The Ant and the Aardvark: Difference between revisions

*The Ant and the Aardvark*
The Ant and the Aardvark
DePatie–Freleng Enterprises characters
	The Ant (right) and the Aardvark (left)
First appearance	The Ant and the Aardvark (1969)
Voiced by	John Byner (1969-1995); In Pink Panther and Pals:; Ant: Kel Mitchell; Aardvark: Eddie Garvar/ John Over
In-universe information
Species	Ant (Charlie Ant); Aardvark (Blue Aardvark)
Gender	Male

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The Ant and the Aardvark is a series of 17 theatrical short cartoons produced at DePatie–Freleng Enterprises and released by United Artists from 1969 to 1971.^[1]

Plot

The cartoon series follows attempts of a blue aardvark named Aardvark (voiced by John Byner,^[2]^[3]^[4]) attempting to catch and eat a red ant named Charlie (also voiced by John Byner,^[2]^[3]^[4]), usually doing so by inhaling with a loud vacuum cleaner sound. The aardvark character is essentially unnamed; in the episode Rough Brunch, he claims his name is simply "Aardvark." Charlie Ant gives his nemesis a variety of names as sly terms of endearment (Ol' Sam, Ol' Ben, Ol' Blue, Claude, Pal, Buddy, Daddy-O).^[5] In several bumper sequences of The Pink Panther Show, he is called "Blue Aardvark." The voices of the main characters were clearly inspired by "Rat Pack" comedians of the 1960's. The ant's voice is based on Dean Martin's, and the Aardvark's is based on Jackie Mason.

Production

The Ant and the Aardvark series was originally released by United Artists. Seventeen theatrical shorts were produced in the original series, and were subsequently featured in various television syndication packages, usually shown with DFE's other characters such as the Pink Panther and The Inspector. Most of the 17 entries appear in their television syndication form (complete with an audible laugh track added by NBC-TV) on the video on demand service Amazon Video.

When The Ant and the Aardvark first appeared on The New Pink Panther Show in the fall of 1971, the series became wildly popular, so much in fact that the duo became a featured part of the NBC series.^[5] Even though the 17 entries remained popular throughout the broadcast run of The Pink Panther Show, no new entries were produced.^[5]

The series used several unique production techniques for the period. The aardvark's body was solid blue: his only clothes—a pair of blue shorts and matching T-shirt—were a matching blue. Similarly, Charlie Ant was solid red, and did not sport any clothing. As such, the character's solid colors allowed them to stand out clearly against the multi-colored backgrounds featured prominently in the series. Charlie also sported half-closed eyes, as a sign of a bon viveur.^[5]

Musical director Doug Goodwin was responsible for the jazzy music score. Goodwin assembled an established group of jazz session musicians to perform the series' theme music and musical cues. For the first time in animated cartoons, all six musicians—Ray Brown, Billy Byers, Pete Candoli, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Rowles and Tommy Tedesco—received on-screen credit.^[5]

Art Leonardi was responsible for the main title graphic for all DePatie-Freleng entries. For The Ant and the Aardvark series, Leonardi expanded on a technique first introduced for the first Pink Panther cartoon, The Pink Phink. This entailed tearing paper into the forms of objects and characters to form stylized images.^[5]

Additional characters

There were additional minor characters in the series. Among them were the following:

Computer (voiced by John Byner) - A computer that the aardvark built to help come up with ideas to catch the ant (Technology, Phooey)
Cousin Term the Termite (Rough Brunch)
Aunt Minerva - One of the Gi-ants (The Ant From Uncle)
Tiny the Elephant, an ape, and a look-alike of Roland (from another DePatie-Freleng series, Roland and Rattfink) - Charlie Ant's lodge brothers (Mumbo Jumbo)
An unnamed green aardvark - He is similar to the blue aardvark except barrel-chested instead of pot-bellied (I've Got Ants In My Plans, Odd Ant Out)
Tiger (voiced by Marvin Miller) - A tiger that helped Charlie (Scratch a Tiger)
A scientist (Science Friction)
A nurse at an animal hospital (voiced by Athena Lorde) - She tended to the ant and the aardvark when they ended up in her hospital (From Bed to Worse)
An anteater-eating shark (Isle of Caprice)
A nearsighted lifeguard - Despite wearing glasses, he tends to mistake the Aardvark for a dog (Dune Bug)
A toastmaster ant - An ant (I've Got Ants in My Plans)

German version

In German-dubbed versions of the cartoon, the male aardvark is transformed into a female anteater named Elise (Eliza). Charlie (voiced by Fred Maire) remains male; Elise is voiced by Marianne Wischmann. The cartoons are known under the title Die blaue Elise (Blue Eliza).

