All you need to know about Rocko's Modern Life

To celebrate the release of Rocko's Modern Life on DVD (which are only available at Amazon.com here and here), as well as the 15th anniversary of the show, here some links to stuff that will show you everything you'd ever want to learn about the show:

Creator Joe Murray's own site's entry on Rocko:
http://www.joemurraystudio.com/tv/rocko.shtml

An interview with Joe Murray:
http://www.title14.com/rocko/contributors/murray.html

A little bit of trivia on the show:
http://www.title14.com/rocko/unknowns/

Joe Murray reveals a stressful event that occured just before Rocko started production:
http://joemurraystudio.com/blog/?p=135

Some more info and links can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocko%27s_Modern_Life

A Gaggle of Gremlins

Here's a slew of articles from Starlog Magazine about about Gremlins 2: The New Batch, starting with one that gives theories on the origins of the Gremlins:




And here's an overview on the film:

Here's an interview with writer Charlie Haas:

An interview with legendary actor Christopher Lee:

And an interview with producer Mike Finnell:

Xtro at 25

A quarter of a century ago, an unusual, low-budget, British horror movie called "Xtro" was released to some minor success. It was one of the early films made (or in this case, partially funded) by New Line Cinema (the studio that produced or distributed such varied films as Pink Flamingos, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Evil Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Critters, Hairspray, the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, the Mask, the Austin Powers series, and the Lord of the Rings films). Attempts were made to ban Xtro during the Video Nasties era in the 1980s, dispite that Xtro had been rated and approved by the British Board of Film Classification.
Two sequels were made, "Xtro II: The Second Encounter" and "Xtro 3: Watch the Skies", neither of which have anything to the original, or each other, except that they all involve some sort of alien creatures and were all directed by Harry Bromley Davenport. Davenport has plans for a fourth Xtro movie in the near future.
To celebrate, here's an article from Fangoria about Xtro and other New Line productions, such as "Alone in the Dark" (not be confused with the video game of the same name and its film adaptations):

As a bonus, here's another Xtro article from Twilight Zone Magazine:

20 years of Who Framed Roger Rabbit

This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most important films in the history of animation, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". To celebrate, here are some articles about this seminal film (all but two are from Starlog), starting with a look at the film's effects:

Here's a review of the film by Harry McCracken in the defunct animation fan magazine Animato:

And here's an article on the making of the film in Newsweek:

And here's an interview with actress Joanna Cassidy, who played Dolores:

And here's and interview with musical composer Alan Silvestri:

Here's an overview of the film:

And finally, here's an interview with director Robert Zemeckis:

Also, check out this article:http://johnpannozzi.blogspot.com/2008/03/censorship-of-who-framed-roger-rabbit.html

A Tribute to Tiny Toon Adventures

In honor of the first official DVD release of Tiny Toon Adventures tomorrow, here's an article that shows a look at that seminal show and some other stuff that may reveal things about the making of Tiny Toons that may not have known before.

And here's another article from that same issue of Comics Scene that concerns director Rich Arons:



Tiny Toons (and Animaniacs) Links:

Article on director Kent Butterworth: http://johnpannozzi.blogspot.com/2008/07/all-about-kent-butterworth.html

An article introducing Tiny Toons: http://jedaniels-adventures.blogspot.com/2006/05/what-should-be-released-on-dvd.html

Interviews with Tiny Toon directors: http://jedaniels-adventures.blogspot.com/2006/05/tiny-toon-directors.html

Entertainment Weekly article on Tiny Toons: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318258,00.html

Part one of an interview with senior producer Tom Ruegger: http://www.platypuscomix.net/people/ruegger2.html

Part two of an interview with senior producer Tom Ruegger: http://www.platypuscomix.net/people/ruegger2.html

Interview with director and animator Jon McClenahan: http://www.platypuscomix.net/people/mcclenahan1.html

Another interview with Johnny Mack: http://wba.toonzone.net/mcclenahan/

Yet ANOTHER interview: http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=9642

Still another interview with Johnny Mack: http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/871/

An article on Tiny Toons, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain and Freakazoid:
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/1120/

An article on Animaniacs: http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/539/

An article on the development of Animaniacs: http://members.cruzio.com/~keeper/anibeg.html
A write-up of the Tiny Toons/Freakazoid panel at Comic-con 2008: http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=25275

Tiny Toons Sheet Music: http://johnpannozzi.blogspot.com/2008/03/tiny-toon-adventures-theme-song-piano.html

Enjoy!

All About Kent Butterworth

Here's an article on animation director Kent Butterworth.

Since this article was published, Kent has directed all 65 episodes of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, and recently an independent animated feature film called "Attila the Ham and the Great Blue Bean". Visit Kent at his blog and his MySpace Page.

