George of the Jungle

This article is about the 1967 animated TV series. For the 2007 television series, see George of the Jungle (2007 TV series). For the 1997 film, see George of the Jungle (film).

George of the Jungle
Cover to a George of the Jungle VHS tape
Created by	Jay Ward Bill Scott
Directed by	Gerard Baldwin Frank Braxton Pete Burness Paul Harvey Jim Hiltz Bill Hurtz Lew Keller John Walker
Starring	Bill Scott Paul Frees June Foray Daws Butler
Opening theme	Stan Worth Sheldon Allman
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	17 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Ponsonby Britt, O.B.E. Jay Ward Bill Scott
Producers	Jay Ward Bill Scott
Running time	30 minutes with commercials
Production company	Jay Ward Productions
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	September 9 (1967-09-09) – December 30, 1967 (1967-12-30)

George of the Jungle is an American animated television series produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott, who created The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The character George was inspired by the story of Tarzan and a cartoon characterization of George Eiferman (Mr. America, Mr. Universe, IFBB Hall of Famer) drawn by a cook on his mine sweeper in the Navy during World War II. It ran for 17 episodes on Sunday mornings from September 9 to December 30, 1967, on the American television network ABC.

Program format

Each episode featured three segments in the form of three unrelated cartoons: George of the Jungle, Tom Slick, and Super Chicken. Each of the cartoons ended with a strike on the Tympani (Kettledrum), which changed to an ascending tone, following a bad pun.

Unlike previous Ward series, the animation production was done in Hollywood using veteran animators Phil Duncan, Rod Scribner, and Rudy Zamora, among others. Each segment's theme song was written by the team of Stan Worth and Sheldon Allman, though the cartoons themselves had little or no music scoring, as with Bullwinkle. Ward mainstays Bill Scott, June Foray, Paul Frees, and Daws Butler provided most of the character voices over all three segments.

The cartoons are technically more advanced than the rather crude animation in Ward's earlier series, which originated from Gamma Productions, a Mexican studio sponsored by Ward. He was so pleased with George of the Jungle that he allowed production to go over-budget, which resulted in considerable financial loss, ultimately limiting the series to 17 episodes.

The complete series is available now on DVD.

Theme song lyrics

George, George, George of the Jungle,
Strong as he can be.
(Tarzan yell) Watch out for that tree!

George, George, George of the Jungle
Lives a life that's free.
(Tarzan yell) Watch out for that tree!

When he gets in a scrape,
He makes his escape
With the help of his friend,
An ape named Ape.
Then away he'll schlep on his elephent Shep
While Fella and Ursula stay in step...

With George, George, George of the Jungle
Friend to you and me.
(Tarzan yell) Watch out for that tree!
Watch out for that... (Tarzan yell ... "Oooh!") tree!

George, George, George of the Jungle,
Friend to you and me!

Segments

George of the Jungle

The title segment, George of the Jungle, is a parody of the Tarzan stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs. George (voiced by Bill Scott) is a dim-witted but big-hearted "ape man" who is always called upon by District Commissioner Alistair (voiced by Paul Frees) to save inhabitants of the jungle from various threats.

In the opening title, George is depicted swinging on vines, repeatedly slamming face-first into trees or other obstacles even as theme-song singers warn him to "watch out for that tree!" Another running gag is that George keeps forgetting that he lives in a treehouse, falling to the ground every time he leaves home.

George's "beloved mate" is Ursula (voiced by June Foray), a Jane-like character far brighter than George, whom George refers to as "Fella." George's closest friend is an ape named Ape (voiced by Paul Frees impersonating Ronald Colman) who, like Ursula, is far more intelligent than George. George has a pet elephant named Shep, who behaves like a lap dog, or, as George refers to him, a "great big peanut-lovin' poochie," and who George thinks is a dog. Also of note is the Tooky Tooky (or Tookie Tookie) bird famous for his call: "Ah ah ee ee tooky tooky!"

George's two most frequent foes are a pair of stereotypical hunters named "Tiger" Titheridge and "Weevil" Plumtree (voiced by Daws Butler and Paul Frees). Tiger, the taller of the two, wears a pith helmet and khakis, has a pencil moustache, and speaks in a poncy Oxford accent, while Weevil talks like a pirate and wears a white t-shirt and shorts with a bush hat. Another one of George's recurring enemies is a mad scientist named Dr. Chicago (voiced by Daws Butler).

