When it comes to cartoons, the 60s is truly a golden era. From the initiation of the era of Saturday morning cartoons to the bold experimentations with color and animation, the 60s were a time of charming, beloved, iconic cartoons that have endured the test of time and still fill us with nostalgia.
Below, we dive into a selection of ten must-see cartoons from the 60s that everyone grew up watching.
- The Flintstones
Let’s start the list with a classic. The Flintstones debuted in 1960, and has gained notoriety over the years as one of the most iconic cartoons of its time. Airy, light-hearted and set in the Stone Age, The Flintstones follows the everyday shenanigans of Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty as they navigate life’s everyday problems and dramas.
- The Jetsons
This endearing show premiered in 1962 and serves as a kitschy caricature of the future. Boasting a stellar cast of characters and uniquely designed vehicles, the show delved into the escapades of The Jetsons, a family living it up in a space-age future.
- Jonny Quest
Jonny Quest is a science-fiction based cartoon that was released in 1964 and was deemed too advanced for its time. With its special effects, mature stories, and sophisticated designs, Jonny Quest stood out from the rest and captivated viewers with its memorable characters and exciting storylines.
- Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
This classic television series first aired in 1969 and quickly gained enormous popularity. Centering around a group of teenage friends and their talking dog, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! offered more than just entertaining cats and capers. It also provided an early look at the kind of smarmy machinations that were often behind the seemingly sinister mysteries.
- Josie and the Pussycats
Debuting in 1970, Josie and the Pussycats follows the rock and roll trio as they travel around the country performing songs, solving mysteries, and learning lessons along the way. The show featured characters like Rio Pacheco, Alan M. Mayberry, and Valerie Brown, and highlighted a variety of topics related to women’s rights and working-class issues.
- Speed Racer
Speed Racer first aired in 1967 and quickly become a fixture in homes around the world. While the cartoon has developed cult status over the years, it was a huge hit in its time. Centering around the titular character and his Mach 5 race car, Speed Racer featured a unique aesthetic and high-octane action sequences that kept audiences glued to the screen.
- Magilla Gorilla
This show ran for five years, from 1964 to 1969, and features an ape of the same name. While Magilla Gorilla wasn’t always the brightest tool in the shed, he was always entertaining. As a kid, his fans were both amused and deeply moved when he expressed his love for the Pazedillays, Ogee, Punkin, Ninny, and his beloved Ms. Pocus.
- Honk and George
This classic cartoon was first aired in 1965 and follows the escapades of two birds named Honk and George. Darling and adorable, Honk and George fly around the heavens, encountering a variety of scenarios, while learning lessons and gaining valuable insight into the world that they inhabit.
- Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales
This classic show, first launched in 1963, follows the misadventures of Tennessee Tuxedo and his friend Chumley. Tennessee Tuxedo was an intelligent and clumsy penguin with an unwavering belief in right and wrong, and his episodes highlighted the importance of curiosity, friendship, and loyalty.
- Super Chicken
Super Chicken was first released in 1967 and stars Super Chicken and Fred, two close friends. Super Chicken was a strong, courageous bird gifted with superpowers, and his episodes saw him engage in witty banter, super feats, and comedic hijinks.
The Impact of Old But Gold Cartoons
These classic cartoons of the 60s serve several functions beyond just providing entertainment. Due to their early premiers and groundbreaking designs, these cartoons set a template for many of the future cartoons we would come to love.
Innovation
The 60s cartoons were the first introductions of many forms of cinematography and animation. Instead of just following traditional two-dimensional, hand-drawn animations like the cartoons of the 1940s and 1950s, the shows of the 1960s introduced three dimensional artwork and digital animation.
This new direction was led by Frank Snell who, in addition to creating the themes for These classic cartoons contributed to the artistry of, Jonny Quest and The Flintstones. In addition to Snell, the brain-power behind Jonny Quest was provided by the legendary duo of Ted and Mike, who took animation and character design to new heights by experimenting with digital cameras and television monitors during their production process.
Social Commentary
The humor, storylines, and characters found in the cartoons of the 60s were often deftly used to tackle social commentary.
The Jetsons, for example, were designed to be a parody of the 65s suburban lifestyle, with clearly defined roles for each family member and a vaguely defined job market as the backdrop for all their antics.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! famously satirized small-town USA with its use of overly gaudy landscapes and exaggerated accents. As the gang would unravel mystery after mystery, audiences were able to see the hidden evils of small-town America often masked behind highly constructed facades.
From the sophisticated science fiction of Jonny Quest to the social commentary in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, it is easy to see why classic cartoons like these have maintained their popularity over time. They have a timelessness that speaks to everyone, across generations.
No matter how much animation and storytelling have advanced in the past fifty years, people never seem to be short of a good reason to travel back to the 60s and relive a few episodes of the classic cartoons we all grew up watching.
