibles again. They are performing at a party when their hostess’ tiara is stolen by The Spinner. The Impossibles must retrieve the expensive item and subdue The Spinner.

“Gridiron Gorilla” from The Magilla Gorilla Show (with Punkin Puss and Richochet Rabbit): Magilla Gorilla is hanging out at the pet shop eating bananas (after ensuring he never needs to eat banana mush). When a football coach sees Magilla in the window, he decides he wants to make him his new football player. He takes Magilla and puts him in a uniform. He is playing for the Pennsyltucky Lions, as their new fullback. Magilla does great, and is helping them win, but all of the players are getting injured by him. If the other team wants to win they will have to find out his weakness before all the players are too injured to play. When Punkin Puss is away, Mushmouse tries to sneak into his fridge. Unfortunately, Punkin was stuck in there and isn’t happy Mushmouse stole some cheese. Mushmouse decides to use witchcraft to get Punkin Puss. He puts a spell in the water and when Punkin drinks it, he shrinks down to the size of a mouse. When gold is being sent from Glower Gulch by train, Ricochet Rabbit and Droop-a-Long are hired to accompany the shipment since A-T Sam Jose has threatened to steal it. Ricochet and Droop-a-Long head off to help J.P. Nugget promising to watch the gold, but unfortunately A.T. Sam Jose is already on board, so the two have their work cut out for them.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
There are moments when these cartoons look good and other moments where there age really shows. The full frame aspect ratio allows for a generally clear picture and the colors are as cartoon friendly as you expect a retro cartoon to be. In the good moments, these will really take you back to when cartoons were at their very best. Of course, there are some moments that just do not cut it. Two that easily come to mind are “Fe Fi Fo Fun” and “The Porky Pig Show.” The transfer with “Fe Fi” is just generally poor. The quality is annoying, with large amounts of grain and an abundance of dirt. “Porky Pig” is not much better, with the same issues that are even more intense, making it the worst of all the cartoons, transfer wise, in the bunch. A funny thing worth mentioning is that you can tell that they tried to clean up the cartoons as best they could, but the intros were left untreated. When you watch you will notice that the quality for the intros are often really poor, but that clears up during the cartoon phase.

The audio did not suffer from the same problems that the video seemed to have. While this is equally as old, the transfers allowed for the animated audio that you would expect from these amusing cartoon shorts. I did not notice any problems with the English transfer. In fact, I found it to be lively and supportive of each cartoon. Adults and kids should enjoy the audio with few, if any, issues. Along with the English audio, Portuguese has also been included. Subtitles are available in English for the Hearing Impaired and in Portuguese.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There are quite a few special features available that should delight the average retro cartoon fan. Both discs offer previews for The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: Season One, Volume One, Green Lantern, and Peanuts: 1960′s Collection. Both discs also come with a warning that appears before the menu. This notice informs viewers that some of the cartoons did not hold up in parts, so they will not be in perfect condition. The rest of the bonuses are disc specific and are listed below.

The first disc includes the following:
“Saturday Morning Wake-Up Call” – This feature is actually a television promo that probably aired in the 1960s. It takes a look at many of the various Saturday Morning cartoons that once graced television screens on a regular basis. The cartoons included are Secret Squirrel, Squiddley Diddley, Atom Ant, The Flintstones, Looney Tunes, and Quick Draw McGraw. Upcoming episodes are discussed, which means that these aired long ago when the shows were actively on television.

“The Good, The Bad and the El Kabong” – Cartoon lovers should enjoy this history lesson for Hanna Barbera and the cartoons that they made famous. This featurette is a sounding board for animation experts, producers, writers, and other cartoon experts. The group offers a candid discussion on Hanna Barbera cartoons and how they have always been a powerhouse in the cartoon industry. This is easily one of the most interesting features in this set.

The second disc includes:

“Dough-Nutty” – This bonus features Augie Doggie and includes “El Kabong was Wrong” and “Gem Jam” (featuring Snooper & Blabber) from The Quick Draw McGraw Show. It’s not a bad episode, but I am hesitant to call it a special feature because it could have easily been added in with the rest of the cartoons.

“Saturday Morning Wake-Up Call” – While this bares the same name as one of the features on the first disc, it is a different promo. The general idea remains the same, but this time different cartoons are looked at. On the hot seat this time around are The Jetsons, Marine Boy and the Ocean Patrol, Space Ghost, Dino Boy, Sandor and the Heculoids, and a variety of other shows.

“The Herculoids: First Family of Planet Quasar” – This serves as an analysis of the cartoon. You hear from historians, writers, and other creative forces during this featurette. An in depth look into the show occurs from the fighting styles to how things looked in the show. Perhaps the most interesting portion of this featurette is learning what everyone thought The Herculoids brought to the table as a 1960′s cartoon.

“Monster Rock: The Adventures of Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles” – This is more of a retrospective on this interesting series. Again you hear from the creative types and some cartoon historians. The main thing discussed is the overall purpose of the show. The purpose was rooted in pop culture, with a mix of superheroes and The Impossibles, most easily described as a Beatles style spoof band. The group talks about how the show impacted its generation.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Take a step back in time to a better era when cartoons were simple, fun, and worth watching. Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1 is a great way to introduce new fans to the way cartoons used to be. For old fans, this walk down memory lane is bound to make you giddy with nostalgia fever. Though some of the shows are more obscure and not as popular as, say, The Flintstones, Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s, Vol. 1 is well worth the purchase.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Saturday Morning Cartoons, 1960s, Vol. 1, Warner Bros, Hanna Barbera, Top Cat, Atom Ant, Winsome Witch, Secret Squirrel, Squiddly Diddly, Quick Draw McGraw, The Flintstones, Porky Pig

Written by Dominick Evans – Visit Website
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Dominick is in his late 20s. He lives in Michigan with his life partner, Ashtyn, their 14 year old son Robert, and their Shih-Tzu, Oliver. Dominick is a writer and the head editor for both LI Kids and Literary Illusions. He enjoys composing music and is an aspiring director/screenwriter. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing and watching sports, playing video games, watching movies, and singing.