– Jerry Beck
“Happy New Year” Cartoon Researchers!
As previously reported, our Linus The Lionhearted project – restoring the animated series (1964-66 CBS-TV/1966-69 ABC-TV reruns) – has been under way the past few years and is nearing the finish line with the DVD now scheduled for a spring release. As a holiday gift to you, here’s the key art for the cover by cartoonist Jim Engel.
While the series has begun airing weekly on MeTV Toons late Sunday night/early Monday morning) there are a couple of episodes yet to be fully restored due to damaged and missing color elements. (LINUS originally aired in black-and-white only for its first season although black-and-white network 16mm prints for its 5-year run are common as they were supplied to stations who aired the show on a delayed basis.)
This restoration project, sanctioned by series producer Ed Graham, has been a labor of love for animation historians, archivists and collectors such as Mark Kausler, Ron Kurer, Steve Stanchfield and others who have contributed time and materials.
DVD bonuses will include over a dozen “lost” Linus, Rory Raccoon, So-Hi and Company cartoons never seen in reruns plus original extended opening and closing credits, sponsor elements, character commercials, unaired spin-off pilot and featurette with Jerry Beck.
We couldn’t have done this project without the help of numerous fans and collectors – dedicated in helping to preserve this otherwise “lost” series.
Here’s How You Can Help: Should any film collector have either of the following episodes on 16mm, in color, and would be willing to loan the film for the official restoration project, they will receive special credit on the DVD both in print and onscreen in addition to receiving complimentary DVD releases from MPI Home Video – and will be mentioned in an upcoming article, unless anonymity is preferred.
These are the 2 priority episodes needed:
Syndicated Episode 2008 (also ABC Episode A-53 and A-14)
Company wrap-arounds: Linus Submarine
Linus cartoon: The Talking Rock
Sugar Bear: Trick Banjo
Lovable Truly: Flop Flop
So-Hi: Jolly Roger
Syndicated Episode 2018 (also ABC Episode A-71 and A-32)
Company wrap-arounds: Sugar Bear, Linus Says
Linus cartoon: The Gallant Grouse
Rory Raccoon: Circus Stars
Lovable Truly: The Flying Dog Catcher
So-Hi: Miss Muffet & The Spider
Also, if anyone has any CBS prints, black and white or color, please let us know as a couple of elements from those need to be upgraded.
Note: Australian prints are also in circulation with different #s.
In the end, THANK YOU to anyone else who can kindly lend a hand or point us in the direction of anyone who may have film prints.
– Jerry Beck
Steve Stanchfield is an animator, educator and film archivist. He runs Thunderbean Animation, an animation studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has compiled over a dozen archival animation DVD collections devoted to such subjects at Private Snafu, The Little King and the infamous Cubby Bear. Steve is also a professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
I greatly appreciate every update on the Linus DVD set. I hope that good quality colour prints of those two episodes will turn up in due course. In any case, I’ll be ordering the collection as soon as it’s available!
Been enjoying the Linus episodes being shown on MeTV Toons. I’m looking forward to getting this DVD set – I’m hoping those 2 Lost Episodes can be found sooner or later. Good luck!
Jim P. —- Is that great art displayed above (presumably for the DVD packaging) the lively and appealing art of the amazing JIM ENGEL??
Yes it is, Dave!
Thanks, Jerry! I’ve told Jim how much I admire that piece, and he sent me an image of his original artwork – that included a background . . and Billie Bird flapping in mid-air next to Linus!
I will probably buy the DVD just to get Jim’s art, more than for the show! 😄
Please let me know when this goes on sale. Now if they would bring back Post Crispy Critters. Then we can relive our Saturday mornings. Then they can do Quick Draw McGraw too!
How ridiculous is it that Bob McFadden’s name is not listed with those other voice artists on the dvd cover? After all, he played Lovable Truly, Rory Raccoon and So Hi, three of the five main characters.
I know he’s not a well known “celebrity” like Sheldon, Carl and Ruth…but still.
GREAT cover art though.
Hi David,
Due to limited space, not all the key voice artists are listed on the DVD front cover. Bob McFadden, Gerry Matthews (Sugar Bear), Jessie White (Claudius Crow/various) and Paul Frees (various) are all named on the back cover. They are also mentioned and depicted in Jerry Beck’s featurette included on the DVD.
Bob should be listed up front right after Sheldon and Carl. McFadden never got enough credit for all the wonderful voices he concocted for many different cartoon studios. Except for Frees, he did more animated voices than all those others combined.
Hopefully some decent prints show up! I’ll be looking forward to when it’s released. I will likely buy this when it comes out 🙂
One question that’s on my mind regarding this whole thing. For whatever reason if nobody could find the remaining two episodes, will this set still be released nonetheless even if just with those remaining episodes not available on the set?
I tried to clarify that in my Editor’s Note – Post Script above,… the answer is YES. They will be on the DVD one way or another. He’s simply looking for better copies of them.
I`m really looking forward to buying this `Linus` DVD set when it`s released, I used to enjoy watching this great series during 1966 on ATV Midlands Channel 8.
The same Jim Pierson who has overseen DARK SHADOWS and DAN CURTIS PRODUCTIONS for decades?
Yes. Same Jim Pierson.
Does anyone know if The Beagles cartoon will ever come out on dvd?