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Noveltoons
The opening card in the 1945 variant.
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
November 26, 1943 – June 1, 1967
Running time
6–10 minutes (one reel)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish (usually)

Noveltoons is a series of animated cartoon short films produced by Paramount Pictures' Famous Studios from 1943 to the end of the studio during 1967.[1] The series originated characters such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Herman and Katnip, Little Audrey, and Baby Huey, all of whom later became stars of Harvey Comics, which purchased the characters in 1959. All shorts from Baby Huey and Little Audrey are included. It was the successor to the series Color Classics produced by Famous’ predecessor Fleischer Studios. Several Noveltoons feature characters which originated in Color Classics, like Spunky or Raggedy Ann. This series was also similar to the two series from Warner Bros., Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, in that it features several recurring characters with one general title.

In 1956, Paramount sold all of the pre-October 1950 Noveltoons (ending with Saved by the Bell) to television distributor U.M. & M. TV Corporation. Shortly afterward, U.M. & M.'s assets were acquired by National Telefilm Associates. In the 1980s, NTA changed its name to Republic Pictures, and after a brief period of ownership by Spelling Entertainment in 1994, was acquired by Paramount's parent company Viacom, which placed the cartoons back in Paramount's control (Republic Pictures has been renamed to Melange Pictures since 2006, which in turn was placed in the revived Republic Pictures subsidiary).

Later in 1962, Paramount sold the post-October 1950 to pre-March 1962 Noveltoons (beginning with The Voice of the Turkey and ending with T.V. or No T.V.) to Harvey Films, which in turn was purchased by Classic Media in 2001. Classic Media was purchased by DreamWorks Animation in 2012 (and briefly renamed it DreamWorks Classics), which was purchased by Comcast's NBCUniversal in 2016 and currently distributed by Universal Pictures.

Paramount continues to own the post-March 1962 Noveltoons (beginning with Yule Laff).

Most of the pre-October 1950 cartoons are currently under public domain (with some few post-1950 exceptions as well).

Filmography

[edit]

1940s

[edit]
# Title Original release date Reissue release date Direction Animation Story Scenics Featuring Lyrics Narration Music Notes Video if in the public domain
1 No Mutton fer Nuttin' November 26, 1943 Dan Gordon (uncredited) Dave Tendlar
John Walworth 		Carl Meyer Blackie Sammy Timberg First Noveltoon cartoon, only Noveltoon recorded with Western Electric Sound in Miami, Florida, and first appearances of Blackie the Lamb and Wolfie Wolf.
First cartoon directed by Dan Gordon.
No Mutton fer Nuttin'
2 The Henpecked Rooster February 18, 1944 Seymour Kneitel Orestes Calpini
Reuben Grossman 		Jack Ward
Jack Mercer 		Herman and Henry Winston Sharples First appearances of Herman, Henry, and Bertha. First cartoon directed by Seymour Kneitel. First Noveltoon cartoon with directorial credit, and first Noveltoon recorded with RCA Sound System in New York City. Currently awaiting upload.
3 Cilly Goose March 24, 1944 March 10, 1950 Seymour Kneitel Graham Place
Abner Kneitel 		Joe Stultz Winston Sharples Copyright renewed in 1972.[2]
4 Suddenly It's Spring April 28, 1944 December 2, 1949 Seymour Kneitel Orestes Calpini
Otto Feuer 		Raggedy Ann Winston Sharples Second cartoon based on Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann character, after the Fleischer Studios cartoon Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. Currently awaiting upload.
5 Yankee Doodle Donkey October 27, 1944 May 5, 1950 I. Sparber Nick Tafuri
Tom Golden 		Jack Mercer
Jack Ward 		Sammy Timberg Featuring Spunky, an alumnus from the Color Classics series produced by Fleischer Studios. First cartoon directed by Izzy Sparber.
Yankee Doodle Donkey
6 Gabriel Churchkitten December 15, 1944 Seymour Kneitel Graham Place
Lou Zukor
George Cannata
Joe Oriolo 		Robert Little Winston Sharples Based on three books by Margot Austin. Copyright renewed in 1971.[3]
7 When G.I. Johnny Comes Home February 2, 1945 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Otto Feuer 		Jack Ward
Bill Turner 		Robert Little Winston Sharples First use of the Bouncing Ball in an animated cartoon since 1938. Currently awaiting upload.
8 Scrappily Married March 30, 1945 Seymour Kneitel Orestes Calpini
Otto Feuer 		Carl Meyer
Jack Ward 		Anton Loeb Herman and Henry Winston Sharples First use of the "Featuring" card and fanfare.
Scrappily Married
9 A Lamb in a Jam May 4, 1945 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
John Gentillela 		Joe Stultz
Carl Meyer 		Blackie Winston Sharples
A Lamb in a Jam
10 A Self-Made Mongrel June 29, 1945 Dan Gordon (uncredited) Dave Tendlar
John Walworth 		Carl Meyer Dog Face Winston Sharples First appearance of Dog Face.
Second and final Noveltoon directed by Dan Gordon.
A Self-Made Mongrel
11 The Friendly Ghost November 16, 1945 October 1, 1954 I. Sparber Nick Tafuri
John Walworth
Tom Golden 		Bill Turner
Otto Messmer 		Shane Miller Casper the Friendly Ghost Frank Gallop Winston Sharples First appearance of Casper the Friendly Ghost, and also his first short in the Noveltoon series, and the only short based on the 1939 book of the same name.
First Noveltoon short to have a separate "Famous Studios Production" logo card.
The Friendly Ghost
12 Old MacDonald Had a Farm December 28, 1945 Seymour Kneitel Orestes Calpini
Otto Feuer 		Bill Turner
Otto Messmer 		Robert Little Winston Sharples A sing-a-long with the Bouncing Ball. Currently awaiting upload.
13 Cheese Burglar February 22, 1946 October 2, 1953 I. Sparber Jim Tyer
Ben Solomon
William Henning 		Carl Meyer
Joe Stultz 		Herman Winston Sharples Herman's first solo appearance.
Clips of the episode were featured on the 2013 Brooklyn Puppet Conspiracy reboot of The Fuzz.
Cheese Burglar
14 Sheep Shape June 28, 1946 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
John Gentilella 		Joe Stultz Blackie Winston Sharples
Sheep Shape
15 The Goal Rush September 27, 1946 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
George Germanetti 		I. Klein
Jack Ward 		Robert Little Ward Wilson Winston Sharples A sing-a-long with the Bouncing Ball.
Final Noveltoon short to have "Paramount presents A NOVELTOON" and "A FAMOUS STUDIOS PRODUCTION" sharing the same opening card.
16 Spree for All October 4, 1946 Seymour Kneitel Jim Tyer
William Henning 		Bill Turner
Otto Messmer 		Snuffy Smith Winston Sharples Featuring Snuffy Smith from the comic strip Barney Google and Snuffy Smith. Previously considered a lost cartoon, and can currently only be seen in black-and-white format. Only Noveltoon produced in Cinecolor.
Only Snuffy Smith cartoon released under the Noveltoon series.
Spree for All
17 Sudden Fried Chicken October 18, 1946 October 1, 1954 Bill Tytla Orestes Calpini
Otto Feuer 		Carl Meyer
Jack Ward 		Herman and Henry Winston Sharples Final Herman and Henry cartoon.
This cartoon appeared in Smart House. First cartoon directed by Bill Tytla.
18 The Stupidstitious Cat April 25, 1947 October 2, 1953 Seymour Kneitel Graham Place
John Walworth 		Carl Meyer
Jack Ward 		Anton Loeb Buzzy Winston Sharples First appearance of Buzzy the Crow.
The Stupidstitious Cat
19 The Enchanted Square May 9, 1947 October 2, 1953 Seymour Kneitel Orestes Calpini
Al Eugster 		Shane Miller
Orestes Calpini 		Shane Miller Raggedy Ann Winston Sharples Third and final cartoon based on Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann character.
20 Madhattan Island June 27, 1947 Seymour Kneitel I. Klein Robert Little Kenneth Roberts Winston Sharples A sing-a-long with the Bouncing Ball, first Noveltoon without animation credits.
21 Much Ado About Mutton July 25, 1947 October 2, 1953 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Joe Stultz
Carl Meyer 		Anton Loeb Blackie Winston Sharples Last appearance of Blackie the Lamb and Wolfie Wolf together in the Noveltoon series. Blackie would later appear in the Screen Song The Circus Comes to Clown.
Much Ado About Mutton
22 The Wee Men August 8, 1947 October 2, 1953 Bill Tytla Al Eugster
Steve Muffatti
George Germanetti 		Ewald Ludwig
I. Klein
Jack Ward 		Robert Little Paddy the Leprechaun Buddy Kaye
Dick Manning 		Winston Sharples
The Wee Men
23 The Mild West August 22, 1947 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
George Germanetti 		Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Anton Loeb Winston Sharples A sing-a-long with the Bouncing Ball.
24 Naughty but Mice October 10, 1947 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Al Eugster 		Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Robert Owen Herman Winston Sharples
Naughty but Mice
25 Santa's Surprise December 7, 1947 October 1, 1954 Seymour Kneitel Myron Waldman
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Larz Bourne Robert Little Little Audrey Buddy Kaye Winston Sharples First appearance of Little Audrey and also her first short in the Noveltoon series.
26 Cat O' Nine Ails January 9, 1948 Seymour Kneitel Carl Meyer
Joe Stultz 		Buzzy Winston Sharples Soundtrack lost; picture still exists. A 4K remaster sourced from the original negatives with subtitles in place of the missing audio will be released on Blu-ray in April 2026.[4]
27 Flip Flap February 13, 1948 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Bee Lewi
Mickey Klar Marks
Joe Stultz
Larry Riley 		Robert Little Ken Roberts (uncredited) Winston Sharples Only Noveltoon produced in Polacolor.
28 We're in the Honey March 19, 1948 October 1, 1954 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		I. Klein
Jack Mercer 		Anton Loeb Buddy Kaye Winston Sharples
29 The Bored Cuckoo April 9, 1948 October 1, 1954 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Bunny Gough
Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Robert Connavale Winston Sharples Currently awaiting upload.
30 There's Good Boos To-Night April 23, 1948 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Morey Reden
Nick Tafuri 		Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Anton Loeb Casper the Friendly Ghost Frank Gallop Winston Sharples Second appearance of Casper in the Noveltoon series Currently awaiting upload.
31 The Land of the Lost May 7, 1948 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Nick Tafuri 		Isabel Manning Hewson (original)

