Alvin?....Alvin?......ALVIN!!! Oops, Sorry, Wrong Alvin!

From Paramount Pictures in 1961, we bring you "Alvin's Solo Flight," an entry in Paramount's Noveltoons series, featuring Little Lulu.  This cartoon, with animation by Nick Tafuri and Isadore Klein, sceincs by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples, this cartoon, made in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios, was produced and directed by Seymour Kneitel.  Listed as co-producers on the credits were Marjorie Henderson Buell who created Little Lulu and William C. Erskine, who was Marge's licensing agent for Little Lulu.  For five years (1943-48), Marge's Little Lulu was a successful series for then-Famous Studios before it was dropped in favor of the in-house-created Little Audrey.  There ain't no chipmunks or David Sevilles in this one!

WARNING:  Little Lulu is seen topless on the beach. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Time For Some Animated Nonsense

From 1965, we bring you Swify and Shorty starring in "Inferior Decorator."  In this one, after his house falls apart, Swifty then moves into---and takes over---Shorty's house.

Made in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios, with animation by William B. Pattengill, scenics by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples, this cartoon was produced, written, and directed by Howard Post.

Time For Another Paramount Cartoon

From 1964, it's time for "Homer on the Range," an installment of Paramount's Noveltoon series.  This cartoon, made in New York City, was produced, written, and directed by Howard Post with animation by William B. Pattengill, scenics by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples.

Is Harry Happy?

From 1963, it's time for the Modern Madcap cartoon, "Harry Happy."  In this one, his name may be Harry Happy, but Harry isn't always happy. 





This cartoon, produced in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios and released by Paramount Pictures, was directed by studio veteran Seymour Kneitel, with story by Albert Pross and I. Klein, animation by Marty Taras, John Gentilella, and William B. Pattengill, scenics by Anton Loeb, and music by Winston Sharples.

Here's Another One

Here's another 1966 cartoon starring Honey Halfwitch.  In this one, "Throne For A Loss,"Honey and Stanley the Sorcerer encounter a frog who was once a handsome prince. 




This Paramount cartoon, made in New York City, was directed by Shamus Culhane, with story by Howard Post, animation by William B. Pattengill and Martin Taras, scenics by Robert Little and Gil Miret, music by Winston Sharples, and uncredited voice characterizations by Shari Lewis and Bradley Bolke (brother of Dayton Allen and himself voice of Chumley the Walrus on Tennessee Tuxedo).

Can You Stomach Honey Halfwitch?

From 1966, here's Honey Halfwitch starring in "Trick or Cheat."  In this one, Stanley the Sorcerer encounters more problems. 




This cartoon, made in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios, was produced and directed by Howard Post, with story by Heywood (Woody) Kling, animation by Martin Taras, scenics by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples.

Okay, Kids, Time For A Cartoon!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, from 1958, here is the debut installment of Paramount Pictures' Modern Madcap series, "Right Off The Bat," in which a desperate baseball manager, with his team's chances of winning the pennant--and his own job---on the line, was talked into adding  a horse to his roster.

This cartoon was produced in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios.  With story by Carl Meyer and Jack Mercer, animation by Tom Johnson (animation direction) and Frank Endres, scenics by Robert Little, music by Winston Sharples, and uncredited voice characterizations by Jackson Beck, Sid Raymond, and Jack Mercer, this cartoon was directed by Seymour Kneitel.

To The Moon, Kiddo!

Time for a 1961 Paramount Noveltoon, "Cape Kidnaveral, in which a group of kids start their own space program.  



This cartoon, made in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios, with animation by Myron Waldman, story by Carl Meyer and Jack Mercer, scenics by Robert Little, and music by Winston Sharples, was produced and directed by Seymour Kneitel.

Patriotic Popeye

In one of his last theatrical cartoons, from 1957, here's Popeye, starring in "Patriotic Popeye," produced in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios.  In this one, two of the Sailor Man's nephews try to shoot off some fireworks while causing trouble for their uncle.  



This cartoon, with story by Carl Meyer, animation by Tom Johnson (direction) and Frank Endres, scenics by Robert Owen, and music by Winston Sharples, was directed by studio veteran Izzy Sparber.

Cartoon Time, Boys And Girls!

From 1963, it's time for "Harry Happy," produced in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios as part of Paramount's Modern Madcap series.  In this one, Harry Happy acts like a total gentleman when he's away from home.  But once back in the house, Harry turns into a belligerent bastard towards his long-suffering wife.  



This cartoon, with story by Albert Pross and I. Klein, animation by Martin Taras, John Gentilella, and William B. Pattengill, Scenics by Anton Loeb, and music by Winston Sharples, was produced and directed by longtime studio veteran Seymour Kneitel.