Filmography

All voices provided by John Byner unless otherwise noted.

No.	Title	Directed:	Story by:	Release date:	Additional voices:	Synopsis:
1	The Ant and the Aardvark	Friz Freleng	John W. Dunn	March 5, 1969		The ant spots a picnic and goes there to relax and collect some food. When the aardvark shows up, he tries to eat the ant.
2	Hasty But Tasty	Gerry Chiniquy	John W. Dunn	March 6, 1969		The aardvark uses something called "Instant Hole" to try to catch the ant. When it fails, his trick backfires on him.
3	The Ant from Uncle	George Gordon	John W. Dunn	April 2, 1969		The aardvark tries to invite the ant to a "Relaxation Club." The club is actually the aardvark's stomach.
4	I've Got Ants in My Plans	Gerry Chiniquy	John W. Dunn	May 14, 1969		The Blue Aardvark has a battle against another aardvark called the Green Aardvark to see who gets to eat the ant.
5	Technology, Phooey	Gerry Chiniquy	Irv Spector	June 25, 1969		The aardvark builds and programs a computer to help him try to catch the ant. He listens to the computer's advice, but it does not do the aardvark much good.
6	Never Bug an Ant	Gerry Chiniquy	David Detiege	September 12, 1969		The aardvark tries to use his vacuum inhale trick so he can have the ant for lunch.
7	Dune Bug	Art Davis	John W. Dunn	October 27, 1969		The aardvark finds the ant at a beach and tries to catch the ant like always; however, he must get past the nearsighted lifeguard, who believes he is a dog and will not allow him on the beach.
8	Isle of Caprice	Gerry Chiniquy	David Detiege	December 18, 1969		The aardvark is marooned on a deserted island, with another one full of ants in the distance. He tries to get to the other island by any means possible, but a shark will not make it easy for him.
9	Scratch a Tiger	Hawley Pratt	Irv Spector	January 28, 1970	Marvin Miller	A tiger who owes the ant a favor is tasked with keeping him and his fellow ants safe from the aardvark.
10	Odd Ant Out	Gerry Chiniquy	Sid Marcus	April 28, 1970		The Blue Aardvark and the Green Aardvark have another battle for who gets to eat a can of chocolate-covered ants.
11	Ants in the Pantry	Hawley Pratt	John W. Dunn	June 10, 1970		The aardvark takes over an exterminator's job for catching ants. The aardvark tries to get to get rid of the ant by, like always, trying to make him his meal.
12	Science Friction	Gerry Chiniquy	Larz Bourne	June 28, 1970		A scientist is trying to study the ant and will not let the aardvark ruin his studies.
13	Mumbo Jumbo	Art Davis	John W. Dunn	September 27, 1970		The ant, as a member of the Brothers of the Forest Lodge 202, has a gang of animal friends, especially an elephant, that will not let the aardvark eat the ant.
14	The Froze Nose Knows	Gerry Chiniquy	Dale Hale	November 18, 1970		A very heavy snowstorm hits the forest, forcing the aardvark to use winter-themed tactics to catch and eat the ant.
15	Don't Hustle an Ant with Muscle	Art Davis	Dale Hale	December 27, 1970		The ant discovers a jar of vitamin strength pills that make him have stronger and larger muscles, giving him the upper hand against the aardvark.
16	Rough Brunch	Art Davis	Sid Marcus	January 3, 1971		When the aardvark, yet again, tries to eat the ant, a termite helps the ant.
17	From Bed to Worse	Art Davis	John W. Dunn	June 16, 1971	Athena Lorde	The aardvark and the ant both get broken legs, so they are put in a hospital where the aardvark still tries to have the ant for lunch.