Larz Bourne
Bill Turner (adaption)

Anton Loeb Winston Sharples First of three animated shorts based on the then-popular children's fantasy adventure radio series of the same name.
32 Butterscotch and Soda June 4, 1948 October 1, 1954 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Bill Hudson
Irving Spector 		Larz Bourne
Bill Turner 		Robert Owen Little Audrey Buddy Kaye Winston Sharples
33 The Mite Makes Right October 15, 1948 September 30, 1955 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		I. Klein Anton Loeb Winston Sharples
The Mite Makes Right
34 Hector's Hectic Life November 19, 1948 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Joe Stultz
Larry Riley 		Robert Connavale Winston Sharples
Hector's Hectic Life
35 The Old Shell Game December 17, 1948 September 30, 1955 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Joe Stultz
Larry Riley 		Robert Connavale Winston Sharples Wolfie’s first solo appearance.
The Old Shell Game
36 The Little Cut-Up January 21, 1949 September 30, 1955 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
George Whittier 		I. Klein
M. Marks 		Anton Loeb Winston Sharples
37 Hep Cat Symphony February 4, 1949 September 30, 1955 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Marty Taras 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Tom Ford Winston Sharples
Hep Cat Symphony
38 The Lost Dream March 18, 1949 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Harvey Patterson 		Steve Muffatti
Bill Turner
Larz Bourne 		Shane Miller Little Audrey Winston Sharples
The Lost Dream
39 Little Red School Mouse April 15, 1949 I. Sparber Tom Johnson
John Gentilella 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Connavale Winston Sharples
40 A Haunting We Will Go May 13, 1949 Seymour Kneitel Myron Waldman
Irving Dressler 		Larz Bourne Anton Loeb Casper the Friendly Ghost Frank Gallop Winston Sharples Last appearance of Casper in the Noveltoon series before he was given his own series. Currently awaiting upload.
41 A Mutt in a Rut May 27, 1949 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Little Dog Face Winston Sharples Second and final appearance of Dog Face.
42 Campus Capers July 1, 1949 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Connavale Herman Winston Sharples
43 Leprechaun's Gold October 14, 1949 September 30, 1955 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		I. Klein Robert Little Paddy the Leprechaun Winston Sharples Sequel to The Wee Men (1947).
Leprechaun's Gold
44 Song of the Birds October 14, 1949 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Robert Little Little Audrey Winston Sharples Short is a semi-remake/reused plot of the 1934 Max Fleischer Color Classic cartoon, The Song of the Birds (1934), featuring Little Audrey.

1950s

[edit]
# Title Original release date Reissue release date Direction Animation Story Scenics Featuring Notes Video if in the public domain
45 Land of the Lost Jewels January 6, 1950 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier 		Isabel Manning Hewson (original)

Bill Turner
Larry Riley (adaption)

Anton Loeb Second of three animated shorts based on the then-popular children's fantasy adventure radio series, Land of the Lost.
46 Quack-a-Doodle-Doo March 3, 1950 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
Martin Taras 		Robert Connavale Baby Huey First appearance of Baby Huey.
Quack-a-Doodle-Doo
47 Teacher's Pest March 31, 1950 September 30, 1955 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier 		I. Klein Tom Ford Junior Wolfie’s final appearance in the Noveltoon series, he would be later a reoccurring character in the Casper the Friendly Ghost series.
48 Tarts and Flowers May 26, 1950 September 30, 1955 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Bill Turner
Larry Riley 		Robert Little Little Audrey
49 Ups an' Downs Derby June 9, 1950 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Tom Ford Lightning
Ups an' Downs Derby
50 Pleased to Eat You July 21, 1950 September 30, 1955 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Wm.B Pattengill 		Larz Bourne Anton Loeb The Hungry Lion
Pleased to Eat You
51 Goofy Goofy Gander August 18, 1950 September 30, 1955 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		I. Klein Anton Loeb Little Audrey
Goofy Goofy Gander
52 Saved by the Bell September 15, 1950 September 30, 1955 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Morey Reden 		Larz Bourne Tom Ford Herman Herman's final solo appearance.
Last Noveltoon in the U.M. & M. library.
Saved by the Bell
53 The Voice of the Turkey November 3, 1950 Bill Tytla George Germanetti
Steve Muffatti 		Larz Bourne Tom Ford First Noveltoon in the Harvey Films library.
First appearances of Timothy the Turkey and the farmer.
Final cartoon directed by Bill Tytla.
54 Mice Meeting You November 24, 1950 September 21, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Jack Mercer
Carl Meyer 		Herman First appearance of Katnip.
55 Sock-a-Bye Kitty December 22, 1950 September 21, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Buzzy and Katnip First Buzzy and Katnip cartoon.
56 One Quack Mind January 12, 1951 September 21, 1956 I. Sparber Steve Muffati
George Germanetti 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Baby Huey
57 Mice Paradise March 9, 1951 September 21, 1956 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Tom Ford Herman
58 Hold the Lion Please April 13, 1951 September 28, 1956 I. Sparber Steve Muffatti
George Germanetti 		I. Klein Robert Owen Little Audrey
59 Land of Lost Watches May 4, 1951 September 28, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Steve Muffatti
George Germanetti 		Isabel Manning Hewson (original)

