Set The Wayback Machine to 1967 Sherman

WABAC 1967
When I was young we lived so close to my elementary school that most days I could run home at lunchtime.

Yes, I ran... so I could spend every minute possible watching the noon-hour cartoons broadcast on one of the three (yes, THREE!) stations we received on our black and white console television.

I don't recall the lunches my mother lovingly prepared each day... I just remember munching on something while sitting cross-legged on the floor, laughing along with Yogi Bear, Pixie and Dixie (and Jinx the cat), Mighty Mouse, Rocky and Bullwinkle (with Sherman and Mr. Peabody, natch), The Flintstones, Jetsons, Tennessee Tuxedo, Underdog and Quickdraw McGraw. Cartoons were my favorite form of entertainment.

Actually, they still are. Along with the original Bugs Bunny episodes, those shows gave me some of my first artistic inspirations. During class I didn't doodle unicorns, flowers or hearts in my scribblers like the other girls. Nope, my margins were filled with portraits of Quickdraw or Boo Boo.

At one time I really contemplated becoming a cartoonist. I wanted a lightbox, tilted drawing table and tall chair to create magic with. I checked out books at the library on how to animate. I even tried my hand at a few original characters... but as I grew up, my priorities changed and the cartoonist inside me never did emerge as anything more than a silly fantasy.

Quickdraw McGraw
I wish I still had some of those early drawings... I still remember the curve of that horse's snout, the bandana and huge cowboy hat. I drew him so much I could do it from memory.

Little did I know that 40 years later, I would STILL be drawing him, wishing I had followed my dream of being an animator.



Ah well. At least I can still get my fix of some of those old shows watching the new Teletoon Retro station. I don't need 100 cable TV stations; heck, I don't even need THREE anymore. I just turn it on to Teletoon and I'm happy.

TeleToon RetroI only hope one day they expand their repetoire and add Quickdraw, Yogi and more to the lineup; just like it was in 1967.


15 People would rather be commenting:

Ed & Jeanne said...

I saw a huge box set of all the Looney Toon cartoons at Costco the other day. It brought back the same memories. I watched all those too...and Roger Ramjet and Dudley Doright. As my kids watch the newer cartoons I'm amazed at how they only have about 6 original episodes and then proceed to show them over and over 24/7 to the point that even I have seen them all ad-nasium. Somehow part of the allure was the anticipation of getting to watch them; if they were on 24/7 I'd probably get bored after awhile.

Stacey said...

Hey its never too late for a career change right ? ;)

Irene said...

I can't watch cartoons. I overdosed on them when my kids were little and now when I run across one, I change the channel as quickly as possible. It has bad connotations for me.

As a Dutch child, I was not raised on watching cartoons all the time, so I never came into the habit of liking them. When my kids were young, I must have seen every one of them until they made me mad.

I do like to watch Pipi Longstocking.

Tina said...

Hey just wanted to let you know that Quickdraw and lots of other classic cartoons are on Boomerang. We have Direct TV but I do know that some cable channels carry it. You would love this channel!!!

Boatwoman said...

I used to love all the old cartoons, they certainly do not make them like that anymore.
Have a good weekend.
Huggss Jo

Maureen said...

VE: I got my first set of Loony Toons DVDs this past Christmas... I now would like to get more!

Worker Mommy: This is true... look at Grandma Moses; she started painting in her 70s!

Sweet Irene: Isn't that always the way; if you overdo it on something, it can bring back unpleasant memories; luckily for me, I couldn't get enough ;) I have seen Pippi as well! Another European favorite of mine is Asterix and Obelix.

Tina: Unfortunately we don't get Boomerang up here in Canada... I may have to resort to DVDs yet!

Jo: You are so right; even the Bugs Bunny toons are cut down to be more politically correct, a fact that I am sure would rile the creators to see how all their hard work has been butchered!

Curly Glamour Girlie said...

Cartoon Network used to show old school toons. They even used to show something called the "Tex Avery Show" which showcased his wacky animations.

Now the Cartoon Network shows mostly japanamation wackiness and weirdly inappropriate late night animation.

Maureen said...

Ah, yes, Tex Avery was a master... sucks that both Saturday morning and Cartoon Network shows are mostly anime now. Makes the needs for retro toon stations all the greater (for our generation, at least).

Canadian flake said...

lol I did the same thing when I was young...at our school everyone had to go home for lunch..you weren't allowed to stay. We would rush home and watch the flintstones...or the Jetsons....

As we got older, it turned into the Young and the Restless..lol.

Jill said...

I could take or leave cartoons but I sure do have fond memories of running home for lunch! My friend from down the block had the first microwave I ever set eyes on and in fifth and sixth grade we'd go to her house and warm up soup.

Since we were so used to running home we decided it would be a good idea if we also ran home on picture day to brush our hair without telling anyone. That did NOT go over well!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Maureen, first let me thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments to my blog entry about my doggie's passing. I'm happy to report that her lil bro, Reggie, had only minimal difficulties on his first night sleeping without her. I did however sedate him a bit, didn't want him to suffer either. We are all doing good.

But wow, I'm glad to meet you! Totally love your blog! I had to view your fuil profile to be sure...just knew you were near my age by your cartoon mems, oh yeah. Neato, man! LOL Unfortunately, my noon hours were taken up by News at Noon with Al Bell and a young fresh-faced A+ reporter named Dan Rather. That and Campbell's Alphabet vegetable sopup are all I can remember about those days...oh, a balogna sandwich on white bread is starting to appear! Also, potato sticks in the can. Hey, you should join our AARPeas group on 2peas, if you aren't already a member!

Let's keep commenting back and forth on each other's blogs, so I can keep reading yours and one day soon add you to my Friends List - weird, just how I do it. LOL

Cheers from Aimeslee!

toners said...

LOL!! Jamie has recently discovered Tom & Jerry and Hong Kong Phooey....I feel old!

Janet said...

I was not a cartoon fan, but DH can still recite dialog from WAY too many shows. Scary, actually. BUT I LOVED to draw as a kid. Gave it up but still think about it once inawhile. I think it's wonderful that you're still dabbling in it. Ya never know where it could lead...

Bruce Johnson said...

I recall watching all of these, but remember that my father liked some more than I did. Slapstick in the toons really didn't interest me that much. Exotic locals and violence seemed to fascinate me. Roadrunner and Coyote, Johnny Quest, Space Ghost. Yogi Bear and Snagglepuss never did much for me.

Roberta; alias (JulyJeanie) said...

OMG! I read the blog where Sherman went back to 1967, and it was (literally) just like a trip back in time! What a wonderfully witty blog, and such a cute theme. I love it! I have no doubt that someone, somewhere, is sitting back saying to themselves....."Now, why didn't I think of doing something like this"? LOL!

I actually graduated H.S. back in 1967,(I'm 60 years old now!). But I do remember most those cartoons, although I was a teenager, that is NOT to say that I still didn't watch a few Saturday morning cartoons!! It was great entertainment to me! And......then there was always the Saturday afternoon Matinee's too!!

When I got married and had children of my own, some of those older cartoons were still being shown on TV. Anyway, I just wanted to say "Love Ur Blog!!"

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