Tom Slick

Main article: Tom Slick (TV series)

Tom Slick features the title character (voiced by Bill Scott), a racecar driver who competes in races with his trusty vehicle, the Thunderbolt Greaseslapper. He is accompanied by his girlfriend, Marigold (voiced by June Foray), and his elderly mechanic, Gertie Growler (also voiced by Bill Scott). Tom's chief antagonists are Baron Otto Matic (voiced by Paul Frees) and his lackey, Clutcher (voiced by Daws Butler), whom the Baron often hits across the head with a monkey wrench.

Super Chicken

Main article: Super Chicken

Super Chicken features the title character (voiced by Bill Scott), a superhero (who, in "real life", is wealthy Henry Cabot Henhouse III) with a lion sidekick named Fred (voiced by Paul Frees). Super Chicken usually begins their adventures with the battle cry, "Quick, Fred, to the Super Coop," and when Fred comments on his latest injury, responds with a variation of the theme, "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it." Following his own mistakes, Super Chicken remarks, "I'm glad no one was here to see that!"

Episodes

Each of the following episodes consists of a George of the Jungle cartoon, a Super Chicken cartoon, and a Tom Slick cartoon.

No.	George of the Jungle	Super Chicken	Tom Slick	Airdate
N-1	The Sultan's Pearl	The Zipper	The Bigg Race	September 9, 1967
The Sultan's Pearl: The Sultan's most priceless treasure, a 300 pound pearl, has been stolen by "Tiger" Titherage and "Weevil" Plumtree and George tries to get it back. The Zipper: The elusive fiend dubbed The Zipper plans to blow up the world; Super Chicken and Fred try to track him down using his "zip code." The Bigg Race: A wealthy man named Tiny Bigg is sponsoring a race Tom Slick must win so Gertie can pay the mortgage on her garage. Can Tom outsmart the dishonest Baron Otto Matic?
N-2	The Malady Lingers On	One of our States is Missing	Monster Rally	September 16, 1967
The Malady Lingers On: Shep is sick and the simple country witch doctor called by George requires three items for a cure that are hard to obtain. One of our States is Missing: The villainous Appian Way has stolen Rhode Island. Monster Rally: Tom races in a "monster rally" against actual monsters, including a vampire, a Frankenstein's monster and a werewolf.
N-3	Ungawa the Gorilla God	The Oyster	Snow What	September 30, 1967
Ungawa the Gorilla God: George is forced by the Boondockie tribe to fight Ungawa, the Gorilla God, with both hands tied behind his back. The Oyster: A criminal disguised as an actual oyster steals the world's largest pearl. Snow What: Baron Otto Matic wagered all he had that he would win a snowmobile race, but Tom Slick had the Thunderbolt Grease-Slapper modified to enter the race.
N-4	Oo-oo Birds of a Feather	Wild Ralph Hiccup	Send In a Sub	September 23, 1967
Oo-oo Birds of a Feather: A trend involving the tail feathers of the Oo-oo Birds has poachers flocking to harvest them, including "Tiger" Titherage and "Weevil" Plumtree. Wild Ralph Hiccup: A wily robber named Wild Ralph Hiccup (with a speech pattern resembling an obvious parody of John Wayne) robs airplane passengers at gunpoint, before diving out into the wild blue yonder. Super Chicken and Fred are soon hot on his trail-even if it means taking 26 flights back and forth from Miami, Florida, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for four straight days. Send In a Sub: An undefeated submarine racing champion is known as "Lucky Pool" for the misfortunes keeping his opponents from winning. Is he lucky enough to remain undefeated when Tom Slick challenges him?
N-5	Monkey Business	The Elephant Spreader	I Was Railroaded	October 14, 1967
Monkey Business: Ape is ape-napped. The Elephant Spreader: Elephants are popping up all over the world, and their added weight is tilting the Earth on its axis. The brains behind the world-tipping scheme is India's Prince Blackhole of Calcutta, who has concocted this scheme so that it can snow in India. I Was Railroaded: Tom and Gertie enter a train race.
N-6	The Desperate Showers	Rotten Hood	The Cupp Cup Race	October 28, 1967