I. Klein
Larry Riley (adaption)

Tom Ford Third and final animated short based on the then-popular children's fantasy adventure radio series, Land of the Lost.
60 As the Crow Lies June 1, 1951 September 28, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Morey Reden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Owen Buzzy
61 Slip Us Some Redskin July 6, 1951 September 28, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Irving Spector Tom Ford
62 Party Smarty August 3, 1951 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Morey Reden 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Owen Baby Huey
63 Cat-Choo October 12, 1951 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Tom Ford Buzzy and Katnip
64 Audrey the Rainmaker October 26, 1951 September 13, 1957 I. Sparber Steve Muffatti
Bill Hudson 		I. Klein Tom Ford Little Audrey
65 Cat Tamale November 9, 1951 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		I. Klein Robert Little Herman and Katnip
66 By Leaps and Hounds December 14, 1951 September 13, 1957 I. Sparber Tom Johnson
John Gentilella 		Irving Spector Robert Connavale Herbert
67 Scout Fellow December 14, 1951 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Owen Baby Huey
68 Cat Carson Rides Again April 4, 1952 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Anton Loeb Herman and Katnip Final appearance of Herman in the Noveltoon series, before he and Katnip were given their own series.
69 The Awful Tooth May 2, 1952 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
George Rufle 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Owen Buzzy and Katnip
70 Law and Audrey May 23, 1952 September 13, 1957 I. Sparber Steve Muffatti
Morey Reden 		I. Klein Little Audrey
71 City Kitty July 18, 1952 September 13, 1957 I. Sparber Al Eugster
George Germanetti 		I. Klein Anton Loeb Katnip Katnip's first solo appearance.
72 Clown on the Farm August 22, 1952 September 13, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Connavale Baby Huey
73 The Case of the Cockeyed Canary December 19, 1952 September 12, 1958 Seymour Kneitel Steve Muffati
Morey Reden 		I. Klein Little Audrey
74 Feast and Furious December 26, 1952 September 12, 1958 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier 		Larz Bourne Robert Owen Finny
75 Starting from Hatch March 6, 1953 September 19, 1958 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Thomas Moore 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Anton Loeb Baby Huey
76 Winner by a Hare April 17, 1953 September 19, 1958 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Tom Golden 		Irving Spector John Zago Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare First appearances of Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare.
77 Better Bait Than Never June 5, 1953 September 11, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Irving Spector Jack Henegan Buzzy
78 Surf Bored July 17, 1953 September 11, 1959 I. Sparber Steve Muffatti
Morey Reden 		Larz Bourne Robert Connavale Little Audrey
79 Huey's Ducky Daddy November 20, 1953 September 11, 1959 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Tom Golden 		I. Klein Anton Loeb Baby Huey
80 The Seapreme Court January 29, 1954 September 11, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Tom Golden
Morey Reden 		Larz Bourne Robert Owen Little Audrey Public domain after the failure of renewal.
The Seapreme Court
81 Crazytown February 6, 1954 September 18, 1959 I. Sparber Al Eugster
Wm.B. Pattengil 		I. Klein Robert Little Public domain after the failure of renewal.
Crazytown
82 Hair Today Gone Tomorrow April 16, 1954 September 18, 1959 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Martin Taras 		Irving Spector Joseph Dommerque Buzzy Katnip's second and final solo appearance.
Final appearance of Katnip in the Noveltoon series.
83 Candy Cabaret June 11, 1954 Dave Tendlar Martin Taras
Thomas Moore 		I. Klein Robert Little A sing-a-long with the Bouncing Ball.
84 The Oily Bird July 30, 1954 September 1960 I. Sparber Myron Waldman
Gordon Whittier 		Larz Bourne John Zago Inchy
85 Fido Beta Kappa October 29, 1954 September 1960 I. Sparber Al Eugster
George Germanetti 		Irving Spector Robert Little Martin Kanine
86 No Ifs, Ands or Butts December 17, 1954 September 1960 I. Sparber Dave Tendlar
Thomas Moore 		Irving Spector Robert Connavale Buzzy First Noveltoon to have titles readjusted for emerging widescreen theatres.
Only appearance of Katsy in the Noveltoon series.
The ending gag is cut from Harvey Films prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo.
87 Dizzy Dishes February 4, 1955 I. Sparber Tom Golden
Bill Hudson 		I. Klein Anton Loeb Little Audrey
88 Git Along Little Ducky March 25, 1955 Dave Tendlar Martin Taras
Thomas Moore 		Larz Bourne Robert Connavale Baby Huey
89 News Hound June 10, 1955 I. Sparber Al Eugster
George Germanetti 		Jack Mercer Robert Owen Snapper
90 Poop Goes the Weasel July 8, 1955 Dave Tendlar Martin Taras
Thomas Moore 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		John Zago Waxey Weasel and Wishbone
91 Rabbit Punch September 30, 1955 Dave Tendlar Bill Hudson
Thomas Moore 		Larz Bourne Robert Little Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare Final Noveltoon to feature the Jack-in-the-Box opening titles and Sammy Timberg's opening fanfare.
The ending gag is cut from Harvey Films prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo.
92 Little Audrey Riding Hood October 14, 1955 Seymour Kneitel Tom Golden
Thomas Moore 		Larz Bourne Robert Connavale Little Audrey First Noveltoon to feature the updated title design and opening fanfare.
93 Kitty Cornered December 30, 1955 Dave Tendlar Martin Taras
Thomas Moore 		Larz Bourne Robert Connavale Kitty Kuddles
94 Sleuth But Sure March 23, 1956 Dave Tendlar Morey Reden
Martin Taras 		I. Klein Robert Little Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare
95 Swab the Duck May 11, 1956 Dave Tendlar Morey Reden
Martin Taras 		Carl Meyer Anton Loeb Baby Huey
96 Pedro and Lorenzo July 13, 1956 Dave Tendlar Morey Reden
Martin Taras 		I. Klein Robert Little The ending gag is cut from Harvey Films prints due to the involvement of the Paramount logo.
97 Sir Irving and Jeames October 19, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill 		Irving Spector
98 Lion in the Roar December 21, 1956 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Wm. B. Pattengill 		Larz Bourne
99 Pest Pupil January 25, 1957 Dave Tendlar Morey Reden
George Germanetti 		Carl Meyer Robert Owen Baby Huey Public domain after the failure of renewal.
Pest Pupil
100 Fishing Tackler March 29, 1957 I. Sparber Tom Golden
Bill Hudson 		I. Klein Little Audrey
101 Mr. Money Gags June 7, 1957 I. Sparber Al Eugster
Wm.B Pattengill 		Carl Meyer Robert Owen Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare Final appearances of Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare.
102 L'Amour the Merrier July 5, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Dante Barbetta
Nick Tafuri
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Irving Spector Hector
103 Possum Pearl September 20, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Frank Endres 		Jack Mercer John Zago Featuring Possum Pearl, a character spun off from the Popeye the Sailor short, Hill-billing and Cooing.
104 Jumping with Toy October 4, 1957 Dave Tendlar Wm.B Pattengill Jack Mercer Robert Owen Baby Huey
105 Jolly the Clown October 25, 1957 Seymour Kneitel Al Eugster
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
106 Cock-a-Doodle Dino December 6, 1957 I. Sparber Tom Golden Larz Bourne
107 Dante Dreamer January 3, 1958 I. Sparber Al Eugster
Dante Barbetta 		Jack Mercer John Zago
108 Sportickles February 14, 1958 Seymour Kneitel Robert Little
109 Grateful Gus March 7, 1958 Dave Tendlar Nick Tafuri
Chuck Harriton 		Irving Spector Final cartoon directed by Dave Tendlar.
110 Finnegan's Flea April 4, 1958 I. Sparber Tom Johnson
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Irving Spector
111 Okey Dokey Donkey May 16, 1958 I. Sparber Al Eugster
Dante Barbetta 		Jack Mercer John Zago Spunky Last appearance of Spunky from the Hunky and Spunky sub-series of Max Fleischer's Color Classics.
112 Chew Chew Baby August 15, 1958 I. Sparber Tom Johnson
Frank Endres 		Irving Spector Robert Owens
113 Travelaffs August 22, 1958 I. Sparber (uncredited) Al Eugster Final cartoon directed by I. Sparber.
114 Stork Raving Mad October 3, 1958 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Wm.B Pattengill 		Carl Meyer Robert Owen
115 Dawg Gawn December 12, 1958 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Nick Tafuri 		Carl Meyer Robert Owen Little Audrey Last appearance of Little Audrey.
Dawg Gawn
116 The Animal Fair January 30, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Robert Little
117 Hound About April 10, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Frank Endres 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
118 Huey's Father's Day May 8, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Baby Huey Final appearance of Baby Huey.
119 Out of This Whirl November 13, 1959 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Robert Owen Final Noveltoon in the original Harvey Films library. All pre-March 1962 Paramount cartoons would be sold to Harvey in 1962.