A Farewell To Katnip (And Herman Too)

From 1959, here is the last Herman and Katnip theatrical cartoon, "Katnip's Big Day," which was essentially a takeoff on Truth or Consequences. Made by Paramount Cartoon Studios in New York City and directed by Seymour Kneitel, animation by William B. Pattengill and Jack Ehret, sets by Robert Owen, music by Winston Sharples, and uncredited voice charaterizations by Sid Raymond (his last cartoon as the voice of Katnip), Jackson Beck, and Jack Mercer (who filled in for Arnold Stang as the voice of Herman).

 





This cartoon was loaded with excerpts from previous H&K outings, including:

"A Bicep Built For Two" (1955; director: Seymour Kneitel)

"Drinks On The Mouse" (1953; director: Dave Tendlar)

"Cat-Choo" (1951; director: Seymour Kneitel)

"Mousetro Herman" (1956; director: Isidore Sparber)

It was also the last Paramount Cartoon Studios entry made in Technicolor.

Where Are The Blowfish?

From 1958, here's a "Herman and Katnip" cartoon, "Owly To Bed," produced at Paramount Cartoon Studios in New York City.



This cartoon, with story by Carl Meyer, animation by Tom Johnson and William B. Pattengill, sets by John Zago, and music by Winston Sharples, was directed by Seymour Kneitel.

Time For Another Cartoon, Boys and Girls!

Produced in 1960 and released in early 1961, here is The Cat starring in "Cool Cat Blues," produced in New York City by Paramount Cartoon Studios.



This cartoon a takeoff on TV personality Ed Sullivan, was directed by Seymour Kneitel.

Story by Irving Spector

Animation by Irving Spector, Jerry Dvorak, Jack Ehret, and William B. Pattengill

Sets by Robert Owen

Music by Winston Sharples

To me, this was one of Paramount's better early 1960s efforts. The Cat, in this cartoon a private eye who doubles as a jazz pianist, is hired to prevent TV star Ed Solvent from being kidnapped by a rival network.

Cartoon Time, Boys and Girls

Here is a cartoon from Paramount Cartoon Studios, released in 1966, as part of its "Modern Madcap" series, this one featuring the mercifully short-lived character "Quacky Whack" in "Two by Two," a cartoon rejected by a member of Paramount Pictures board of directors as blasphemous. This cartoon, made in New York City, was produced, written, and directed by Howard Post, who soon afterward, lost his job as head of the cartoon studio.

Matty's Funday Funnies

Here is a promo from around 1960 for Matty's Funday Funnies, which aired late Sunday afternoons on ABC.





This show, which was sponsored by Mattel Toys, featured post-1950 Famous/Paramount (sans Popeye) cartoons with Casper the Friendly Ghost, Baby Huey, Little Audrey, Buzzy the Crow, and Herman and Katnip, would be reformulated by 1962 as they old Paramount ("Harveytoon") cartoons were replaced by the animated cartoons of Bob Clampett's Beany and Cecil. The show, for a time entitled Matty's Funnies With Beany And Cevil, soon afterward, would be renamed Beany and Cecil.

Time For A Be-Boppin' Cartoon, Folks

Here is The Cat starring in a 1961 Paramount cartoon entitled "Bopin' Hood."





Produced and directed by Seymour Kneitel and made in New York City.

Filthy, Disgusting

Here is a 1959 cartoon from Paramount Cartoon Studios in New York City entitled "La Petite Parade" produced and directed by Seymour Kneitel (Max Fleischer's son-in-law).







The cartoon, originally released theatrically by Paramount Pictures, was subsequently released to television by the Harvey Company, which refilmed the titles, replacing the Paramount eblem with the Harveytoons logo, this being the case of the 1950-62 Famous-Paramount product, save for Popeye, which was sold separately to television in 1957.

As for Seymour Kneitel, he was a longtime animator with his father-in-law's studio and also worked on stories. Paramount, which beginning in 1927, started distributing the Fleischer brothers' cartoons, took over the studio in 1942. Seymour Kneitel became a director at the studio at that time, remaining with the outfit until his death in 1964.

Personnel:

Direction: Seymour Kneitel

Story: Irv Spector

Animation: Tom Johnson
Nick Tafuri

Scenics: Robert Gentle

Music: Winston Sharples

Voice Characterizations (uncredited):
Alan Swift

Cinematography (uncredited):
Leonard McCormick

Production Manager (uncredited):
Abe Goodman

Technicolor

RCA Sound System

6 Minutes

Released on March 6, 1959 by Paramount Pictures Corporation and produced by Paramount Cartoon Studios