Both Melvin and Morris were also highly successful as live-action performers, in sitcoms and variety shows, before and after the series, with Morris also working as a director and producer. Melvin appeared on "The Phil Silvers Show" and "All In The Family", while Morris was a member of Sid Caesar's 1950s variety show company and a cast member of "The Andy Griffith Show", in addition to a large amount of voice work for Hanna-Barbera and other studios.
Alan Melvin was one of the most versatile performers in Hollywood. His recurring roles, season after season, on the Andy Griffith show helped make him a fixture on American television. He was still working on Archie's Place well into the early 70's post Brady Bunch and his time with HB. Everybody could relate to Alan. He was dependable television in a time of social upheaval and change. You could relax when alan was on TV.
I grew up with the cartoon as did millions of others (of a certain age) and it brought to mind the recent episodic series, Chimp Crazy. When I first heard about the recent series the earworm of Gorilla for Sale came to mind. Great media history research in your article.
I loved Magilla Gorilla when I was a boy! I’m trying to remember what other cartoons appeared on the Magilla Gorilla show. Was it Yippy, Yappy, and Yahooie?
I remember watching Magilla after school every weekday on Milwaukee's Channel 18 in the early 1970s. I think Wally Gator was on those afternoons too. I only had a black and white TV, so I never saw the vibrant colors of these cartoons until 1977, when my family finally got a color set. Then I saw Magilla, Wally Gator, Yogi and Boo Boo, etc. on Saturday mornings on Laff Olympics and Wacky Races!
My husband and I sometimes joke that, "Those were hours we'll never get back", but I know a lot of care and work went into those cartoons. They were a perfect bridge between Sesame Street and live action sitcoms for me.
That’s such a great story. I love that you didn’t see the colours until 1977. I remember our black and white tv and having to turn the dials to get the channel. 🤩
I watched this show as a kid and I was sad when it was gone. It was already reruns at that point- seems to me it was on about the same time as Batfink?
Both Melvin and Morris were also highly successful as live-action performers, in sitcoms and variety shows, before and after the series, with Morris also working as a director and producer. Melvin appeared on "The Phil Silvers Show" and "All In The Family", while Morris was a member of Sid Caesar's 1950s variety show company and a cast member of "The Andy Griffith Show", in addition to a large amount of voice work for Hanna-Barbera and other studios.
Alan Melvin was one of the most versatile performers in Hollywood. His recurring roles, season after season, on the Andy Griffith show helped make him a fixture on American television. He was still working on Archie's Place well into the early 70's post Brady Bunch and his time with HB. Everybody could relate to Alan. He was dependable television in a time of social upheaval and change. You could relax when alan was on TV.
Great article - I love that this cartoon was the first with a fully-orchestrated theme tune, fascinating! Thank you for sharing :)
I love how you unearth animations that have influenced popular culture of their time, even when they are something I have encountered!
This is another one I watched as a kid but have forgotten about!
I grew up with the cartoon as did millions of others (of a certain age) and it brought to mind the recent episodic series, Chimp Crazy. When I first heard about the recent series the earworm of Gorilla for Sale came to mind. Great media history research in your article.
Am so glad it brought back the ear worm and cartoon memories. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
I loved Magilla Gorilla when I was a boy! I’m trying to remember what other cartoons appeared on the Magilla Gorilla show. Was it Yippy, Yappy, and Yahooie?
Never realized Magilla’s voice was Alan Melvin.
Wow, what a memory!
But I was wrong - it was Ricochet Rabbit!
I remember watching Magilla after school every weekday on Milwaukee's Channel 18 in the early 1970s. I think Wally Gator was on those afternoons too. I only had a black and white TV, so I never saw the vibrant colors of these cartoons until 1977, when my family finally got a color set. Then I saw Magilla, Wally Gator, Yogi and Boo Boo, etc. on Saturday mornings on Laff Olympics and Wacky Races!
My husband and I sometimes joke that, "Those were hours we'll never get back", but I know a lot of care and work went into those cartoons. They were a perfect bridge between Sesame Street and live action sitcoms for me.
That’s such a great story. I love that you didn’t see the colours until 1977. I remember our black and white tv and having to turn the dials to get the channel. 🤩
I watched those Magilla reruns in the early ‘80s. Laff-a-Lympics was one of the all time best HB.
I watched this show as a kid and I was sad when it was gone. It was already reruns at that point- seems to me it was on about the same time as Batfink?
Think Batfink was a little later but similar animation style.