At the peak of his popularity, Howdy Doody was set up to star in an animated cartoon for UPA. However, the finished product displeased creator Buffalo Bob Smith to the point where Smith ordered the original negatives destroyed.
"Howdy Doody & His Magic Hat" marked the American debut of writer-director Gene Deitch, better known here for his treatments of Popeye & Tom & Jerry in collaboration with William Snyder. Deitch also worked on some Krazy Kat shorts while working for King Features.
It's easy to see why Smith hated this, as you're about to find out for yourselves. Uploaded by Toontracker.
It does look like an art school project come to life, doesn't it? It was considered lost until discovered at the Library of Congress in 2009.
Rating: D.
2 comments:
In all fairness, Gene would move onto Terrytoons and create Tom Terrific for Bob Keeshan's Captain Kangaroo series.
Ah, yes, of course. That seemed to be more his speed, since he didn't create high art with Tom & Jerry or Popeye.
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