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Quiz about Paramounts Famous Studios and Harveytoons
Quiz about Paramounts Famous Studios and Harveytoons

Paramount's Famous Studios and Harveytoons Quiz


MGM, Disney and Warner Brothers have an extensive cartoon history, but what do you know about Paramount Pictures' contribution to animation? More than you think...

A multiple-choice quiz by Oddball. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
Oddball
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
317,253
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
371
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (5/10), Guest 2 (4/10), Guest 166 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Paramount's 'Famous Studios' actually began with the partnership, then total acquisition, of Dave and Max Fleischer's animation company in 1941. Which of the following characters was NOT included in the takeover? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. One of the first major releases by Famous Studios was in 1945, featuring the story of Casper, a juvenile spirit who wanted to make friends among the human population instead of scare them. One question that has remained through the years centered on how he became a ghost in the first place. What was the official line from the Paramount people? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Famous Studios made a number of cartoons in the 1940s featuring 'Little Lulu', a little girl prone to pull an occasional prank to get her way. The story goes to avoid paying royalty fees to Lulu's creator, Marge Buell, the studio instead created this 'clone' in 1947. What was her name? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This character, created by Martin Taras for Famous Studios in 1950, was often portrayed as simple and naive duckling, but of enormous stature and strength. While slow on the uptake, he would eventually recognize danger with the phrase 'I think you're trying to kill me'. What was his name? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What duo was Famous Studios/Harveytoon's answer to MGM's Tom and Jerry? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Using crows and blackbirds for African-American racial stereotyping was not an uncommon practice in animation, having been done in such films as Disney's 1940 classic film, 'Dumbo'. Famous Studio's version, which debuted in 1947, talked like Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson and sang tunes in the style of Louis 'Sachmo' Armstrong. Who was he? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The eventual pairing of the old 'Tortoise and the Hare' was too much of a challenge to Famous Studios, especially with the success of Warner Brothers' pairing of Cecil Turtle with Bugs Bunny. Paramount created Tommy Tortoise in 1953 and paired him with what rabbit? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. It was in 1959 that Harvey Comics purchased the entire Paramount/Famous Studios cartoon line and repackaged them for television under the name 'Harveytoons'. Do you remember the official mascot for the Harvey cartoons? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In order for Harvey Comics to capitalize on their purchase of Paramount's work, especially Casper, the Friendly Ghost, a new line of characters were created to fit into his little universe. Which of the following was NOT included? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Around the time of Harvey Comic's purchase of the Paramount/Famous Studios cartoons, Richie Rich was considered one of Harvey's top stars, but didn't appear in animated form until 1980. With what character did he make his cartoon debut? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 174: 5/10
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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Paramount's 'Famous Studios' actually began with the partnership, then total acquisition, of Dave and Max Fleischer's animation company in 1941. Which of the following characters was NOT included in the takeover?

Answer: Mickey Mouse

The Fleischer Studios began operating in 1919, though the brothers had been independently making cartoons since 1914. Max Fleischer was also the inventor of the rotoscope, which simplified the animating process for generations to come. The company was suffering financially in the 1930s when Paramount came to the rescue as a partner.

By the time of the takeover, Dave and Max had been feuding to the point they no longer spoke to each other. It was on the strength of characters like Betty Boop (before the Hayes Office undermined her sexy ways), Popeye the Sailor and the Man of Steel that the Fleischers were able to keep up with Mickey Mouse and the Disney Studios as long as they did.
2. One of the first major releases by Famous Studios was in 1945, featuring the story of Casper, a juvenile spirit who wanted to make friends among the human population instead of scare them. One question that has remained through the years centered on how he became a ghost in the first place. What was the official line from the Paramount people?

Answer: He was never a human

While cartoons from 'The Simpsons' to 'Family Guy' have offered their own forensic theories, the official line from Paramount was always that Casper was the son of parents who were already ghosts. Additionally, the 1995 film release of 'Casper' also gave him a last name...McFadden.
'Casper' was originally created as a childrens book in 1939 by author Seymore Reit and artist Joe Oriolo. When Reit entered the military during World War II (and the book was still waiting for a publisher), Oriolo sold the rights to Paramount/Famous Studios, where he periodically worked as an animator.
For most of Casper's run at Paramount, his voice was provided by Cecil H. Roy.
3. Famous Studios made a number of cartoons in the 1940s featuring 'Little Lulu', a little girl prone to pull an occasional prank to get her way. The story goes to avoid paying royalty fees to Lulu's creator, Marge Buell, the studio instead created this 'clone' in 1947. What was her name?

Answer: Little Audrey

'Audrey', who made her debut in 'Santa's Surprise', was drawn dramatically different from the stick-figure Lulu. Despite a number of similarities, most of Audrey's adventures stemmed from the dreamworld, where she would often go to escape reality or rectify a previous harm. Another similarity to note...both Lulu and Audrey were voiced by the same actress, the legendary Mae Questal, who also voiced Betty Boop and Olive Oyl.
'Little Dot', considered by many a dot-obsessed clone of Audrey, made her comic debut for Harvey Comics in 1949 and the behemoth 'Little Lotta' appeared first in 1953.
4. This character, created by Martin Taras for Famous Studios in 1950, was often portrayed as simple and naive duckling, but of enormous stature and strength. While slow on the uptake, he would eventually recognize danger with the phrase 'I think you're trying to kill me'. What was his name?