1960s

[edit]
# Title Original release date Direction Animation Story Scenics Featuring Notes
120 Be Mice to Cats January 15, 1960 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Skit and Skat First appearance of Skit and Skat.
121 Monkey Doodles April 1960 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Morey Reden 		Irving Dressler
122 Peck Your Own Home May 1960 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
Jack Ehret 		Irving Dressler
123 Silly Science May 1960 Seymour Kneitel I. Klein
Irving Dressler 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
124 Counter Attack July 1960 Seymour Kneitel Wm.B. Pattengill
Jack Ehret 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Skit and Skat A sequel to this short was produced and was entitled The Planet Mouseola (1960).
125 Turning the Fables August 1960 Seymour Kneitel Irving Spector
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Mortimer Tortoise and The Hare
126 Fine Feathered Friend September 1960 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
127 The Planet Mouseola October 1960 Seymour Kneitel Myron Waldman
Jack Ehret 		I. Klein Skit and Skat A sequel to Counter Attack (1960).
128 Northern Mites November 1960 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Wm.B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
129 Miceniks December 1960 Seymour Kneitel Tom Johnson
William Henning 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
130 The Lion's Busy February 1961 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
Al Pross 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Sir Reginald Tweedledum IV
131 Hound About That April 1961 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
Al Pross 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Harry Hound
132 Alvin's Solo Flight April 1961 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
I. Klein 		John Stanley Little Lulu
133 Goodie the Gremlin April 1961 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
Jim Logan 		Irving Dressler Goodie the Gremlin
134 Trick or Tree July 1961 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden
John Gentilella 		Irving Dressler
135 Cape Kidnaveral August 1961 Seymour Kneitel Myron Waldman Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
136 Turtle Scoop October 1961 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
George Germanetti
Sam Stimson 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Mortimer Tortoise and the Hare
137 Kozmo Goes to School November 1961 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Jack Ehret
Sam Stimson 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer 		Kozmo the Space Kid
138 Perry Popgun January 1962 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden
George Germanetti
Wm. B. Pattengill 		Carl Meyer
Jack Mercer
139 Without Time or Reason January 1962 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
George Germanetti
Jim Logan 		Eddie Lawrence Ralph and Percy
140 Good and Guilty February 1962 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden
George Germanetti
Wm.B. Pattengill 		I. Klein Goodie the Gremlin
141 T.V or No T.V March 1962 Seymour Kneitel Irving Spector
George Germanetti
I. Klein 		Ralph and Percy Final Noveltoon in the Harvey Films library.
142 Yule Laff October 1962 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
George Germanetti
Jim Logan 		I. Klein Robert Little Goodie the Gremlin Santa Claus' second Noveltoon appearance following from Santa's Surprise (1947).
143 It's for the Birdies November 1962 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Dante Barbetta
Larry Silverman 		Irv Dressler Robert Owen Grumble Cogwell
144 Fiddlin' Around December 1962 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
John Gentilella
I. Klein 		I. Klein Anton Loeb
145 Good Snooze Tonight February 1963 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras
John Gentilella
Jim Logan 		Irv Dressler Robert Little
146 A Sight for Squaw Eyes March 1963 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden
George Germanetti
Larry Silverman 		Irv Dressler Anton Loeb Hip Chick
147 Gramps to the Rescue September 1963 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden Jack Mercer
I. Klein 		Robert Little Skit and Skat Final appearances of Skit and Skat.
148 Hobo's Holiday September 1963 Seymour Kneitel Morey Reden Morey Reden Robert Little Final Bouncing Ball sing-a-long produced by Paramount Cartoon Studios, ending an on-again-off-again run that lasted nearly 40 years dating to the studio's origins as Inkwell Studios.
149 Hound for Pound October 1963 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Jim Logan
Larry Silverman 		Jack Mercer Robert Owen
150 The Sheepish Wolf November 1963 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri Irv Dressler Robert Little
151 Hiccup Hound November 1963 Seymour Kneitel Wm. B. Pattengill Irv Dressler
Jack Mercer 		Robert Little Goodie the Gremlin Final appearance of Goodie the Gremlin.
152 Ollie the Owl December 1963 Seymour Kneitel Nick Tafuri
Wm. B. Pattengill
Martin Taras 		Irv Dressler
Jack Mercer 		Robert Little Ollie Owl
153 Whiz Quiz Kid February 1964 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras Irv Dressler
Jack Mercer 		Robert Little Ollie Owl Final cartoon released in Seymour Kneitel's lifetime.
154 Laddy and His Lamp September 1964 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras Tony Peters Robert Little Laddy
Ali Presto
155 A Tiger's Tail October 1964 Seymour Kneitel Martin Taras Tony Peters Robert Little Laddy
Ali Presto
156 Homer on the Range November 1964 Howard Post Wm.B. Pattengill Howard Post Robert Little First Noveltoon directed by Howard Post.
157 A Hair-Raising Tale January 1965 Howard Post Morey Reden Jack Mendelsohn Robert Little
158 The Story of George Washington February 1965 Jack Mendelsohn Al Eugster Jack Mendelsohn Robert Little Jacky
159 A Leak in the Dike March 1965 Jack Mendelsohn Martin Taras Jack Mendelsohn Robert Little Jacky
160 Tally-Hokum October 1965 Howard Post Martin Taras Eli Bauer Robert Little Hangdog
Moxie Foxie
161 Horning In November 1965 Howard Post Morey Reden Howard Post Robert Little King Artie
162 Op, Pop, Wham. and Bop January 1966 Howard Post Martin Taras Eli Bauer Robert Little Ffat Kat
Rat Ffink
163 Sick Transit January 1966 Howard Post Wm. B. Pattengill Howard Post
Frank Ridgeway
Bud Sagendorf 		Robert Little Roadhog
Rapid Rabbit
164 Space Kid February 1966 Seymour Kneitel
Howard Post (uncredited) 		Larry Silverman Irving Dressler Robert Owen Kozmo the Space Kid Planned by Seymour Knietel and finished by an uncredited Howard Post.
Final Noveltoon directed by Howard Post.
165 Geronimo & Son December 1966 Shamus Culhane Chuck Harriton
Nick Tafuri 		Howard Beckerman First Noveltoon directed by Shamus Culhane.
166 The Trip April 1967 Shamus Culhane Howard Beckerman Howard Beckerman
167 Robin Hood-winked June 1967 Shamus Culhane Al Eugster
Nick Tafuri 		Heywood Kling Sir Blur The very last Noveltoon ever produced after the studio closed down. Final Noveltoon directed by Shamus Culhane.