Back to the Bakshi

Here some articles on maverick animation director Ralph Bakshi (Fritz the Cat, Coonskin a.k.a. Streetfight, Wizards, the original film version of Lord of the Rings, "Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures", and Cool World), in honor of his new book "Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi" (I'll share a few tantilizing images from that book in a future post). Btw, Ralph will be at the New York Comicon on Friday, April 18 (go to nycomiccon.com for more info).

Here's an indepth interview with Bakshi from a 2005 issue of Film Fanaddict:

Here's an interview with Bakshi from a 1988 issue of Animato in which he discusses Tattertown (which never became a series, only a christmas special was ever made), the second season of Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures, and some other things:

Here's an article from Animation Magazine, also from 1988, which discusses Tattertown:

Here's some production drawing of Bakshi's animated shorts for Cartoon Network, from a 1994 issue of Animato (this issue also had interview with Bakshi, which was reprinted in the book Escape):

Here's a Comics Scene article on Bakshi's unsuccessful (and troubled in production) 1992 film "Cool World", which starred Brad Pitt, Kim Basinger and Gabriel Byrne.

Roger Rabbit copyright controversy

This some pretty shocking news from a 1989 issue of Film Threat. Apparently, an artist named Dna O'Neil created an underground comic strip story featuring a character named Roger Rabbit years before the Roger Rabbit we all know.

The story of Elmo Aardvark, the lost classic cartoon character

Here's a very special post: A three-part article originally published in the great animation magazine Wild Cartoon Kingdom (from Film Threat) in 1993 and 1994 that the chronicles the nearly-forgotten tale of one of animation's earliest star characters: Elmo Aardvark.

Check out Elmo at Snappy Toons.

Nicktoons trivia and poster with all characters

Man, November 2007 was a great time to be a Nicktoons fan. With the video game "Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots" having playable characters from many Nicktoons (including Rocko, Stimpy, G.I.R. and Jenny/XJ9), the book "Not just Cartoons: Nicktoons" (written by my favorite animation historian, Jerry Beck), and Non-Stop Nicktoons Weekend showing the first episode of all Nicktoon series, it was pretty cool, IMHO. From an issue of Nick Mag,here's some trivia about Nicktoons and a poster with characters from ALL the Nicktoon shows (a guide to who's who).

C.H. Greenblatt's life in cartoons

Here's an animated look aty the life of C.H. Greenblatt, creator of "Chowder", writer on "SpongeBob SquarePants" and creator of Fred Fredburger on "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy"

1984 Film Comment article on "Gremlins" and director Joe Dante

Here's an Film Comment article from 1984 about Joe Dante (who as may have guessed, is one of my favorite film directors), who discusses "Piranha", "The Howling", "Twilight Zone: The Movie" and the then-recent "Gremlins".

Tiny Toon Adventures theme song piano sheet music

In honor of Tiny Toon Adventures' long-awaited DVD release, here's the sheet music to the show's theme song, so you can play it on your piano.

early Terminator article

Here's an article on "The Terminator" from 1984. It's probably one of the earliest bits of major publicity that the Terminator series, James Cameron, and Arnold Schwarzenegger ever got.

Star Trek: The Next Generation first look

Here's the first look at the actors of Star Trek: The Next Generation, taken from a 1987 issue of Starlog. It's fun to look back at a time when these actors and actresses were, for the most part, unknowns.

Spider-Man's wedding

Apparently, Marvel celebrated the marriage of Spider-Man (aka Peter Parker) and Mary Jane Watson in style back in 1987.

Snow White's 50th anniversary

Here's an article that celebrated the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's first feature film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".

Censorship of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"

Here's an article on deleted scenes from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"

Jim Henson on "The Muppets take Manhattan"

The Muppet Master himself, Jim Henson, discusses "The Muppets take Manhattan".

Frank Oz on "The Muppets take Manhattan"

Frank Oz discusses "The Muppets take Manhattan". 'Nuff said.

Martin Short on "Innerspace"

Here's an interview with the well-known comic actor Martin Short, in which he discusses his roles as Jack Putter in Joe Dante's vastly underrated film "Innerspace".

Zach Galligan on "Gremlins"

Here's an interview with actor Zach Galligan, in which he discusses his role as Billy Peltzer in "Gremlins".

Gremlins review

Here's a very interesting review of "Gremlins"

Phoebe Cates on "Gremlins"

Here's an interview with actress Phoebe Cates, in which she discusses her role as Kate Beringer in "Gremlins".

Joe Dante and Mike Finnell on "Gremlins"

Here's an article inwhich director Joe Dante and producer Mike Finnell discuss their 1984 blockbuster "Gremlins".