Answer: Baby Huey

Depending on who you ask, Huey may have been inspired by artist Chuck Jones, who created a unique variation of the 'Three Bears' for Warner Brothers...medium sized parents and a grotesquely huge infant. Huey's family also fit this motif.
Most cartoons would find Baby Huey trying to join in with his similar-aged (but normal-sized friends) to no avail. Then a fox, hungry for a giant duck dinner, would feign friendship until Huey finally caught on. The voice of Baby Huey was provided by Sid Raymond, who also voiced Katnip the Cat.
'Baby Herman' was a character created specifically for the film 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' in 1988.
5. What duo was Famous Studios/Harveytoon's answer to MGM's Tom and Jerry?

Answer: Herman and Katnip

Herman the Mouse actually got the jump on Katnip the Cat by appearing solo in three cartoons from 1944 to '47, when he was finally paired with the slow-thinking cat in 'Naughty But Mice'. Most of the cartoons featured Herman's mouse relatives being brought down and banged up by the nasty cat till Herman shows up to save the day. Unlike Tom and Jerry's pantomime, Herman's New York accented-voice was provided by long-time radio actor Arnold Stang, while Katnip was voiced by Sid Raymond. 'George and Lenny' were the tragic duo in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men', 'Hans and Fritz' made up the Katzenjammer Kids while 'Stan and Ollie' were the first names of legendary film duo Laurel and Hardy.
6. Using crows and blackbirds for African-American racial stereotyping was not an uncommon practice in animation, having been done in such films as Disney's 1940 classic film, 'Dumbo'. Famous Studio's version, which debuted in 1947, talked like Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson and sang tunes in the style of Louis 'Sachmo' Armstrong. Who was he?

Answer: Buzzy the Crow

Because of changing racial perceptions, the practice of stereotyping was in its final stage by the time Buzzy the Crow came on the scene, usually as an ingredient for a 'miracle cure' for one of Katnip's ailments like baldness, insomnia, etc.
Buzzy appeared in only eight cartoons before being 'retired' in 1954. He was originally voiced by Jackson Beck (better known for his voice work as Popeye's nemesis, Bluto), but subsequent releases dubbed over his work for a more 'caucasian' sound.
7. The eventual pairing of the old 'Tortoise and the Hare' was too much of a challenge to Famous Studios, especially with the success of Warner Brothers' pairing of Cecil Turtle with Bugs Bunny. Paramount created Tommy Tortoise in 1953 and paired him with what rabbit?

Answer: Moe Hare

Tommy and Moe made only four cartoons together, but were popular enough to be shown on every official Harveytoons opening along with Casper, Herman & Katnip, Little Audrey, Baby Huey and the other characters. Jackson Beck did the voice of Tommy, while Sid Raymond voiced Moe Hare (a take-off on the term 'mohair').
8. It was in 1959 that Harvey Comics purchased the entire Paramount/Famous Studios cartoon line and repackaged them for television under the name 'Harveytoons'. Do you remember the official mascot for the Harvey cartoons?

Answer: A Jack-in-the-Box

The harlequin jack-in-the-box actually had a name, the unoriginal 'Joker'. The logo was almost a carbon-copy of a very similar character that introduced Paramount's 'Noveltoon' line of cartoons.
The purchase by Harvey gave Paramount's characters a chance to shine not only on the big (or small) screen, but also in comic book form. Harvey Publishing was created in 1941 by Alfred Harvey, who was later joined by brothers Robert and Leon.
9. In order for Harvey Comics to capitalize on their purchase of Paramount's work, especially Casper, the Friendly Ghost, a new line of characters were created to fit into his little universe. Which of the following was NOT included?

Answer: Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness

Along with Wendy, Spooky and Hot-Stuff, Harvey also gave Casper a horse named Nightmare and a girlfriend named Pearl (or 'Poil', using Spooky's Brooklyn accent). Following Casper from Paramount was a trio of mischievous ghosts called the Ghostly Trio (Fatso, Stinky and Stretch), who have been portrayed as Casper's uncles.
10. Around the time of Harvey Comic's purchase of the Paramount/Famous Studios cartoons, Richie Rich was considered one of Harvey's top stars, but didn't appear in animated form until 1980. With what character did he make his cartoon debut?

Answer: Scooby-Doo

Richie Rich first appeared in the early 1950s as a back-up character to 'Little Dot' (the 'Little Audrey' clone with the dot fixation). Harvey Comics' founder, Alfred Harvey, actually claims to have created Richie back in the 1930s, but a claim can also go to long-time artist Warren Kremer, who created the look unique among the Harvey characters (and had a son named Richie as well). The 'Poor Little Rich Kid' finally got his own comic book in 1960 and became part and parcel to more than 50 other titles under the Harvey banner.

He made his animated debut in Hanna-Barbera's 'Richie Rich Show' with the famous sleuthing dog. In 1994, he became the subject of a Warner Brothers live-action movie, with Macaulay Culkin in the lead role.
Source: Author Oddball

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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