Wondertoons

Wondertoons is an American animated comedy series produced by Theodore E. Sullivan Productions (now part of Argosy Pictures since 1979) from 1933 to 1985 during the golden age of western animation. It was known for introducing Gussy Goat, Ginny Goat, David Duck, Franky Frog, Freddy Fox, Harold Horse, Zachary Zebra, Gandy Goose, Quackula the Vampire Duck, Buzzy the Crow, Deputy Dawg, Adelbert Pig, and many other cartoon characters. Influenced by Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies and Warner Bros' Looney Tunes, Theodore E. Sullivan decided to start producing a theatrical cartoon series. Due to the monster success of the shorts, Argosy started a franchise that includes characters that are part of the Wondertoons.

The studio that produced the series is Argosy Animation Studios.

In 1985, Argosy's parent company at the time, MTM Enterprises, announced that Wondertoons would no longer have theatrical short films due to them focusing more on cartoons for television. Wondertoons has since evolved into a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television series, feature films, comic books, music albums, video games, and amusement park rides, as well as serving as one of ArgosyMTM Group's most popular franchises. Many of the characters have made and continue to make cameo appearances in various other television shows, films, and advertisements. The most famous Wondertoons character, Gussy Goat, is regarded as a cultural icon and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Several Wondertoons films are considered among the greatest animated cartoons of all time, and six have won Academy Awards.

Television series

 * The Gussy Goat Show (CBS, 1961-1970)
 * The Gandy/Great Gazoo Show (ABC, 1976-1978)
 * The Gandy Goose Show (CBS, 1982-1986)
 * The New Gandy Goose Show (Kids' WB, 2001-2004)
 * Baby Wondertoons (Treehouse USA, 2003-2008)
 * Gussy Goat's Playhouse (Treehouse USA, 2009-2014)
 * The New Wondertoons Show (MTM Kids, 2011-2015)
 * New Wondertoons (MTM Kids, 2017-present)

Movies

 * The Gussy Goat Movie (1994)
 * Gussy: Goat Detective (1999)
 * Gussy's Wild West Adventure (2002; first Gussy Goat film to be co-produced by Alliance Atlantis)
 * Gussy's Dinosaur Movie (2005)
 * Gussy Goat's Big City Adventure (2012; last Gussy Goat film to be co-produced by Alliance; also first Gussy Goat film to be co-produced by Entertainment One)

Criticism
A handful of Wondertoons shorts are no longer aired on American television, nor are they available for sale by Argosy, because of racial and ethnic stereotypes of black people, American Indians, Asians such as the Japanese (especially during World War II), Chinese, Germans, Italians and Mexicans. Eleven cartoons were withdrawn from distribution in 1968 that prominently featured stereotypical black characters.

Trivia

 * While not as popular as Disney's Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies or Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, Wondertoons still is considered pretty popular.
 * Unlike the tamer Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies and more in line with Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, Universal's Woody Woodpecker and Hanna-Barbera's Tom and Jerry, most of its shorts are notable for featuring a zanier, darker and sadistic style of humor.
 * The theme song of the series is “Alabama Jubilee”.