Home media

[edit]

In January 2012, Thunderbean Animation released a restored collection of public domain Noveltoons on DVD entitled Noveltoons Original Classics with the following cartoons:

  1. Cilly Goose
  2. Suddenly It's Spring
  3. Yankee Doodle Donkey
  4. Scrappily Married
  5. A Lamb in a Jam
  6. Cheese Burglar
  7. Sudden Fried Chicken
  8. The Stupidstitious Cat
  9. The Enchanted Square
  10. Much Ado About Mutton
  11. The Wee Men
  12. Naughty But Mice
  13. Flip Flap
  14. The Bored Cuckoo
  15. Leprechauns Gold
  16. Quack-a-Doodle Doo
  17. Teacher's Pest
  18. Ups an' Downs Derby
  19. Pleased to Eat You
  20. Saved by the Bell.

In October 2019, Thunderbean Animation re-released Noveltoons Original Classics on Blu-ray. It included the following cartoons:

  1. Cilly Goose
  2. Suddenly It's Spring
  3. Yankee Doodle Donkey
  4. Scrappily Married
  5. A Lamb in a Jam
  6. Cheese Burglar
  7. Old MacDonald Had A Farm
  8. The Stupidstitious Cat
  9. The Enchanted Square
  10. Much Ado About Mutton
  11. Quack-a-Doodle Doo
  12. The Wee Men
  13. Naughty But Mice
  14. Flip Flap
  15. The Bored Cuckoo
  16. The Old Shell Game
  17. Teacher's Pest
  18. Ups an' Downs Derby
  19. Pleased to Eat You
  20. Saved by the Bell.

Paramount Home Entertainment released a restored print of Space Kid on the "Paramount Presents" Blu-ray re-release of the 1982 film 48 Hrs. in July 2021, making it the first Paramount cartoon from the 1960s decade to be restored on any form of home media.[5][6]

On January 26, 2026, film preservationist Thad Komorowski announced the Famous Studios Champions Collection, the first officially licensed DVD and Blu-ray release of the Paramount-owned Famous Studios cartoons. The set will contain 18 cartoons, sourced from 4K scans of the original studio materials (in co-operation with the Paramount Pictures Archives), and will be released on April 21, 2026 by Komorowski's Cartoon Logic label and distributed by ClassicFlix. The set will feature 15 Noteltoons (with two Little Lulu cartoons, and one Screen Song) as well as two bonus "mostly lost" Noveltoon shorts: [7][8][9][10]

  1. No Mutton Fer Nuttin'
  2. The Henpecked Rooster
  3. Suddenly It's Spring!
  4. A Lamb in a Jam
  5. The Friendly Ghost
  6. Sheep Shape
  7. Sudden Fried Chicken
  8. Much Ado About Mutton
  9. There's Good Boos To-Night
  10. Butterscotch And Soda
  11. Hep Cat Symphony
  12. A Haunting We Will Go
  13. Campus Capers
  14. Our Funny Finny Friends
  15. Quack-a Doodle-Doo
  16. Bonus Short: Spree for All (Black and White 35mm print)
  17. Bonus Short: Cat O' Nine Ails (Restored without soundtrack)

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Noveltoons

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Noveltoons is an American of animated cartoon shorts produced by for , running from 1943 to 1967. The series succeeded ' earlier line and emphasized colorful, self-contained stories with a mix of original characters and adaptations, often blending humor, fantasy, and moral lessons . Many entries introduced recurring figures that later starred in their own spin-off series, including , , , , and the duo of Herman the mouse and Katnip the cat. Produced during the , Noveltoons totaled over 160 shorts, with themes ranging from whimsical animal antics to holiday specials and musical numbers, reflecting ' shift from Fleischer's more experimental style to polished, family-friendly entertainment. By the , the series incorporated elements like original songs and rival character dynamics, such as Katnip's pursuits of Herman or Buzzy , while adapting to audiences and competition from television. Though the studio closed in 1967 amid declining theatrical shorts, Noveltoons' legacy endures through releases, digital restorations, and influence on later , preserving a key chapter in classic cartoon .

History

Origins and Launch

The Noveltoons series was launched on November 26, 1943, as a Paramount Pictures production under the newly formed Famous Studios, marking the studio's effort to expand its animated short film output following the transition from Fleischer Studios. Famous Studios had been established earlier that year as a successor to Fleischer Studios, after Paramount Pictures assumed full control in 1941 amid escalating financial disputes and production delays, leading to the resignation of founders Max and Dave Fleischer in 1942. The studio, led by production heads Sam Buchwald, Isadore Sparber, Seymour Kneitel, and Dan Gordon, relocated operations from Miami to New York to streamline costs and maintain Paramount's distribution commitments. Noveltoons served as a direct successor to ' series (1934–1941), which had aimed to deliver high-quality, full-color animated shorts competitive with Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies but encountered significant production challenges, including elevated costs for color processes and the studio's ongoing budget constraints during the and early wartime years. With Fleischer's financial instability culminating in the 1942 acquisition, Paramount restructured the animation division to prioritize efficient output, positioning Noveltoons as an anthology format to introduce one-off stories, test new characters, and fill gaps in the annual cartoon slate alongside established series like and . The inaugural short, "No Mutton fer Nuttin'," debuted the series with an original tale featuring Blackie the Lamb and Wolfie Wolf, setting a tone for whimsical, self-contained narratives. Early installments emphasized adaptations of tales, nursery rhymes, and inventive concepts, such as barnyard adventures and moral fables, to appeal to family audiences in theaters. emerged as a primary director from the outset, contributing to the series' foundational episodes alongside Sparber, leveraging his experience from Fleischer's later years to guide the shift toward more streamlined, character-focused animation. This approach allowed to experiment without the high-stakes commitments of ongoing character franchises, though the series would later evolve toward recurring protagonists.

Evolution and End

The early years of the Noveltoons series were influenced by , with several shorts incorporating morale-boosting themes related to wartime efforts, such as enlistment and home-front contributions, as seen in "Yankee Doodle Donkey" (1944). Post-war, the series experienced significant expansion under , growing from its 1943 launch into a mainstay of Paramount's animation output and culminating in a total of 167 shorts produced by 1967, each typically running 6–10 minutes. In the , Noveltoons evolved from primarily anthology-style one-off stories to incorporating more serialized elements centered on recurring characters, a shift that emphasized ongoing narratives and character continuity. This change was exemplified by the prominence of , first introduced in the 1945 short "The Friendly Ghost," and , who debuted in "Quack-a-Doodle-Doo" in 1950, both of which transitioned into dedicated sub-series and supported tie-in comics. Production began to slow in the 1960s amid intensifying competition from television, which drew audiences and resources away from theatrical shorts, and Paramount's reduced commitment to in-house animation amid broader industry shifts. Budget constraints led to downsizing at Famous Studios (renamed Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1956), with fewer new shorts greenlit and reliance on cost-effective formats. The series concluded with the release of "Space Kid" on February 1, 1966, after which ceased operations in 1967, marking the end of Paramount's theatrical animation era.