Credits

Producers: David H. DePatie, Friz Freleng
Directors: Friz Freleng, Hawley Pratt, Gerry Chiniquy, Art Davis
Story: John W. Dunn, Irv Spector, Dave Detiege, Sid Marcus, Larz Bourne, Dale Hale
Animation: Warren Batchelder, Manny Gould, Manny Perez, Don Williams, Art Leonardi, Robert Taylor, Bob Goe, Tom Ray, Lloyd Vaughan, Bob Richardson, John Gibbs, Phil Roman, Robert Bentley, Ken Muse, Irv Spence
Graphic Designers: Corny Cole, Dick Ung, Al Wilson, Lin Larsen
Voices: John Byner, Marvin Miller, Athena Lorde
Color Designer: Tom O'Laughlin, Richard H. Thomas
Title Cards: Art Leonardi
Production Supervisor: Jim Foss
Coordinator: Harry Love
Camera: John Burton Jr.
Film Editor: Lee Gunther
Musical Director: Doug Goodwin
Musicians:
- Ray Brown - bass
- Billy Byers - trombone
- Pete Candoli - trumpet
- Jimmy Rowles - piano
- Tommy Tedesco - guitar/banjo
- Shelly Manne - drums^[5]

Revivals

The first revival featured the characters as part on the 1993 incarnation of The Pink Panther. The characters remained unchanged, though unlike the original 1969-1971 cartoons, they do not appear in their own segments but rather are included in segments featuring the Pink Panther (now voiced by Matt Frewer). John Byner returned to voice both Charlie Ant and the Aardvark.^[5]

The second revival occurred in 2010 as part of Pink Panther and Pals. Eddie Garvar (occasionally John Over) voices the Aardvark, who retains his previous characterization. Kel Mitchell, using his natural voice, voices the Ant.

Home video

The complete series was digitally remastered and issued on its own single-disc DVD collection by MGM Home Entertainment/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 2007 as The Pink Panther and Friends Volume 5: The Ant and the Aardvark.^{[citation needed]}

The complete series reappeared in January 2009 as part of the DVD collection Pink Panther & Friends Classic Cartoon Collection by MGM Home Entertainment, a 9-disc DVD set containing all Pink Panther, Ant and the Aardvark, Inspector and (for the first time on DVD) Roland and Rattfink cartoons.^{[citation needed]}

The Ant and the Aardvark was released onto Region 1/A Blu-ray and DVD on 27 April 2016.^[6]

References

^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 51. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
^ ^a ^b Simonson, Robert (22 June 2004). "Sondheim, Lane and Stroman's The Frogs Finds a Lily Pad at Lincoln Center Beginning June 22". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
^ ^a ^b Scott, Vernon (26 July 1985). "JOHN BYNER IS THE MAN BEHIND CHARACTER'S VOICE". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
^ ^a ^b Jefferson, Graham (7 December 1993). "Pink Panther breaks silence // The cool cat acquires a voice from Matt Frewer". USA Today (subscription required). Retrieved 2009-08-10.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Beck, Jerry (2006). Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. pp. 38–39, 44–45, 102–103. ISBN 0-7566-1033-8. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ [1]

External links

Big Cartoon Database
"The Ant & the Aardvark" at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015.

[1] Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 51. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

[playbill-2] Simonson, Robert (22 June 2004). "Sondheim, Lane and Stroman's The Frogs Finds a Lily Pad at Lincoln Center Beginning June 22". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 2009-08-10.

[sun-sentinel-3] Scott, Vernon (26 July 1985). "JOHN BYNER IS THE MAN BEHIND CHARACTER'S VOICE". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-08-10.

[usa-today-4] Jefferson, Graham (7 December 1993). "Pink Panther breaks silence // The cool cat acquires a voice from Matt Frewer". USA Today (subscription required). Retrieved 2009-08-10.

[beck-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Beck, Jerry (2006). Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town. New York, New York: Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. pp. 38–39, 44–45, 102–103. ISBN 0-7566-1033-8. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