The Desperate Showers: Can George save Ursula from being sacrificed to the Great Ju-Ju by a rain-crazy witch doctor? Rotten Hood: Tired of stealing acorns from the squirrels residing in Sherwood Park, Rotten Hood decides to steal from the rich and keep the loot. The Cupp Cup Race: In this episode Tom is racing in the Sir Thomas Cupp Cup Race. The prize is the diamond studded Sir Thomas Cupp Cup, $50,000, and a year’s supply of Sir Thomas Cupp’s Jams and Jellies made from reconstituted catfish whiskers. (Blechh!). For this race, Tom had to convert the Thunderbolt Grease-Slapper into a supersonic speedboat. “There’s no such word as never in speedboat racing, Marigold.” Tom is up against the Ten Putt Tide Ripper, the Back Burning Beach Bunny, and the Twin Pod Surf Slurper driven by the internationally known sissy Amsome Snobsworth V and his girlfriend Wilma Willow. Barron Otto Matic is not in this race, but Tom still has to deal with cheating from Amsome Snobsworth V. We learn that Gertie knows karate as she helps Tom out of his first jam of being tied to the dock at the start. “There’s no such word as stop in speedboat racing, Marigold.” Gertie is also capable of some mean water skiing in her hippy boots. Unfortunately Amsome has a sea monster named Ringo Starfish (with one R) to swallow Tom. Spoiler Alert: Luckily Gertie renegotiated the deal and promised Ringo Starfish a year’s supply of Sir Thomas Cupp's Jams and Jellies made from reconstituted catfish whiskers (Blechh!).
N-7	Little Scissor	The Easter Bunny	The Great Balloon Race	October 7, 1967
Little Scissor: Tiny Tony Tuxedo the Tip-Top Tailor from Tanganyika (a.k.a. Little Scissor) and his pygmies are committing crimes in the jungle and the city. The Easter Bunny: It appears the Easter Bunny has turned to crime, robbing banks across the greater Pittsburgh area. But upon further investigation by Super Chicken and Fred, the culprit is actually Louie the Laughin, who was wearing an Easter Bunny disguise. Louie's plan is to dye US currency, because he has grown tired of the color green. The Great Balloon Race: This episode features the 9th Annual Balloon Race across the English Channel. Tom Slick is the favorite to win. “There’s no such word as blow up in balloon racing, Marigold. Of course that doesn’t mean it never happens.” He is up against the Flying Salami piloted by Falinni Scalapinni; the Tokyo Teensy, the world’s only transistorized balloon; the Stanley Steamer who plans to win with some British racing luck; and Baron Otto Matic with his toady Clutcher. Poor Clutcher gets hit on the head 4 times with a monkey wrench. The Stanley Steamer was shot down with the starting gun, Clutcher popped the Tokyo Teensy and Falinni Scalapinni tried to eat the Flying Salami. After some British racing luck, Clutcher and Gertie row like they have never rowed before to catch up with the Baron. With Marigold’s help, a twist of fate (and his cannon) downs the Baron’s balloon, allowing Tom to win as the only balloon to finish the race.
N-8	Next Time, Take the Train	The Geezer	Dranko the Dragster	October 21, 1967
Next Time, Take the Train: Dr. Chicago has developed a formula that causes all insects to become strong and aggressive. The Geezer: A cantankerous old Geezer has stolen the world-famous geyser, "Old Faceful." Dranko the Dragster: In one of the fastest growing sports, Dick Two-Lane announces for the Forthcoming Drag Classic, sponsored by Arnold Forthcoming, the magnet king. Tom is up against the drag racing movie star, Steve McQueasy and his widescreen big wheeler; Harley Angel and his switch-blade top chopper; and for the first time a racer from outer space, Dranko the Dragster from the planet Merth. Gertie recently set the world speed record of 81 mph on her jet powered skateboard. “There’s no such word as indecision in drag racing, Marigold.” Spoiler Alert: After Dranko drops a power pill into Gertie’s skateboard, Tom is able to win the race and save Gertie at the same time. Dranko gets his just deserts thanks to tough guy Harley Angel.
N-9	The Trouble I've Seed	The Noodle	Overstocked	November 11, 1967
The Trouble I've Seed: Dr. Chicago has developed a formula that causes all plants to become sentient. The Noodle: Super Chicken and Fred try to capture the Noodle, whose name comes from his many elaborately-thought out plans. However, one of his plans causes Super Chicken to develop amnesia. With nowhere else to turn to, Fred dons the mantle of his friend and tries to catch the Noodle himself. Overstocked: Tom Slick modifies the Thunderbolt Greaseslapper to enter it in a stock car race against Sweet Willy Rollbar.
N-10	Big Flop at the Big Top	Salvador Rag Dolly	Sneaky Sheik	December 2, 1967
Big Flop at the Big Top: Salvador Rag Dolly: Crooked toymaker Salvador Rag Dolly uses large wind-up toys to infiltrate birthday parties and make off with household valuables. Super Chicken tries to stop the dastardly fiend, but soon comes face-to-face with Rag Dolly's latest creation: a wind-up toy Super Chicken. Sneaky Sheik: Tom is racing in the desert but one of his rivals, the Sneaky Sheik, has sabotaged the Thunderbolt Grease-Slapper.
N-11	Rescue is My Business	Merlin Brando	The Apple-less Indian 500	November 25, 1967