Production

Studio Operations

was established on May 25, 1942, by as a successor to following the latter's acquisition and the departure of its founders, Max and . The studio was headquartered in at 25 West 45th Street, maintaining the East Coast operations inherited from Fleischer. As a fully owned subsidiary of Paramount, operated under contractual obligations to produce theatrical animated shorts, with Paramount handling all distribution to cinemas. This arrangement ensured steady output but tied the studio's creative decisions to Paramount's commercial priorities. The production pipeline at followed the industry standard for cel of the era, beginning with storyboarding to outline sequences and character actions, followed by detailed pencil drawn frame-by-frame on transparent cels. These cels were painted on the reverse side, layered over painted backgrounds, and photographed using a to create the illusion of movement. Sound synchronization was integrated post-, with dialogue, music, and effects recorded and aligned to the visuals, often featuring lively scores by composers like Winston Sharples. For color, the studio employed the three-strip process to achieve vibrant, eye-catching visuals that enhanced the appeal of series like Noveltoons. Budget constraints at , which were notably lower than those at , necessitated efficient workflows and occasionally led to rushed productions to meet quotas. The studio typically output 20–30 shorts annually across multiple series, such as 34 titles in the 1948–49 season alone, including contributions to Noveltoons, , and . Technical specifications included the 35mm film format for theatrical projection, with selective use of depth techniques, such as the stereoptical adapted from Fleischer innovations, to add depth and effects in certain shorts, though not as extensively as at . This approach prioritized volume and cost-effectiveness while delivering colorful, comedic content suited for cinema audiences.

Creative Personnel

The primary directors of Noveltoons at included , who helmed a substantial portion of the series' output, often focusing on whimsical and character-driven stories, and Isadore Sparber (credited as I. Sparber), who specialized in fast-paced chase comedies. Dave Tendlar also contributed as a director on several entries, bringing a distinctive style influenced by his earlier experience. Notable animators such as Myron Waldman, a veteran from the Fleischer era who continued at , were renowned for their fluid character movements and expressive animation in Noveltoons, particularly in scenes emphasizing personality and emotion. Nick Tafuri collaborated frequently with Waldman on animation units, contributing to the smooth, dynamic action sequences that defined many of the series' comedic chases. Gordon Sheehan, another key animator from the studio's early days, added to the polished, lively motion in character interactions across multiple productions. Voice talent played a crucial role in bringing Noveltoons characters to life, with providing the distinctive voices for and , infusing them with charm and youthful energy. lent his unique, nasal timbre to Herman the Mouse in the segments, enhancing the character's hapless appeal. handled narrator roles and various authoritative voices, adding gravitas to storytelling elements in the shorts. Writers like Larz Bourne and Carl Meyer crafted scripts for Noveltoons, often adapting inspirations or developing original tales that blended humor with light fantasy, ensuring narrative accessibility for young audiences. Winston Sharples composed original scores for the series, incorporating orchestral elements to underscore comedic timing and emotional beats, as part of his extensive work scoring over 700 cartoons for Paramount and .

Characters

Main Protagonists

debuted in the 1945 Noveltoons short , where he is portrayed as a young, pacifist ghost who rejects the frightening antics of his spectral peers in favor of seeking companionship with the living. Unlike traditional ghosts, Casper's gentle nature often leads to misunderstandings, as his attempts at friendship inadvertently scare people away, highlighting themes of and in the series. He became the most enduring of Noveltoons, starring in over 50 shorts produced by from 1945 to 1959, evolving into a symbol of wholesome during the postwar era. Little Audrey, introduced as a replacement for the licensed character after lost the rights, first appeared in the 1947 holiday short Santa's Surprise as a proto-version before starring in her own solo adventures beginning with Butterscotch and Soda in 1948. This adventurous young girl, designed by animator in 1946, embodies curiosity and imagination, often embarking on whimsical escapades involving everyday objects that come to life or fantastical journeys driven by her inventive spirit. She featured in 16 Noveltoons shorts through 1958, showcasing her as a clever problem-solver in scenarios blending humor and mild fantasy, such as radio-inspired baking disasters or rainmaking mishaps. Baby Huey, a colossal and naïve duckling endowed with unintended super strength, made his debut in the 1950 Noveltoons short Quack-a-Doodle-Doo, created by animator Martin Taras for Famous Studios. His dim-witted personality frequently results in comedic chaos, as his innocent actions—like playful wrestling—overwhelm his surroundings and smaller companions, turning simple outings into slapstick spectacles. Based on a character that transitioned seamlessly to Harvey Comics in 1952, Baby Huey starred in 13 shorts until 1959, emphasizing recurring motifs of his protective yet bumbling role within duck family dynamics. Over the series' run, character designs evolved for greater expressiveness, particularly sheet-like form, which started pudgier and more rounded in his debut to convey childlike vulnerability but was refined in later shorts with sleeker lines and exaggerated facial features to enhance emotional range and fluidity.

Recurring Antagonists and Supports

In the Noveltoons series, Katnip the Cat served as a primary recurring , debuting alongside Herman the Mouse in the 1947 short Naughty But Mice as part of a cat-and-mouse chase dynamic inspired by classic rivalries like . Voiced by Sid Raymond, Katnip was portrayed as a bullying, scheming feline who relentlessly pursued Herman across over two dozen shorts through 1959, often employing gadgets or disguises in failed attempts to capture his prey, which fueled the series' humor. This antagonism highlighted themes of clever evasion, with Herman consistently outsmarting Katnip's aggressive tactics in a total of 33 co-starring appearances within the Noveltoons framework. Buzzy the Crow emerged as another mischievous recurring character, first appearing in the 1947 Noveltoon The Stupidstitious Cat and gaining prominence in the 1950s with several shorts featuring his trickster persona. Voiced by various actors including in later entries, Buzzy was depicted as a sly, opportunistic who frequently outwitted human characters or feline foes like Katnip through pranks and deceptions, such as in Sock-a-Bye Kitty (1950) where he sabotages Katnip's sleep with absurd schemes. His role emphasized chaotic comedy, appearing in 13 Noveltoons shorts from 1947 to 1954, often allying temporarily with antagonists only to betray them for personal gain. Supporting characters in Casper the Friendly Ghost segments of Noveltoons provided ensemble dynamics, with Wendy the Good Little Witch debuting in the 1958 short Which is Witch as Casper's benevolent ally. Voiced by Mae Questel, Wendy assisted Casper in resolving supernatural mishaps, using her magical abilities to counter evil witches or spells, appearing in multiple Casper-related Noveltoons thereafter as a foil to more malevolent supernatural elements. Complementing this, the Ghostly Trio—Casper's rowdy uncles Fatso, Stretch, and Stinkie—first appeared in the 1956 short Fright from Wrong, serving as comic relief through their boisterous, mean-spirited antics that contrasted Casper's kindness. Voiced by Jackson Beck, Jack Mercer, and Sid Raymond, the Trio often pressured Casper into ghostly mischief, only to be thwarted, adding layers of familial tension and humor in over a dozen subsequent appearances. One-off supporting antagonists, such as eccentric professors in sci-fi themed Noveltoons like Rocket to Mars (1947), occasionally drove plots with mad-scientist pursuits, embodying the era's fascination with space adventure while emphasizing failures. Overall, these recurring antagonists and supports enriched Noveltoons' narratives by creating conflict through bungled chases and rivalries, underscoring the series' reliance on and character interplay to engage audiences.

