8 /10 1 Votes8
Voices of Bud AbbottStan Irwin Country of origin United States First episode date 9 September 1967 Number of episodes 39 | 8/10 IMDb Original language(s) English Final episode date 1 June 1968 Number of seasons 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genre Children's programAnimated Directed by William HannaJoseph Barbera Similar These Are the Days, Shake - Rattle - and Roll, Wonder Wheels, The Space Kidettes, Motormouse and Autocat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Abbott and Costello Cartoon Show is an American half-hour animated series of the famous comedy duo that aired in syndication from September 9, 1967 to June 1, 1968. Each of the 39 individual episodes consisted of four five-minute cartoons. The cartoons were created jointly by Hanna-Barbera, RKO General and Jomar Productions between 1965 and 1967. The series was syndicated by Gold Key Entertainment and King World Productions, now Warner Bros. Television Distribution.
Contents
The primary feature of this cartoon series was the fact that Bud Abbott supplied the voice for his own character. Stan Irwin provided the voice of Lou Costello, who had died in 1959. The rest of the voice cast was composed of Hanna-Barbera regulars. The Canadian cartoonist, Lynn Johnston, who is famous for her comic strip, For Better or For Worse, was an uncredited cel colorist.
Production
Abbott and Costello was among the animated programs of the 1960s that were based on the decade's nostalgia craze which animated other comedy teams of the past such as Laurel and Hardy and The New Three Stooges. The show created work for the ill and impoverished Bud Abbott, who provided the voice of his animated character. Lou Costello had died in 1959, and his voice was supplied by nightclub manager Stan Irwin, who was a close friend of the duo.
Voices
Additional voices: Mel Blanc, Don Messick, Hal Smith, John Stephenson, Janet Waldo
Comic book series
A comic book based on the TV show was produced by Charlton Comics. Starting in February 1968, it ran for 22 issues, ending in August 1971.
Reception
Hal Erickson, author of Television Cartoon Shows, An Illustrated Encyclopedia gave the program a negative review, stating that Abbott and Costello episodes were difficult to tell apart. Erickson stated that "virtually every one them features the tubby Costello being pursued by some bugeyed monster or giant sized garden pest" and that "None of the classic verbal exchanges which brought the real Abbott and Costello to fame in the first place are evident."
Home Video releases
An episode of the show was released in May 2013 as part of The Best of Warner Bros.: Hanna Barbera 25 Cartoon Collection DVD set.