Joseph Barbera
Television Animation / Creator/ Producer
About This Interview
Joseph Barbera (1911-2006) was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Studio City, CA. Barbera discussed his start as a young animator at the Van Beuren Studios in New York, before his move to California and MGM's cartoon studio. He recalled working for executive Fred Quimby, and his eventual partnership with William Hanna at MGM. This collaboration with Hanna ultimately led to their own cartoon production company, and Barbera shared many stories about the creation of some of their more memorable characters, including: "Tom and Jerry," "Yogi Bear," "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," and the "Smurfs." B-roll consisted of a few Hanna-Barbera related photos including an early studio still with Daws Butler, Don Messick, William Hanna, and Joe Barbera. The interview was conducted by Leonard Maltin on February 26, 1997.
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Watch Interview Highlights
Watch By Chapter
- Chapter 1
- On his early years and education.
- Chapter 2
- On his early work as an animator; on the differences between Walt Disney and Warner Bros. animation.
- Chapter 3
- On the formation of his partnership with William Hanna; on their work on Tom and Jerry; on selling Ruff and Ready, Huckleberry Hound and Yogi; on theme songs
- Chapter 4
- Full Chapter Four
- Chapter 5
- On the creation of Jonny Quest, and The Jetsons; the sale of the company; producing Charlotte's Web
- Chapter 6
- On The Smurfs, The Jetsons, and Jonny Quest; on the live-action TV movie The Gathering; on contemporary animation
- Chapter 7
- On the highlights of his career; on his thoughts on Walt Disney, Tex Avery, Mel Blanc, and others.