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@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 ==Plot==
-The cartoon series follows attempts of a blue [[aardvark]] named Aardvark (voiced by [[John Byner]],<ref name="playbill">{{cite news|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/86919-Sondheim_Lane_and_Stroman%27s_The_Frogs_Finds_a_Lily_Pad_at_Lincoln_Center_Beginning_June_22|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130131110502/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/86919-Sondheim_Lane_and_Stroman's_The_Frogs_Finds_a_Lily_Pad_at_Lincoln_Center_Beginning_June_22|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2013|title=Sondheim, Lane and Stroman's The Frogs Finds a Lily Pad at Lincoln Center Beginning June 22|authorlink1=Robert Simonson|last=Simonson|first=Robert|date=22 June 2004|publisher=Playbill|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref name="sun-sentinel">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/90961544.html?dids=90961544:90961544&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+26%2C+1985&author=Vernon+Scott%2C+United+Press+International&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=JOHN+BYNER+IS+THE+MAN+BEHIND+CHARACTER'S+VOICE&pqatl=google|title=JOHN BYNER IS THE MAN BEHIND CHARACTER'S VOICE|last=Scott|first=Vernon|date=26 July 1985|publisher=Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref name="usa-today">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/55222440.html?dids=55222440:55222440&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+07%2C+1993&author=Jefferson+Graham&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Pink+Panther+breaks+silence+%2F%2F+The+cool+cat+acquires+a+voice+from+Matt+Frewer&pqatl=google|title=Pink Panther breaks silence // The cool cat acquires a voice from Matt Frewer|last=Jefferson|first=Graham|date=7 December 1993|publisher=USA Today (subscription required)|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>) attempting to catch and eat a red ant named Charlie (also voiced by John Byner,<ref name="playbill"/><ref name="sun-sentinel"/><ref name="usa-today"/>), usually doing so by inhaling with a loud vacuum cleaner sound. The aardvark character is essentially unnamed; in the episode ''Rough Brunch'', he claims his name is simply "Aardvark." Charlie Ant gives his nemesis a variety of names as sly terms of endearment (Ol' Sam, Ol' Ben, Ol' Blue, Claude, Pal, Buddy, Daddy-O).<ref name=beck>{{cite book| last = Beck| first = Jerry| authorlink = Jerry Beck | coauthors =| title = Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town | publisher = Dorling Kindersley, Ltd.| year = 2006| location = [[New York, New York]]| pages = 38–39, 44–45, 102–103 | doi =| id = | isbn = 0-7566-1033-8}}</ref> In several bumper sequences of ''[[The Pink Panther Show]]'', he is called "Blue Aardvark."
+The cartoon series follows attempts of a blue [[aardvark]] named Aardvark (voiced by [[John Byner]],<ref name="playbill">{{cite news|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/86919-Sondheim_Lane_and_Stroman%27s_The_Frogs_Finds_a_Lily_Pad_at_Lincoln_Center_Beginning_June_22|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130131110502/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/86919-Sondheim_Lane_and_Stroman's_The_Frogs_Finds_a_Lily_Pad_at_Lincoln_Center_Beginning_June_22|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2013|title=Sondheim, Lane and Stroman's The Frogs Finds a Lily Pad at Lincoln Center Beginning June 22|authorlink1=Robert Simonson|last=Simonson|first=Robert|date=22 June 2004|publisher=Playbill|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref name="sun-sentinel">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/90961544.html?dids=90961544:90961544&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+26%2C+1985&author=Vernon+Scott%2C+United+Press+International&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=JOHN+BYNER+IS+THE+MAN+BEHIND+CHARACTER'S+VOICE&pqatl=google|title=JOHN BYNER IS THE MAN BEHIND CHARACTER'S VOICE|last=Scott|first=Vernon|date=26 July 1985|publisher=Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref name="usa-today">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/55222440.html?dids=55222440:55222440&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+07%2C+1993&author=Jefferson+Graham&pub=USA+TODAY+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Pink+Panther+breaks+silence+%2F%2F+The+cool+cat+acquires+a+voice+from+Matt+Frewer&pqatl=google|title=Pink Panther breaks silence // The cool cat acquires a voice from Matt Frewer|last=Jefferson|first=Graham|date=7 December 1993|publisher=USA Today (subscription required)|accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>) attempting to catch and eat a red ant named Charlie (also voiced by John Byner,<ref name="playbill"/><ref name="sun-sentinel"/><ref name="usa-today"/>), usually doing so by inhaling with a loud vacuum cleaner sound. The aardvark character is essentially unnamed; in the episode ''Rough Brunch'', he claims his name is simply "Aardvark." Charlie Ant gives his nemesis a variety of names as sly terms of endearment (Ol' Sam, Ol' Ben, Ol' Blue, Claude, Pal, Buddy, Daddy-O).<ref name=beck>{{cite book| last = Beck| first = Jerry| authorlink = Jerry Beck | coauthors =| title = Pink Panther: The Ultimate Guide to the Coolest Cat in Town | publisher = Dorling Kindersley, Ltd.| year = 2006| location = [[New York, New York]]| pages = 38–39, 44–45, 102–103 | doi =| id = | isbn = 0-7566-1033-8}}</ref> In several bumper sequences of ''[[The Pink Panther Show]]'', he is called "Blue Aardvark."   The voices of the main characters were clearly inspired by "Rat Pack" comedians of the 1960's.  The ant's voice is based on Dean Martin's, and the Aardvark's is based on Jackie Mason.
 ==Production==

