Is There Any Merit to Looney Tunes Cartoons Made Between 1965-1969?

The period of Looney Tunes cartoons from 1965 to 1969 is often viewed with skepticism, and it's understandable why. Compared to the golden age of animation and even the creation that followed, these cartoons stand out more for their shortcomings than their strengths.

Decline in Quality

During this era, the animation quality had significantly declined. The sketches were cheaply cut, the plots were rather unoriginal and repetitive, and the music was often pre-recorded filler ("needle drops"). Not only that, but the jokes and gags frequently fell flat. Watching these cartoons feels almost like observing a once-talented artist struggling to make a comeback and failing miserably.

Behind-the-Scenes Changes

Several key changes in the Looney Tunes studio during this time further contributed to the decline in quality. In 1963, the original Warner studio shut down, leading to the firing, quitting, or laying off of many animators, directors, and writers who had created some of the best works in the studio's history. These luminaries were replaced by a new team from Friz Freleng's Depatie-Freleng company, which had become a subcontractor for its former boss, Warner Bros.

The Opening Titles: A Notable Exception

While most of the content from this era fell short of previous standards, the redesigned opening titles stand out as a bright spot. These engaging and flashy sequences managed to captivate the audience with a modern flair that was quite appealing.

Bugs Bunny and Leadership Failures

The iconic character of Bugs Bunny also underwent changes. By 1965, Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs, was demanding additional pay for voicing his character, which Warner Bros. was unwilling to provide. This change in the voice of Bugs Bunny, combined with dwindling creative input from others, only made for a less engaging character.

Studios Embracing Television

The decline in animation quality during this era can also be attributed to the overall transition of studios from theatrical releases to television. Studios like Warner Bros. began to reduce costs across the board and were no longer interested in producing the high-quality, complex animation that had defined their Golden Age. Instead, they sought to recreate the limited animation style popularized by Hanna-Barbera and Jay Ward, without fully grasping the reasons behind its success.

Impact on Future Animations

Despite the poor quality of these specific movies, they did serve as a wake-up call for animation enthusiasts. It became clear that the earlier Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts were far superior and that their quality had enabled them to become cultural institutions, largely due to their continuous presence through television. This era marked a necessary correction in understanding the motives behind the achievements of the studio's earlier, more acclaimed works.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Looney Tunes cartoons from 1965 to 1969 are often criticized for their mediocrity, they should not be entirely dismissed. While their quality falls far short of the Golden Age and later works, they still hold a unique place in the annals of animation history for their engaging opening titles and the realization that the earlier Looney Tunes shorts were indeed masterpieces.