Rescue is My Business: A greedy man becomes George's "manager" and is encouraging him to make people pay for being rescued. Ape does not mind George collecting pay, but thinks the manager is exploiting him. Merlin Brando: A hermit wizard named Merlin Brando lives on the Isle of Lucy with his magic mirror. His mirror flatters Merlin with praise that he is the greatest one of all, until the mirror sees Super Chicken on the television. Declaring there is not room in the world for 'two greatests,' Merlin decides to eliminate Super Chicken. The Apple-less Indian 500: Some Indians learned the worst way that apples do not grow in the desert. Now their land is the set of a motorized wheel race.
N-12	Dr. Schpritzer, I Presume?	The Fat Man	Double Cross Country Race	November 18, 1967
Dr. Schpritzer, I Presume?: Famous gall bladder surgeon, Dr. Schpritzer, goes missing and it is up to George and Ape to find him, but someone does not want him found... The Fat Man: The priceless Maltese Duck has been stolen by The Fat Man, an obese man in a brown suit. Double Cross Country Race: This is the annual cross country race from Muncie, Indiana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tom and that twisted evil genius and fussy eater, Baron Otto Matic, are racing for the Muncie to Pittsburgh trophy. At the start of the race, Baron Otto Matic gives Tom his trusty (and phony) road map. It frames Tom, Marigold, and Gertie by leading them in the least direct route through the boondocks of Arizona to Glendale, California. Poor Clutcher gets 2 conks on the head with a wrench. We do learn that the great thing about Pittsburgh is that it gets you out of Muncie. In the Ohio Desert, they barely escape the Cleveland Indians as Tom has driven his first no hitter. “There’s no such word as quit in racing, Marigold.” Apparently the word grit does exist in racing. Spoiler Alert: Tom is able to win after the Baron gets stuck on the cloverleaf, then stuck in Friday afternoon traffic, and finally gets a ticket for driving through a red light, thanks to Gertie’s clever motorcycle cop disguise.
N-13	Chi Chi Dog	Briggs Bad Wolf	Cheap Skate Board Derby	December 9, 1967
'Chi Chi Dog: George is sent on a mission to bring back the rare and precious Chi Chi Dog and finds out just how rare they really are. Briggs Bad Wolf: Stage actor Briggs Bad Wolf becomes so enamored in his role that he believes that he really is a villain, and he kidnaps the stage production's female lead Red Ridinghood. Cheap Skate Board Derby: All the parts of the Thunderbolt Grease-Slapper (now the Thunderbolt Grease-Slipper) are transistorized so Tom can enter a motorized skateboarding race.
N-14	Treasure of Sarah Madre	The Laundry Man	Irish Cheapstakes	November 4, 1967
Treasure of Sarah Madre: George and the District Commissioner follow a map to the treasure of Sarah Madre while evading "Tiger" Titherage and "Weevil" Plumtree. The Laundry Man: Shrimp Chop Phooey runs a money laundering racket disguised as a Chinese laundry. When he and his Number One Son make off with their customers' ill-gotten cash, Super Chicken and Fred must stop them and return the money to its rightful owners—the crooks. Irish Cheapstakes: Violating the one-year ban from racing placed on him, Baron Otto Matic enters the Irish Cheapstakes under the name "Ott O'Matic".
N-15	A Man For All Hunting Seasons	The Muscle	The Badyear Blimp	December 16, 1967
A Man For All Hunting Seasons: Having hunted all possible kinds of animals, a hunter decides to hunt George. The Muscle: A bodybuilding criminal forces Super Chicken to exercise to exhaustion. Super Chicken attempts to recover his strength by drinking double-strength Super Sauce, but the volatile concoction proves too powerful for him. The Badyear Blimp: The Badyear Company sponsors a blimp race. Baron Otto Matic enters his lackey Clutcher in the race.
N-16	The Forest's Prime Evil	Dr. Gizmo	Swamp Buggy Race	December 23, 1967
The Forest's Prime Evil: George, Ursula and Ape are evicted from the jungle by the evil builder Jerry Mander to make room for a housing development. Hopefully, the powerful spirit Tee Nee Tee will come to their rescue. Dr. Gizmo: Super Chicken and Fred have their work cut out for them as they try to re-capture escaped gadget-inventing criminal mastermind Dr. Gizmo. Swamp Buggy Race: Trying to take advantage of Tom Slick's manners as a gentleman, Baron Otto Matic disguises himself as a woman.
N-17	Kings Back-to-Back	The Wild Hair	Mack Buster Trophy	December 30, 1967
Kings Back-to-Back: George must win re-election for King of the Jungle against Seymour Noodnik, the world's richest tycoon, who wants to dig up the jungle for the rare element whatchamacallium. The Wild Hair: A mad scientist creates the world's first living toupee; however, it soon grows out of control. Note: Susan Swivelhips makes a cameo at the middle. Mack Buster Trophy: Gertie mortgages her garage so Tom could afford to turn the Thunderbolt Grease-Slapper into an airplane and enter an airplane race.

