Lion Tracks

Lion Tracks

September 30, 1961 TV Episode Snagglepuss

Studio
Hanna-Barbera Studios
Distributor
Screen Gems

Synopsis

The railroad company is trying to go through the home of Snagglepuss, so they hire Major Minor to eradicate the lion.

Characters

Snagglepuss, Major Minor, Railroad Track Workers, Choo-Choo Railroad President, Chutney

Credits

Directing

Director
William Hanna, Joseph Barbera

Producing

Producer
William Hanna, Joseph Barbera

Writing

Writer
Michael Maltese
Story Director
Art Davis

Voices

Voice
Daws Butler (Snagglepuss, Railroad Track Worker 1, Chutney), Don Messick (Major Minor, Railroad Track Worker 2, Jack, Choo-Choo Railroad President)

Music

Music
Hoyt Curtin

Animation

Animator
Hicks Lokey

Editing

Editor
Hank Gotzenberg, Greg Watson

Crew

Layouts
Tony Rivera
Background
Robert Gentle
Titles
Lawrence Goble
Production Supervision
Howard Hanson

Production notes

A segment on The Yogi Bear Show.

Projecting an air of sophistication and fancying himself as something of a bon vivant, actor and a poet, Snagglepuss's mountain lion origins dictate he spent much of his time in the gun sights of hunters or having to escape capture from zoos or circuses. His passion for classic literature came through in his frequent (mis)quotes of Shakespearean phrases or passages. Uttered his catchphrase, "Heavens to Mergatroyd!" when he was surprised or alarmed, or the even more popular "Exit...stage left (or right)" before running off screen when attempting to escape danger.

Snagglepuss may- or may not!- have started off in an episode of Quick Draw McGraw in 1959. The episode Lamb Chopped"" featured a character very similar in design called Snaggletooth. Despite the name difference and a more orange color, he definitely formed the seed of the Snagglepuss character. In addition to his initial Quick Draw McGraw Show appearance, Snagglepuss got work as a supporting character on Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy and with Snooper And Blabber before getting his own segment on The Yogi Bear Show in 1961.

Snagglepuss found himself in conflict with a different adversary in nearly every episode. The only recurring supporting character in the series was Major Minor, an otherwise successful big game hunter whose one failure was bagging Snagglepuss. Major Minor's membership with The Adventurers Club was always in jeopardy because of this embarrassment.

When his own series ended, Snagglepuss went on to appear in a variety of made for TV specials, as well as becoming a regular cast member of several brand new series, including Yogi's Gang (1973), Scooby's All Star Laff-A-Lympics (1977), Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985) and Yo Yogi! (1991).

Pictures

Reviews

MPT Coverage: Lion Tracks

MattPriceTimeApril 1, 2012

A chance to cover something different, i choose the Lion Tracks episode of Snagglepuss From memory this one has to be one of my favorite Snagglepuss shorts. I remember the gag line Snagg throws at the Major throughout the episode to a tee. I enjoy their interactions very much in this episode that makes me highly excited when thinking about it. Our basic plot for the seven minute short brings us Snagglepuss is living in a mountain cave where the railroad wants to put their tracks going through his home. They decided to call in good ole Major Minor to try and help the situation. Typical cartoon hijinks ensue. Well we have two major characters and a few minor characters (and Major Minor is on the major side haha) Snagglepuss is at the top of his game in this episode and the Major is as well. The other guys are just filler to progress the story but no real downside to them. I can rewatch this short any time and still laugh at it. I love this short which is why it's one of my favorite Snagglepuss ones. The gags are great, especially the end one. Just a fun time with our favorite mountain lion ham. If i have to bestow a rating on this episode i give it a 10/10 A