Filmography

1940s Shorts

The Noveltoons series began in 1943 as an anthology of animated shorts produced by for , with the 1940s output comprising approximately 40 entries that tested new characters, adapted fairy tales, and incorporated motifs. These early films often served as creative experiments, introducing protagonists like in "The Friendly Ghost" (1945) and exploring whimsical themes amid , such as morale-boosting narratives in "When G.I. Johnny Comes Home" (1945), which depicted soldiers returning home to joyful reunions. Many shorts drew from and , emphasizing lighthearted adventures and moral lessons, while reflecting the era's wartime optimism through patriotic or uplifting stories. Several 1940s Noveltoons were reissued by Paramount in the 1950s under the "" branding for renewed theatrical distribution, extending their reach to audiences. A notable aspect of this decade's shorts is their status; due to lapsed copyright renewals after Paramount sold pre-1950 titles to U.M. & M. TV Corp. in 1956, many—such as ""—entered the in the 1970s, enabling widespread availability on and online platforms today. The following table highlights representative 1940s Noveltoons, focusing on key examples that illustrate the series' adaptations, character introductions, and thematic diversity:
TitleRelease DateDirectorNotable Features
No Mutton fer Nuttin'November 26, 1943Isadore SparberDebut of Blackie the Lamb; wolf pursuit comedy
Suddenly It's SpringApril 28, 1944Nursery rhyme adaptation with and Andy; seasonal theme
When Johnny Comes HomeFebruary 2, 1945WWII morale booster; sing-along Screen Song format
The November 16, 1945Isadore SparberIntroduction of Casper; ghost folklore twist;
The Wee MenAugust 8, 1947 fairy tale; eviction comedy with mythical beings
Santa's SurpriseDecember 5, 1947Debut of ; holiday nursery rhyme adaptation

1950s Shorts

The marked the zenith of the Noveltoons series, producing 80 shorts from 1950 to 1959 that solidified its status as ' primary anthology outlet for character-driven tales. Recurring stars like , , , and occasional Casper appearances dominated, with stories emphasizing humor, moral fables, and imaginative scenarios tied to source material. This period reflected growing influence, as the studio expanded licensing deals to adapt popular characters, boosting cross-media synergy. Color experimentation flourished through processes, enabling vivid visuals in fantasies like the space adventure "Boo Moon" (1954), where Casper explores an alien world. Many 1950s shorts underwent theatrical reissues in the and entered status in the due to unrenewed copyrights, facilitating their preservation and accessibility via and online archives. Key trends included serialized character arcs, such as 's bumbling escapades and 's clever problem-solving, alongside one-off tales experimenting with UPA-inspired stylized animation by the late decade. Directors like Isadore Sparber, David Tendlar, and frequently collaborated, often pairing with animators like Tom Johnson or Nick Tafuri to craft concise 6-7 minute narratives.
TitleRelease DateDirector(s)Featuring/Notable Elements
Quack-a-Doodle-DooMarch 3, 1950Sparber/Tendlar debut; duck chases a worm
Teacher's PestMarch 31, 1950Sparber/EugsterJunior Owl outsmarts a wolf teacher
Cat-ChooOctober 12, 1951Tendlar/JohnsonKatnip and Buzzy; remedy-themed
Audrey the RainmakerOctober 29, 1951Kneitel/Reden causes and fixes a
Mice CapadesOctober 3, 1952Sparber/TendlarHerman tricks Katnip with fake mice funeral
Of Mice and MagicFebruary 20, 1953Tendlar/EugsterHerman uses magic to save Louise from Katnip
Boo MoonOctober 22, 1954Kneitel/RedenCasper's space adventure to the moon
Fido Beta KappaOctober 29, 1954Sparber/EugsterMartin Kanine attends dog college
February 4, 1955Sparber/Golden dreams of
Git Along Lil' DuckieMarch 25, 1955Tendlar/Taras as a cowboy
Little Audrey Riding HoodOctober 14, 1955Kneitel/Reden encounters a burglar
Swab the DuckMay 11, 1956Tendlar/Reden pirate play
Pest PupilJanuary 25, 1957Tendlar/Reden in kindergarten trouble
Cock-a-Doodle DinoDecember 6, 1957Sparber/GoldenChicken hatches a ; studio in-jokes
Dawg GawnDecember 12, 1958Kneitel/Johnson saves her dog from catcher
Huey's Father's DayMay 8, 1959Kneitel/Johnson honors his father with chores
These examples highlight the series' reliance on Harvey characters for broad appeal, with animation credits often shared among teams like Myron Waldman for storyboards and artists for character designs.

1960s Shorts

The represented the waning years of the Noveltoons series, characterized by diminished output and adaptations to evolving industry dynamics at (later Paramount Cartoon Studios). Between 1960 and 1967, the studio produced 47 shorts, a sharp decline from the prolific and , as resources were increasingly diverted to television animation and cost-cutting measures took hold. This period saw the introduction of more experimental narratives, including elements and contemporary social themes, amid efforts to refresh the anthology format before the studio's closure in 1967. Stylistic shifts were evident in the reliance on techniques, influenced by the rise of cartoons, which prioritized quick production over fluid motion and detailed backgrounds. Budget reductions, particularly after 1958, resulted in simpler visuals, such as static poses and reused cels, while color processes like became standard to economize on . Directors like brought innovative storytelling, as seen in Oscar-winning entries, but overall, the shorts reflected a transition toward more formulaic, -friendly content. Several shorts from this era, including post-1960 releases, entered the due to lapsed copyrights by Paramount, making them widely available through archival collections and contributing to their despite initial neglect. The following table highlights representative examples of Noveltoons shorts, showcasing their thematic diversity and production details:
TitleRelease DateDirector(s)Featuring/Notes
The Planet MouseolaOctober 14, 1960Dave TendlarSkit and Skat in a sci-fi mouse invasion plot; exemplifies experimental alien themes.
December 2, 1960 (Rembrandt Films)A young boy drafted into the army; Award winner for Best Animated Short, highlighting creative, non-traditional narratives.
MiceniksDecember 30, 1960Dave TendlarBeatnik mice evading a ; incorporates modern teen elements.
Cape KidnaveralJuly 28, 1961Dave TendlarKids building a rocket; sci-fi adventure reflecting era interests.
Kozmo Goes to SchoolNovember 3, 1961 TafuriKozmo confronting a school bully; introduces a new character in a relatable teen story.
Space KidApril 8, 1966Kozmo babysitting amid urban chaos with sci-fi twists.
These selections illustrate the blend of recurring characters like Skit and Skat with fresh concepts, though production constraints often led to abbreviated runtimes and less elaborate animation compared to prior decades.

Distribution

Theatrical Releases

The Noveltoons shorts were distributed theatrically by Paramount Pictures from 1943 to 1967, typically paired with the studio's live-action feature films as supporting programs or second bills in cinemas across the United States. These animated shorts served as family-oriented entertainment, accompanying major releases to attract audiences of all ages, particularly children, during an era when theatrical cartoons were a staple of moviegoing. Paramount maintained a consistent release schedule, producing and distributing approximately 24 to 30 animated shorts annually across its various series during the , with Noveltoons comprising a significant portion aimed at broad family viewership through humor, music, and recurring characters. By the late 1950s, output declined to around 16 shorts per year overall as television competition grew, but Noveltoons continued until the studio's closure. Marketing strategies emphasized visual promotions, including colorful posters highlighting stars like and tie-ins with publications to build character recognition and drive theater attendance. These efforts contributed to modest success, with popular entries in the released amid declining short-subject popularity. Internationally, Paramount handled limited exports of Noveltoons to and through its subsidiaries, focusing on dubbed versions for select markets to capitalize on the studio's global feature distribution network.

