Coming out on DVD are two separate compilations of old Hanna-Barbera and Looney Tunes cartoons----one set for the 1960s, the other for the 1970s. Given the obscurity/unlikelihood of some of the shows winding up on their own DVD set (Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles, (ping-ping-piiiing) Ricochet Rabbit, and the 1960s "The Porky Pig Show", among others), these sets might well be worth picking up for fans, as well as those who might want to show their kids what cartoons were like back in the day.
Or... *do* they? On the box itself comes this odd warning:
" 'Saturday Morning Cartoons - The 1960s' is intended for the Adult Collector and is Not Suitable For Children."
Hmm... interesting warning, considering the back of the box goes on and on about reliving one's childhood---and even stating "or share them with someone who never imagined you were once a kid" (which would imply one's *own* children). Only possible reasons I can think of for such a warning:
- Ethnic stereotypes. More likely for the "Porky Pig" segments I suspect (given the era the shorts were made), though the Hanna-Barbera ones might have a few Native American ones. Then there's Quick Draw's sidekick, Baba Looey...
- The heavy usage of guns and gunfire in most of these cartoons, which were a staple of theatrical and early television cartoons, especially in "Quick Draw", "Ricochet Rabbit" (a speedy rabbit sheriff with trick bullets), and "Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse" (a constantly feuding hillbilly cat and mouse). Given guns and gunfire have a hard time even being included in some "realistic" action cartoons these days, seeing them in a humorous slapstick context in the era of school shootings is as long-gone from modern kids' cartoons as, well, cartoons about anything other than human children characters going to school/dealing with bullies/etc. (unless they're superheroes, then adult stars are "OK"). Wonder if this is another reason for Looney Tunes' disappearance from Cartoon Network (and from US TV airwaves altogether). Still, I watched all of these cartoons as a kid and don't feel any compunction to join the NRA... and some kids *might* find seeing older cartoons interesting (given the mediocre penetration Boomerang still has).
Anyway, here's a link to the DVD box's artwork:
Site News DVD news: Rear Box Art for Saturday Morning Cartoons - 1960's Volume 1 | TVShowsOnDVD.com
Or... *do* they? On the box itself comes this odd warning:
" 'Saturday Morning Cartoons - The 1960s' is intended for the Adult Collector and is Not Suitable For Children."
Hmm... interesting warning, considering the back of the box goes on and on about reliving one's childhood---and even stating "or share them with someone who never imagined you were once a kid" (which would imply one's *own* children). Only possible reasons I can think of for such a warning:
- Ethnic stereotypes. More likely for the "Porky Pig" segments I suspect (given the era the shorts were made), though the Hanna-Barbera ones might have a few Native American ones. Then there's Quick Draw's sidekick, Baba Looey...
- The heavy usage of guns and gunfire in most of these cartoons, which were a staple of theatrical and early television cartoons, especially in "Quick Draw", "Ricochet Rabbit" (a speedy rabbit sheriff with trick bullets), and "Punkin' Puss and Mushmouse" (a constantly feuding hillbilly cat and mouse). Given guns and gunfire have a hard time even being included in some "realistic" action cartoons these days, seeing them in a humorous slapstick context in the era of school shootings is as long-gone from modern kids' cartoons as, well, cartoons about anything other than human children characters going to school/dealing with bullies/etc. (unless they're superheroes, then adult stars are "OK"). Wonder if this is another reason for Looney Tunes' disappearance from Cartoon Network (and from US TV airwaves altogether). Still, I watched all of these cartoons as a kid and don't feel any compunction to join the NRA... and some kids *might* find seeing older cartoons interesting (given the mediocre penetration Boomerang still has).
Anyway, here's a link to the DVD box's artwork:
Site News DVD news: Rear Box Art for Saturday Morning Cartoons - 1960's Volume 1 | TVShowsOnDVD.com
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