I admit not watching Clutch Cargo, but this cartoon is part of cartoon’s golden age. Then again, somebody out there requested it, and I am quite the gracious type.
Clutch, a writer and pilot, goes across the world on dangerous assignments
Other characters: Spinner (young kid), Paddlefoot (kid’s dog), and Swampy (Clutch’s bearded friend)
Each adventure was segmented into 5, five-minute chapters, with the first four ending in cliffhangers
Created by Clark Haas
First aired March 9, 1959
Forerunner to Jonny Quest (past post here)
52 adventures; first, The Friendly Head Hunters; last, Big “X”
Music by Paul Horn, who only used bongos, a vibraphone, and a flute
Clutch voiced by Richard Cotting
Swampy voiced by Hal Smith, who played Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show
Production had a limited budget (including the music), thus used other methods to produce episodes at about 20% of Hanna-Barbera costs; less than 10% of Disney’s cost. This 4 ½-minute video explains Cambria Productions’ animation technique.
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Here’s a chapter of an adventure
Living in the armpit of the universe, AKA Canada, was not conducive to getting lots of these shows. Interesting to see what underfunded Americans could achieve that far back.
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Archon,
Glad you re-emphasized the point about the Clutch’s low-cost approach. Actually, I thought the video about the animation was interesting … but does that mean we have to thank Erickson for that? 😉 Thanks for commenting.
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Something new for me again – learn something new everyday here .. *smile – amazing job that went into animated films before – now is it all computers, but still amazing what they can do.
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Viveka,
Everything has a history. Sure that animation was low tech even in its time, but still part of the history that gives us animation today. Thanks for triggering that thought!!!
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Amazing, they draw every movement by hand – that’s art for me.
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Viveka,
Regardless of the simplicity of this series, who bring out a great point. Thanks for sharing.
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Another new one for me Frank. I don’t even slightly remember Clutch, but I think I would like to be him!
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Alex,
Sometimes reaching into the bank of obscurity is good … well, at least it’s a learning experience. Meanwhile, you can watch many episodes on YouTube. Thanks for stopping by.
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I remember coming home from school and watching Clutch Cargo. I thought it was great.
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Debra,
You just made my day about not only remembering Clutch Cargo, but also watching him. I thought that the reason it went off the air was that John was the only one watching! Thanks for commenting.
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Never seen this one before… I wonder what the cost were then as to what they are today… interesting post thanks Frank
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Bulldog,
OK for not knowing this one, and awesome question about cost … but I wouldn’t have any idea on where to start on that one – especially given the numerous ways to animate today! Thanks for stopping by.
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Reblogged this on Topstarmusic4u.com.
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Never heard of this one before. Thanks for the introduction. Fun. Gotta love Clutch – don’t know many people that boast about having headhunters as friends. I like that. 🙂
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Mobius,
For whatever reason, Clutch wasn’t on my radar way back when, but the long-time visitor here that I mentioned in the post has been boasting about him for some time – and without him knowing, I decided to go with it. Interesting story about the animation. Thanks for commenting.
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Congrats. Another new one to me. And the animation, actually it makes Captain Pugwash look good. Ah ha, now that might be a suggestion for future use 😉
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Fasab,
Touche – you didn’t know Clutch Cargo, and I still don’t know Captain Pugwash! Thanks for the suggestion.
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Check the Capt. out on youtube. It’s so dated it’s actually quite funny.
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Oh … I plan on it!
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I’m still creeped out by Clutch Cargo.
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Jules,
Ah ha … is it Clutch or the one who suggested it? 😉 I couldn’t resist. Thanks for commenting.
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I don’t think he made it to the UK Frank
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GFB,
That’s OK … heck, maybe a benefit. (Couldn’t resist that for John). Thanks for stopping by.
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I have zero knowledge of clutch. Something to learn about. Thanks.
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Rich,
Cheers to learning! … and I learned too in my research because I didn’t know squat about Clutch! Thanks for stopping by.
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Synch-vox is still present in the industry, even after the wide acceptance of CGI. I love the use of paneling in these. It was in its infancy when these were being made. I especially like the incorporation of live action in the middle ground. The backdrops they are using are very good paint over photograph. While expensive, even at the time, it is apparent their largest expense was the synch-vox.
You got a new audience member. Little V started animating before she could speak. We go through a lot of animation history here.
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Red,
Many thanks for your sharing your animation knowledge – especially because I don’t know squat about it! I must say that the video explaining this cartoon’s animation was interesting. BTW – with my Saturday Morning Cartoon posts, I most commonly feature a cartoon character from my youth – after all, cartoons is how many of us spent Saturday morning. Thanks for sharing!
