Rare Treats: Time For Beany (1949)

 Bob Clampett had left Warner Bros., and while the staff at Termite Terrace didn't miss a beat in his absence, Clampett finally had a chance to make a childhood idea come to life.

Time For Beany was a 15 minute nightly puppet show Clampett produced for Paramount that served as a precursor to Beany & Cecil's 1st animated series 13 years later. Clampett came up with the idea of Cecil, the "sea sick serpent", as a youth. Beany was just a typical young boy eager for adventure. Daws Butler was the original voice of Beany, using the same voice he'd later use for Augie Doggie, Elroy Jetson, and Lambsy (It's The Wolf) in later years. Stan Freberg voiced Cecil. However, the two actors left the show after a while, with Jim MacGeorge brought in to fill some of the void.

This item is from the 1st year, with Butler & Freberg.

Time For Beany was the most successful iteration of the franchise, as it lasted six years (1949-55) before signing off. Clampett produced one season's worth of Beany & Cecil for ABC in 1962, and the network kept it around in reruns for an extra five years.

No rating. Just a public service.