Spin-offs

Comic book

Gold Key Comics published two issues of a comic book based on the series in 1969.

Films

In 1997, the segment was adapted into a live-action film, titled George of the Jungle. Brendan Fraser played the title role, with Leslie Mann as Ursula, John Cleese as the voice of Ape and Thomas Haden Church as the villain. A direct-to-video sequel, George of the Jungle 2, starring Christopher Showerman as George, was released in 2003.

2007 series

Main article: George of the Jungle (2007 TV series)

Main article: George of the Jungle (season 2)

Classic Media developed a new George of the Jungle Flash animation series 40 years later in 2007. It now utilizes a co-production. The new version of the series is co-produced with Studio B Productions and Teletoon Canada (with other studios also involved), and currently airs on Teletoon in Canada and on Cartoon Network in the United States (starting with a Christmas-themed episode December 21, 2007). The series was scheduled to air on Nicktoons in the United Kingdom and Disney Channel Asia in Southeast Asia. The series officially premiered on Cartoon Network on January 18. Both seasons are available digitally on iTunes.

The series initially ran 26 episodes, with two George stories per episode for a total of 52 stories. In 2016, 26 additional episodes were made, also with two George stories per episode.

DVD release

On February 12, 2008, Classic Media released a complete collection of the 1967 series, which included as a bonus feature the original pilot cartoons for both George of the Jungle and Super Chicken.

Reception

In 2002, TV Guide ranked George of the Jungle # 30 on its "50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time" list.

Cultural references

"Weird Al" Yankovic did a cover version of the George of the Jungle theme on his 1985 album Dare to Be Stupid, the only straight cover Yankovic ever released on an album, and which later appeared on the soundtrack of the 1997 live-action film. Another cover of the theme by The Presidents of the United States of America also appeared on the soundtrack and was the title theme for the film.

The Rhino Records 1989 release Rerun Rock: Superstars Sing Television Themes included a cover version performed in the style of "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin and sung by Scott Shaw.

External links

• George of the Jungle at IMDb
• Official Cartoon Network site
• George of the Jungle' at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016.