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Hanna-Barbera History: The Studio That Defined American Animation

Steven Hayes

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Published in Hanna Barbera: A History

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Hanna-Barbera Productions was an American animation studio founded in 1957 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. The studio is best known for its Saturday morning cartoon shows, which included some of the most popular and enduring characters in American animation, such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, and The Smurfs. Hanna-Barbera also produced a number of feature films, including Charlotte's Web, The Land Before Time, and Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.

Hanna-Barbera: A History

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12675 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	596 pages

Hanna-Barbera was founded in Hollywood, California, in 1957. Hanna and Barbera had both worked as animators at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for many years, and they had developed a close working relationship. When MGM closed its animation studio in 1957, Hanna and Barbera decided to start their own company.

Hanna-Barbera's first cartoon show was The Ruff and Reddy Show, which premiered in 1957. The show was a success, and it was soon followed by a number of other popular Hanna-Barbera shows, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo. Hanna-Barbera's cartoons were known for their humor, their colorful animation, and their catchy theme songs.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Hanna-Barbera was the dominant force in American animation. The studio's cartoons were watched by millions of children every week, and they helped to define the childhood of a generation. Hanna-Barbera's cartoons also had a significant impact on American popular culture. The Flintstones, for example, was the first animated sitcom, and it helped to pave the way for other adult-oriented animated shows.

In the 1980s, Hanna-Barbera began to decline. The studio's cartoons were no longer as popular as they had been in the past, and the studio was facing increasing competition from other animation studios. In 1991, Hanna-Barbera was sold to Turner Broadcasting System. Turner continued to produce Hanna-Barbera cartoons for a number of years, but the studio eventually closed its doors in 2001.

Hanna-Barbera's legacy is immense. The studio's cartoons have entertained generations of fans, and they have had a significant impact on American popular culture. Hanna-Barbera's characters are still beloved by fans around the world, and they continue to be a source of inspiration for new generations of animators.

Hanna-Barbera History is the definitive account of the studio that shaped American animation for over half a century. This book tells the complete story of the studio, from its humble beginnings in the 1940s to its rise to dominance in the 1960s and 1970s. Interviews with key figures, including William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, and Fred Silverman, provide a unique insider's perspective on the studio's creative process and business decisions.

Hanna-Barbera History is a must-read for fans of animation and American pop culture.

Hanna-Barbera: A History

5 out of 5