Cartoon Alley
Classic animated shorts from the Golden Age, hosted by Ben Mankiewicz.
Cartoon Alley is an American animated children's anthology series that aired on Turner Classic Movies Saturday mornings from 2004 to 2007. Originally broadcast at 11:30 AM ET, it was hosted by Ben Mankiewicz and usually featured three classic animated shorts from the 1930–1950s per episode, all tied to a common theme. Most shorts came from the Golden Age of American animation, with the bulk sourced from Warner Bros., MGM, and Paramount (the latter providing Popeye cartoons, then in Turner's hands). During its first season, the series also included shorts from the Gaumont Film Company. The shorts often appeared uncut and uncensored, though a few utilized cuts for content, and more controversial cartoons like Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt and Half-Pint Pygmy were introduced with a brief warning by Mankiewicz about the ethnic stereotypes being portrayed.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- Starring
- Ben Mankiewicz
- Country
- United States
- Network
- Turner Classic Movies
- First aired
- 5 November 2004
- Last aired
- 27 January 2007
- Episodes
- 47
Facts from the source article.
Background
From November 2004 to September 2005, Cartoon Alley aired just once a month, but after popular demand it became a weekly feature. The series usually did not air in February because of TCM's 31 Days of Oscar programming. It was cancelled in Autumn of 2007. Each episode typically presented three shorts from the 1930–1950s around a common theme, drawing heavily from Warner Bros., MGM, and Paramount.
The first season also featured shorts from the Gaumont Film Company. Many recognizable characters appeared in at least one episode, including Bugs Bunny, Popeye, Porky Pig, Tom and Jerry, Droopy, Screwy Squirrel, Barney Bear, Spike, George and Junior, and less famous ones like Goopy Geer and The Captain and the Kids. The network's logo was only featured briefly, usually during the last short. Directors whose original shorts were featured include Tex Avery, Joseph Barbera, Robert Clampett, Arthur Davis, Earl Duvall, David Hand (Animalland), Max Fleischer, Dave Fleischer, Friz Freleng, William Hanna, Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising, Chuck Jones, Seymour Kneitel, Dick Lundy, Robert McKimson, and Isadore Sparber.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Cartoon Alley are there?
Cartoon Alley has 47 episodes.
When did Cartoon Alley first air?
Cartoon Alley first aired on 5 November 2004.
When did Cartoon Alley end?
Cartoon Alley last aired on 27 January 2007.
More in 2000s American Anthology Television Series
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