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I have had the lifelong fascination with it. I grew up on the WWII staples, which were more about social commentary than truly about entertaining children. When the revival of the dramatic cartoon arrived with the Simpsons, I was amazed how many thought it was a revolutionary idea. It was merely one which fell out of practice during Disney’s golden age and reign over the industry.
I could do posts on this. It is all very fascinating.
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Red,
Wow – great info … definitely do a post or two on this topic … and I’ll make sure those who enjoy this series know to visit!
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I can, but it will have to be after the new year. I am booked for DEC and need to launch my new site. After that, you got it.
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No problem … looking forward to it whenever it occurs!
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A discovery for me.
Thanks !
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Doggy,
No problem … consider it a learning experience. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
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I’ve never even heard of Clutch Cargo. But you know, when I heard that 11 seconds, I just think ‘howzabout that voice over’. It was so animated, “In another EXciting episode…..” Loved that.
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Eyes,
Although I didn’t know Clutch either, I found it interesting that he was the forerunner for Jonny Quest – which I regularly watched! Thanks for stopping by … and I hope all is well.
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😀 Frank, I got nuthin’ except to say, on a day when I’m feeling truly rotten, you made it a whole lot brighter – and it’s after sunset! Thank you, sir, you are truly one of the noblest people on the Net, if not on the face of the planet! 😀
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John,
Not only am I glad that you enjoyed this, but it obviously caught you by surprise. After all, if you would have known it was on the way, you may have not slept for days. Glad this post also caught you at a good time.
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I think that it’s fitting that while I’m sipping a glass of super lousy Tempranillo I’m watching super lousy animation. If Clutch Cargo had a taste, Frank, it would be this super lousy Tempranillo. Since I both like and respect you, no way will I stain your lovely site with the name of this “bodily fluid” disguised as wine that I’m quaffing, but I am sure Listerine mixed with cola would taste far better. I don’t think the greatest French or Californian red could do anything to make that abomination, Clutch Cargo, look good. It’s possible that I did catch a few seconds of him in my long lost youth, but even as kid, I had standards whenever it came to cartoon watching or comic book reading. Clutch was far beneath mine. That said, I always appreciate your Saturday morning cartoon posts and they even rock later on Saturday evening.
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Lame,
Ouch … bad wine and a bad cartoon is not a good combination. At least a bad cartoon one can turn off, but a bad wine is another story – so, I hope the wine was good enough to at least finish. Never to be bought again, but finished! Meanwhile, I did have a feeling you may pan this one … which is still OK because I value your take! Better luck next time on the Tempranillo, which I normally enjoy. Name of the bad one please? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, but not your wine. 😉
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I emailed you that info privately. I’m serious about not polluting your site with its name. So, check you inbox — or maybe the name went straight to where it belongs, your spam folder.
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Got it .. and thanks for valuable info!
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You’re welcome buddy!
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LOVE this, Frank! I’ve never even heard of this and really enjoyed it =)
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Squishy,
From reader reactions, I fear Clutch may be at the obscurity level. Thanks for stopping by.
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This is totally new to me, Frank. Thanks for the share. 🙂
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Paradise,
As it was to me! Thanks for visiting.
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Clutch Cargo is kind of a great name for a pervy kinda guy.
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Seashells,
I have to say that Clutch Cargo is a great name for a cartoon character. Thanks for commenting.
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Well Frank — you found a cartoon I didn’t watch. Apparently there were other things I did some Saturdays. But thanks — I can still waste time 😉 happily!
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Elyse,
That’s ok … maybe he was on an opposite channel of something you did watch – or on a cable station that didn’t exist. Keep in mind, Erickson loves this one! Thanks for stopping by.
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This is very cool, new to me. Isn’t amazing the early ingenuity.
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Val,
Gotta appreciate anyone willing to learn something new … even if it is cartoons. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
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What a flash-back. Thanks. You know, i never liked Clutch when I was a kid; too cheesy and “fake”. Now I know why..low budget cartooning. I can appreciate that. The characters however, where well drawn.
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Hansi,
Woo hoo … I was hoping you would see this one! Thanks for coming through!
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Another gap has been filled in my cartoon knowledge.
Good one Frank!
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Guapo,
Glad to be of assistance in heightening cartoon knowledge. Thanks for stopping by.
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Cool blast from the past!
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Hook,
Thanks … but do you recall him? I ask because many don’t! Thanks for visiting.
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I remember the name, but that’s all!
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Good enough of an answer … after all, that is a great name for a character!
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