Hoyt Axton on "Gremlins"

Here's an interview with actor and musican Hoyt Axton, inwhich he discusses his role as Rand Peltzer in "Gremlins".

Edward Andrews on "Gremlins', 'Twilight Zone', and "Sixteen Candles"

Here's an interview with veteran character actor Edward Andrews, inwhich discusses his roles as the bank owner in "Gremlins", Grandpa Howard in "Sixteen Candles", and various roles in 'The Twilight Zone', among other things.

Chris Columbus on "Gremlins"

Here's an interview with famed filmmaker Chris Columbus ("Home Alone", the Harry Potter series), inwhich he discusses his first filmatic creation, "Gremlins".

Rick Moranis on "Ghostbusters"

Here's an interview with actor Rick Moranis, inwhich he discusses his performance as Louis Tully in "Ghostbusters".

The special effects of Ghostbusters

Here's an article about the special visual effects in "Ghostbusters".

Ivan Reitman discuss "Ghostbusters"

Here's an interview with Ivan Reitman, director of "Ghostbusters"!

Ernie Hudson, Ghostbuster

Here's an inteview with actor Ernie Hudson, inwhich he talks about his performance as Winston Zeddemore in "Ghostbusters".

Frank Marshall, producer extraordinare

Here's an interview with film producer extraordinare, Frank Marshall ("E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", "Gremlins", the Indiana Jones series, etc.).

Joe Dante on "Explorers"

Here's an interview with director Joe Dante ("Gremlins") where he discusses not only "Gremlins", but his then-recent movie "Explorers".

Eric Luke, writer of Explorers

Here's an interview with Eric Luke, the writer of Joe Dante's "Explorers".

Edward Feldman, producer of Explorers

Here's an interview with Edward Feldman, the producer of Joe Dante's "Explorers".

Clarence Nash obituary

From Starlog magazine, here's an obituary for Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck.

Starlog article on Chuck Jones

Here's an article from Starlog magazine regarding the great animation director Chuck Jones. (on personal note, I'm very interested by the postive mention of Gummi Bears and DuckTales near the end).

Bob Clampett obituary

Here's an obituary in Starlog magazine for the famous cartoon director Bob Clampett. Anyone know the name of the lovely lady in the picture with Bob and Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent?

Article on time paradoxes in Back to the the Future

Here is an article from Starlog Magazine which gives theories on time paradoxes in the first Back to the Future movie.

I also have an article concerning the sequels that I intend to post soon.

And now for something completly different

A Japanese page that appears to be about fat people in Troma movies (warning; partial nudity):
http://ueno.cool.ne.jp/chiro_san/troma.htm

Want Tiny Toons and Freakazoid on DVD? You can help make it happen

Check this out, everyone. WHV has a new survey out regarding which classic cartoons to release on DVD next and the potential titles include Tiny Toon Adventures, Freakazoid, the Zeta Project, the Herculoids and more!

Go to http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB226BDVALT9B

please.

In the comments point out that when the Tiny Toons episode "The Looney Beginning" aired on CBS in prime-time, it had at least 2 scenes that were cut out of all subsequent airings: one where the animator redraws Buster ala "Duck Amuck", and one where Sweetie and Furball audition. Also the episode "Return of Batduck" originally aired as the primere of the Plucky Duck Show, and when it aired in reruns as a regular Tiny Toons episode, bits and pieces were cut out in order to fit in the regular Tiny Toons opening.

Please reply with comments about your entering of the survey,please?

Original theme to Darkwing Duck

Now here's something rare that even some of the most diehard fans of Darkwing Duck may have never seen before: The original theme to Darkwing Duck when it first aired on the Disney Channel in spring of 1991. Enjoy

Toon Vouge magazine

Check Toon Vouge, a magazine straight from Toontown:

Animaniacs episode titles in Japanese

Hey, guys. Animaniacs is airing on Cartoon Network in Japan currently.

You can see their page for the show at http://www.cartoon.co.jp/program/animaniacs/index.html

And here is the list of episodes airing:
http://www.cartoon.co.jp/tv/index.php?tv=tv108&d=20070303

And now, with some help from Babelfish, I'll display the titles of the episodes in Japanese and translate them into English.