Reissues and Syndication

In January 1956, Paramount sold the pre-October 1950 Noveltoons to U.M. & M. TV Corporation for $3 million for television syndication, which were later acquired by National Telefilm Associates (NTA) in 1958. Following the original theatrical runs, many Noveltoons shorts were reissued to theaters by Paramount Pictures in the 1950s and early 1960s as part of the "Paramount Champions" series, which initially combined them with live-action shorts before shifting to all-animation packages featuring Casper the Friendly Ghost, Herman and Katnip, and other anthology entries to appeal to evolving audiences. These reissues often updated title cards and packaging but retained core content, with examples including a 16mm Kodachrome print of Cilly Goose (1945) bearing the distinctive "Paramount Champion" logo. In July 1958, Harvey Comics acquired the post-October 1950 Noveltoons (along with related character copyrights and merchandising rights) from Paramount for $1.7 million, while Paramount retained theatrical distribution and original negatives. This enabled syndication to , beginning with a 30-year ABC deal that launched on October 11, 1959, as a Sunday afternoon anthology showcasing Harvey-owned Noveltoons alongside other properties like and . The program ran on ABC until 1961, after which the package entered local syndication under the "Harveytoons" banner, airing on independent stations through the 1960s and beyond with modified openings to unify branding. During the 1970s and 1980s, select Noveltoons appeared in video compilations, primarily through releases, as copyrights on many pre-1950 shorts had lapsed due to non-renewal under pre-1978 U.S. law (initial 28-year terms expiring without extension). British distributor Vidage issued tapes of entries like Cheese Burglar (1946) and The Wee Men (1947) in 1988–1989, often in budget collections. Harvey Home Entertainment, in partnership with Universal, also released official anthologies in the mid-1980s featuring restored Harvey-era shorts, such as Casper and episodes. These tapes, alongside occasional festival screenings of 16mm prints at retrospectives, helped sustain interest amid declining theatrical viability. By 2025, copyright lapses have placed the majority of the series' 167 shorts into the , with most pre-October 1950 entries (over 60 confirmed) qualifying due to unrenewed registrations, plus exceptions like The Seapreme Court (1954), Crazntown (1954), and Pest Pupil (1957) from later years. This status has facilitated widespread availability on digital archives and low-cost media, though a subset remains under (post-Harvey acquisition) or Paramount control. Modern revivals include digitally restored screenings of select Noveltoons at animation festivals, such as Thunderbean Animation's 2012 DVD presentations of HD-remastered prints from original 35mm elements, featured in retrospective programs highlighting ' output. These efforts, often tied to restorations, continue to draw audiences at events like free classic cartoon showcases in .

Home Media

Physical Formats

Thunderbean Animation released the first major home video collection of Noveltoons shorts with the 2012 DVD set Noveltoons Original Classics, featuring 20 public domain cartoons digitally restored and remastered in high definition from original 35mm and 16mm film elements. This edition highlighted one-shot stories and early appearances of characters like Buzzy the Crow, with bonus materials including audio commentaries by animation historians and galleries of original artwork. In 2019, Thunderbean upgraded the collection to Blu-ray format under the same title, featuring the 20 shorts with new high-definition scans from 35mm IB Technicolor prints sourced from private collectors. The restoration process improved color vibrancy and image clarity compared to the DVD, emphasizing the original Technicolor palette for titles like Suddenly It's Spring and The Wee Men. During the 1980s and 1990s, Harvey Comics, which held rights to characters like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Baby Huey, distributed VHS tapes compiling relevant Noveltoons episodes through partnerships with Universal Studios Home Video. These releases, such as Casper Classics and Baby Huey Cartoon Classics, focused on family-friendly selections from the 1940s–1950s shorts, often bundling 4–6 cartoons per tape for home viewing. By 2025, complete editions of Thunderbean's Noveltoons Original Classics sets in DVD or Blu-ray formats have become collectible items, with market values typically ranging from $20 for used copies to $100 for sealed or mint-condition versions on secondary markets. These physical releases remain prized by enthusiasts for their archival quality and limited production runs.

Digital and Streaming

Many Noveltoons shorts produced before October 1950 have entered the due to lapsed renewals, making them freely accessible online since the late 1990s through public domain VHS releases and early digital uploads. By 2025, over 60 such titles are available for free viewing on platforms like the , which hosts a comprehensive collection of 164 Noveltoons shorts amassed from various sources including DVDs and , and on via dedicated playlists featuring restored and original uploads of series like and . Select episodes featuring characters like and , drawn from the 1950–1962 shorts licensed through former rights holders (now under /NBCUniversal), are available on ad-supported streaming services such as and , offering compilations totaling over 10 hours of content. These platforms provide paid or ad-free access, contrasting with the no-cost options, though full series availability remains limited by ongoing licensing arrangements. Copyright ownership for Noveltoons is fragmented: retains rights to post-1962 shorts, while the 1950–1962 titles are held by , complicating comprehensive and restorations. This split has led to challenges in centralized streaming, with some efforts toward digital remastering evident in high-definition uploads of individual shorts from the 2020s, enhancing accessibility for preserved pre-1950 titles. Free viewings dominate online access, while copyrighted episodes require subscriptions like at $14.99 per month or Tubi's free ad-supported model.

Legacy

Character Adaptations

In 1958, sold the rights to its post-1950 cartoons, including key Noveltoons characters such as , , and , along with associated merchandising rights, to . This transaction allowed Harvey to expand these characters beyond theatrical shorts into formats. Harvey Comics launched extensive comic book series featuring these characters, beginning with Casper the Friendly Ghost in 1952 through an appearance in Harvey Comics Hits #61, followed by a solo title that ran for 260 issues from 1958 to 1991. Little Audrey initially appeared in St. John Publications' comics from 1948 to 1952, spanning 24 issues, before Harvey acquired licensing and continued her stories in various titles. Baby Huey received his own Harvey series starting in 1956, with crossovers in anthologies like Harvey Hits Comics that paired him with characters such as Richie Rich. The acquisition facilitated television adaptations, notably The New Casper Cartoon Show, which aired on ABC from 1963 to 1964 and combined new animated segments with repackaged shorts featuring Casper and supporting characters like . This series marked the characters' transition to broadcast media under Harvey's control. Later adaptations included the 1995 live-action film Casper, produced by in collaboration with Harvey Entertainment, which grossed over $287 million worldwide and introduced the character to a new generation through a blend of CGI and practical effects. appeared in comic crossovers with Richie Rich during the 1970s and 1980s in Harvey's shared-universe publications. Rights to most Noveltoons characters remain with Harvey's successors; Classic Media acquired the properties in 2001, followed by in 2012, and ultimately (via ) in 2016, distinct from Paramount's retention of non-character-specific shorts. In modern contexts, these characters support ongoing merchandise lines and , including Casper-themed mobile games and apps released in the 2020s, such as interactive titles available on platforms like Android.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Noveltoons series, produced from 1943 to 1967 by for , bridged the of theatrical and the emerging era, upholding hand-drawn cel and vibrant visuals amid declining studio budgets and shifting audience preferences. This transitional role preserved core techniques of the era, such as fluid character movements and musical scoring by Winston Sharples, even as competitors like innovated in for . Through syndication packages distributed to television in the , Noveltoons influenced the format of early TV cartoon programming, introducing young audiences to classic theatrical styles and paving the way for mixed-character blocks that blended shorts from various studios. These broadcasts, often under repackaged titles like Harveytoons, familiarized viewers with the language of , emphasizing recurring gags and ensemble casts that echoed but softened the structure of earlier series. Critically, Noveltoons received praise for their colorful, high-production visuals and engaging scores, which rivaled contemporaries in aesthetic appeal, though they were often critiqued for formulaic plots and uneven storytelling that prioritized gags over narrative depth. The series holds an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 on , based on user reviews highlighting its nostalgic charm despite these limitations. By , a significant portion of the series—particularly the pre-1950 —has entered the due to lapsed copyrights, enabling broader scholarly analysis, restorations, and fan-driven distributions via and DVDs that have cultivated a dedicated . In , Thunderbean Animation released additional restored Noveltoons on Blu-ray, further supporting preservation efforts and revitalizing interest in the series. This accessibility has revitalized interest, allowing researchers to examine the evolution of mid-century without proprietary restrictions. While structured as an anthology similar to Warner Bros.' , featuring both one-shot stories and recurring characters, Noveltoons adopted a softer, more child-friendly tone with less acerbic wit and violence, aligning with ' family-oriented approach. This distinction contributed to their enduring appeal in educational and nostalgic contexts, distinct from the edgier humor of their predecessors.

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