10.13.2011

Friday, October 13, 1961: 'Stokey the Bear'

This episode of the cartoon "Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties" (which premiered in September 1961 as part of NBC's "The Bullwinkle Show") got its creators in trouble with the government. The segment featured a bear that starts fires instead of preventing them (a takeoff on Smokey the Bear). Following protests from the U.S. Forest Service, the episode was withdrawn after a single showing. (Note: "The Moose That Roared," linked below, says the episode aired October 13, a Friday; however, "The Bullwinkle Show" was usually scheduled for Sunday nights. Not sure about the discrepancy.)

* Watch the episode: @
* "The Moose That Roared: The Story of Jay Ward, Bill Scott, a Flying Squirrel, and a Talking Moose" (book by Keith Scott): @
* "Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America" (book by Karl F. Cohen): @

No comments:

Post a Comment