1. 誕生！ワーナー・ブラザース＆ワーナー・シスター/他2本

"Birth! Warner brothers & Warner sister/2 other things "

2. スーパースター”ヤッコ・ワーナー”世界かぞえ歌/他2本

"The Super Star 'Yakko Warner" whether world you obtain, song/2 other things"

3. ミケランジェロの秘密/登場！！グッド・フェザーズ

"Michelangelo's secret/Appearance! ! Goodfeathers"

4. 大海賊キャプテン・メル/大女優スラッピーおばさん/他1本

"Great Pirate Captain Mel/Great Actress Aunt Slappy/1 other thing"

5. ハリウッド・スター　はちゃめちゃパーティー

"Hollywood Hachamehacha Party"

6. ワーナー・ブラザース　秘書はゴ・キ・ゲ・ン？！/他1本

"Warner brothers are private secretary Go Ki Ge N?!/1 other thing"

7. ワーナー・ブラザースの大ウケ音楽会/他1本

"Warner brothers' Large Uge Concert/1 other thing"

8. シスターは二度ベルを鳴らす/スキッピーとバンビのママ

"Sister sounds two degree bell/Skippy and Bumbi's mom"

9. ワーナー・ブラザース”賢者はだれじゃ”/他1本

"Warner Brothers are 'wise men'/1 other thing"

10. 王様ヤッコ

"King Yakko"

11. ワーナー・ブラザース”ピカソに描かそ？”/他1本

"Warner brothers 'in Picasso drawing?'/1 other thing

12. ガレージ売ります！？/ウエストサイド・ハトーリー

"Garage for sale! ?/Westside Bird"

If anyone out there knows enough Japanese to improve these translations, please contact me.

hilarious American Dad vs. Family Guy official online fighting game

Title says all.

WARNING: This game contains Family Guy's (and to a lesser extent, American Dad's) brand of politically incorrect humor and cartoon gore (nothing worse than the stuff you see in the Simpsons' Itchy & Scratchy, though).

But that won't bother Family Guy fans, and if you're a fan of Family Guy and/or American Dad and like fighting games, what are you waiting for? Check it out at http://www.americandadvsfamilyguy.com/

Welcome to blog

Welcome to my blog. My name is John Francis Pannozzi. I am a fan of cartoons, particularly Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast,, Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (produced by Ralph Bakshi), Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, SpongeBob SquarePants, Camp Lazlo, Disney's Gargoyles, Dexter's Laboratory, the PowerPuff Girls, Cow & Chicken, Courage the Cowardley Dog, Samurai Jack, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, Real Monsters, Bruce Timm & Paul Dini's DC Comics cartoons (including Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series), Teen Titans, Raw Toonage, What A Cartoon! (a.k.a. World Priemere Toons or Cartoon Cartoon Show), Oh Yeah! Cartoons, Invader Zim, Angry Beavers, Danny Phantom, Earthworm Jim, Duckman and many others. I also love Mystery Science Theater 3000 (or MST3K) and Godzilla.

My favorite films include Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent my Vacation, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie, The TMNT trilogy, Abra-Castrophe, Channel Chasers, The PowerPuff Girls Movie, Muppet films, Monty Python and the quest for the Holy Grail, The Road to Being the strongest, Mask of the Phantom, Subzero, Godzilla and Mothra films, the Heisei Gamera trilogy, Jungle Emperor Leo 1997, The Nightmare before X-Mas, Gremlins 1 and 2, Ghostbusters 1 and 2, Jurassic Park trilogy, Ralph Bakshi's Wizards, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Troll, Troll 2: Trolls a.k.a."Goblin(s)" ('cause it's so bad.:), Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Freddy and Jason movies, Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, Peter Jackson's King Kong, Tim Burton's Batman movies

My favorite directors include Chuck Jones, Isadore "Friz" Freleng, Bob Clampett, Robert McKimson, Fred Bean "Tex" Avery, Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, Dave Flescher, Ralph Bakshi, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, Tim Burton, Craig McCracken, Ishiro Honda, Jun Fukuda, George Lucas, Brad Bird, David Silverman, Wesley "Wes" Archer, Eric Stough, Wes Craven, Ronny Yu, Jim Reardon, and others.

My favorite artists include David Feiss, Ward Kimball, Carl Barks, Ub Iwerks, Osamu Tezuka, Shotaro Ishinomori, Toho's concept artists, The McKimson brothers (Robert, Tom and Charles), John Kricfalusi and the rest of the Spumco design crew (including Jim Smith, Eddie Fitzgerald, Vincent Waller and Katie Rice), Bob Camp, Chris Reccardi, Lynne Naylor-Reccardi, Paul Rudish, Craig McCracken, Matt Groening, Bill Morrison, EvilLunch, Bleedman, NeoSlashDot, Shigeru Miyamoto, Naoto Oshima, Akira Toriyama, Jhonen Vasquez, Butch Hartman, Seth MacFarlene, Otto Messmer, Ralph Bakshi, Louise Zinagrelli, Chris Walas, Rick Baker, Bill Wray, Mark S. O'Hare, Milton Knight, Ken Boyer, and Bruce W. Timm