v t e DePatie–Freleng Enterprises
Founders	David H. DePatie Friz Freleng
Theatrical shorts (original)	The Pink Panther (1964–1980) The Inspector (1965–1969) Roland and Rattfink (1968–1971) The Ant and the Aardvark (1969–1971) Tijuana Toads (1969–1972) The Blue Racer (1972–1974) Hoot Kloot (1973–1974) The Dogfather (1974–1976)
Commissioned by Warner Bros.	Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes (theatrical, 1964–1967) Bugs Bunny's Easter Special (CBS/TV special, 1977) Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales (CBS/TV special, 1979)
Television shorts	Misterjaw (1976) Crazylegs Crane (1978)
Television shows	The Super 6 (NBC, 1966–1969) Super President (NBC, 1967–1968) Here Comes The Grump (NBC, 1969–1970) The Pink Panther Show (NBC, 1969–1971) Doctor Dolittle (NBC, 1970–1971) The New Pink Panther Show (NBC, 1971–1976) The Barkleys (NBC, 1972–1973) The Houndcats (NBC, 1972–1973) Bailey's Comets (CBS, 1973–1975) The Oddball Couple (ABC, 1975–1977) Return to the Planet of the Apes (NBC, 1975–1976) The Pink Panther Laugh and a Half-Hour and a Half Show (NBC, 1976–1977) Baggy Pants and the Nitwits (NBC, 1977–1978) What's New, Mr. Magoo? (CBS, 1977–1979) Think! Pink Panther (NBC, 1978) The All New Pink Panther Show (ABC, 1978–1979) The Fantastic Four (NBC, 1978–1979) Spider-Woman (ABC, 1979–1980)
Television specials	The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (NBC/TV special, 1973) My Mom's Having a Baby (ABC/TV special, 1977) Where Do Teenagers Come From? (ABC/TV special, 1980)
Dr. Seuss Television specials	The Cat in the Hat (CBS/TV special, 1971) The Lorax (CBS/TV special, 1972) Dr. Seuss on the Loose (CBS/TV special, 1973) The Hoober-Bloob Highway (CBS/TV special, 1975) Halloween Is Grinch Night (ABC/TV special, 1977) Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? (ABC/TV special, 1980) The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (ABC/TV special, 1982)
See also	Marvel Productions Ltd. Saban Entertainment Here Comes the Grump (film) 1982 animators' strike

v t e The Pink Panther
Original films	The Pink Panther (1963) A Shot in the Dark (1964) Inspector Clouseau (1968) The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) Son of the Pink Panther (1993)
Reboot films	The Pink Panther (2006) The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Shorts	The Pink Panther (1964–1978) The Inspector Roland and Rattfink The Ant and the Aardvark Tijuana Toads The Blue Racer Hoot Kloot The Dogfather Misterjaw Crazylegs Crane
TV series	The Pink Panther Show (1969–1980) Pink Panther and Sons (1984–1985) The Pink Panther (1993–1995) Pink Panther and Pals (2010)
TV specials	A Pink Christmas (1978) Olym-Pinks (1980) Pink at First Sight (1981)
Video games	Pink Panther (1988) Pink Goes to Hollywood (1993) The Pink Panther: Passport to Peril (1996) The Pink Panther: Hokus Pokus Pink (1998)
Music	"The Pink Panther Theme" "It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio stasera)" "Check on It" "A Woman Like Me"
Characters	The Pink Panther Inspector Clouseau
Related	DePatie–Freleng Enterprises Panthermobile The Lionhearts Owens Corning Pink Panthers (jewel thief network) The Pink Panthers (LGBT rights organizations)
Category