Classic Cartoons Making a Comeback [VIDEOS]
A cartoon classic was revived on the big screen this past weekend. Bringing in more than expected when it opened last weekend, "The Smurfs" tied for the number one spot at the box-office.
Having three kids, I am noticing that a lot of the old cartoons I grew up with are now back on the air via channels like 'Boomerang,' 'The Hub' and 'Cartoon Network.' Shows like "The Transformers," "Jem," "Fraggle Rock," "G.I. Joe," "Tom & Jerry" and "Looney Tunes" are all the rage with my kids even though some of these shows are older than me.
Below is a list of the top ten cartoons that I would like to see on the air again.
- 1
'Inspector Gadget'
September 12, 1983 – February 1, 1986"Inspector Gadget" was my all time favorite cartoon when I was younger. It featured a clumsy, naive police inspector who was sure of himself and his abilities, when in reality we was clueless. His assignments pitted him against the leader of M.A.D., Dr. Claw, yet it was his niece, Penny, and dog, Brain, that always ended up saving the day.
- 2
'Heathcliff'
October 4, 1980 – 1988"Heathcliff" was the second series based on the "Heathcliff" comic strip. The first show based on the comic strip was "Heathcliff and Dingbat," which debuted in 1980. The incredibly talented Mel Blanc, best known for voicing Bugs Bunny and other Warner Bros. cartoons, provided the voice of Heathcliff in both series.
- 3
'Alvin & The Chipmunks'
September 17, 1983 (1983-09-17) – December 1, 1990The 80s series "Alvin & The Chipmunks" was a follow-up to the cartoon that aired from 1961 to 1962. The Chipmunks' adoptive father, songwriter and manager, Dave Seville's patience is tested nearly every day by Alvin. His brothers, Theodore and Simon, usually get mixed up in Alvin's menacing behavior.
- 4
'Woody Woodpecker'
July 7, 1941 - 1972The inhabitants of the forest that Woody Woodpecker lives in have started spreading the word that Woody is crazy, due to all of his screwball antics. After telling him and many others several times, Woody also begins to question his sanity. So he goes to a psychiatrist, a wolf with a Scottish accent, only to find that the doctor may be more cracked than the woodpecker himself.
- 5
'He-Man: And The Masters Of The Universe"
September 5, 1983 – December 8, 1985The show takes place on the fictional planet of Eternia, featuring Prince Adam, the young son of King Randor and Queen Marlena. Whenever Prince Adam uses his Power Sword, holds it aloft and says the magic words "By the Power of Grayskull!" he is transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. He-Man uses his powers to defend Eternia from the evil forces of Skeletor.
- 6
'The Real Ghostbusters'
September 13, 1986 – October 22, 1991Based on the 1984 film, "Ghostbusters," "The Real" was added to the title after a dispute involving another cartoon airing at the time simply called "Ghostbusters." This series continues the adventures of paranormal investigators Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, their secretary Janine Melnitz and their mascot ghost Slimer.
- 7
'Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels'
September 10, 1977 – June 21, 1980"Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels" centers on the mystery-solving adventures of the Teen Angels, Brenda, Dee Dee and Taffy, and their friend Captain Caveman, a prehistoric caveman whom the girls discovered and thawed from a block of ice. The concept and general plot for the show was seen as a parody of Charlie's Angels. Captain Caveman's powers include super-strength, a variety of useful objects hidden inside his fur, and a club that allows him to fly and from which pops out different tools he uses to fight crime. Captain Caveman's voice was also provided by Mel Blanc.
- 8
'Jabberjaw'
September 11, 1976 – September 3, 1978Jabberjaw is a 15-foot talking great white shark. He is a drummer for The Neptunes, a rock group made up of four teenagers, Biff, Shelly, Bubbles and Clamhead, who live in an underwater civilization in the year 2076. Jabberjaw and The Neptunes travel to various underwater cities where they encounter and deal with diabolical villains who want to conquer the undersea world.
- 9
'Dynomutt: Dog Wonder'
September 11, 1976 – October 22, 1977"Dynomutt: Dog Wonder" is about a Batman-esque super hero, the Blue Falcon and his assistant, a bumbling yet generally effective robot dog Dynomutt. Much like Inspector Gadget, Dynomutt could produce a seemingly infinite number of mechanical devices from his body. As with many other animated super-heroes of the era, no origins for the characters were ever provided.
- 10
'Hong Kong Phooey'
September 7, 1974 – December 21, 1974Hong Kong Phooey, is a superhero who uses Chinese martial arts to fight crime. Hong Kong Phooey is the secret alter ego of Penrod "Penry" Pooch, a mild-mannered police station janitor. Hong Kong Phooey/Penry Pooch is also an anthropomorphic dog in a world populated mainly by normal humans.