The Walter Lantz Cartune Encyclopedia: 1949

NOTE: Under his deal with United Artists, Lantz was supposed to receive percentages of box-office receipts to pay for the production costs of his cartoons. Unfortunately, UA attributed a very small portion of the dollar amounts to Lantz's shorts from the features. The result was that Lantz exceeded his standing loan of $250,000 from Bank of America (he had left Irving Trust in 1942). It did not help that UA was, at the time, a struggling studio attempting to reestablish its position in the industry. So, at the recommendation of BAC president Joe Rosenberg, Lantz decided to temporarily shut down his studio until the loan was reduced. He would then ask Universal to reissue his older films during the hiatus, a request that was accepted by Universal President Nate Blumberg. The studio eventually reopened in 1950 but no new Lantz shorts were released that year, only reissues of the United Artists cartoons by Universal and the animated segment for the George Pal film Desination Moon with Woody Woodpecker (see the Miscellaneous Cartunes page for more information on this). Lantz and Universal eventually came to terms and Lantz's studio opened shop again, with seven new cartoons (all featuring Woody Woodpecker) released in 1951. The Lantz studio would continue to run until 1972, when it would close for good.


Scrappy Birthday

Scrappy Birthday

Release Date: 2/11/49
Direction: Dick Lundy
Story: Ben Hardaway and Heck Allen
Animation: Verne Harding and Les Kline
Music: Darrell Calker
Backgrounds: Fred Brunish

Notes:
  • Production Number: UA-12
  • An Andy Panda cartoon
  • The final appearance of Andy Panda
  • The first and only appearance of Andy's girlfriend, Miranda Panda.
  • Title card shown above is the original title. Click here for an image of the title card used when this cartoon was reissued.
    Video availability:
  • Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA)

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    Screen Shots (click to enlarge):




    Drooler's Delight

    Drooler's Delight

    Release Date: 3/25/49
    Direction: Dick Lundy
    Story: Ben Hardaway and Heck Allen
    Animation: Ed Love
    Music: Darrell Calker
    Backgrounds: Fred Brunish

    Notes:
  • Production Number: UA-13
  • A Woody Woodpecker cartoon
  • Last onscreen credits for Dick Lundy and Ed Love at Lantz
  • The final musical score by Darrell Calker. Clarence Wheeler would take over starting in 1951.
  • The final Walter Lantz cartoon released through United Artists.
  • The last time Ben Hardway would provide the voice for Woody. Grace Stafford would begin to voice Woody regularly in 1953 (while providing his laugh in 1951-52 releases).
  • Hidden Gag: For his "Drooler's Delight" ice cream soda, Woody heads down to Walt's Malt Shop, most likely a reference to Lantz himself.
    Video availability:
  • Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection, Vol. 1 (DVD; Universal/MCA)
  • Woody Woodpecker and Friends, Vol. 3 (TV print; DVD; Columbia House)

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    Screen Shots (click to enlarge):



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