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The 1980s was a golden era for TV animation. It was the decade of Thundercats, Inspector Gadget, Transformers, Ducktales, The Smurfs, He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, Care Bears, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Yet arguably, the best of them all was The Real Ghostbusters.
The show arrived at a time when studios were eager to translate box office gold into something palatable for younger audiences. It didn’t always quite go to plan, of course, as short-lived and ill-advised animated incarnations of everything from Rambo to The Karate Kid can attest.
But The Real Ghostbusters was different, running for 140 episodes across seven seasons.
It was a little different from the film. For one thing, the title had to be tweaked due to a dispute with Filmation, who was making an animated version...
The 1980s was a golden era for TV animation. It was the decade of Thundercats, Inspector Gadget, Transformers, Ducktales, The Smurfs, He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, Care Bears, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Yet arguably, the best of them all was The Real Ghostbusters.
The show arrived at a time when studios were eager to translate box office gold into something palatable for younger audiences. It didn’t always quite go to plan, of course, as short-lived and ill-advised animated incarnations of everything from Rambo to The Karate Kid can attest.
But The Real Ghostbusters was different, running for 140 episodes across seven seasons.
It was a little different from the film. For one thing, the title had to be tweaked due to a dispute with Filmation, who was making an animated version...
- 10/14/2023
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
With his piercing on-screen appeal, Ralph Fiennes (along with his film legacy) has proven to be anything but boring. Since his feature-length film debut in the 1992 version of "Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights" Fiennes has transformed into a cinematic force, with a range that continues to surprise viewers again and again. To some, he's known primarily for playing the iconic Lord Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" franchise, yet to others, he's known for portraying everything from dashing romantic leads to terrifying real world antagonists. Needless to say, Fiennes has done it all and then some.
But which of Fiennes many beloved performances stands in a class all their own? Well, with the help of this list, we hope to solve such a complicated puzzle. Featuring everything from his notable work on lesser-known gems to his franchise accomplishments, we'll take a look into the ever-evolving career of this talented performer to determine...
But which of Fiennes many beloved performances stands in a class all their own? Well, with the help of this list, we hope to solve such a complicated puzzle. Featuring everything from his notable work on lesser-known gems to his franchise accomplishments, we'll take a look into the ever-evolving career of this talented performer to determine...
- 3/11/2023
- by Dalin Rowell
- Slash Film
Despite writing one of the most rugged and enduring novels in all English literature before her 30th — and final — birthday, Emily Brontë spent the whole of her life in a suffocating environment that saw her brilliant imagination dampened at every turn. It was dampened by the patriarchy scared of her talent (“Wuthering Heights” was of course published under a pseudonym), by the individual men who knew her personally, and even sometimes by her own sisters, two of whom survived childhood to become accomplished writers themselves. Vindicating as it might be that Brontë’s one great book is still read widely some 200 years later, her remarkable victory over death pales in comparison to the poetic irony of her legacy: Few authors of any age have ever so inflamed public imagination by the mere fact of their existence.
In that light, it’s easy to appreciate why Brontë’s life so naturally...
In that light, it’s easy to appreciate why Brontë’s life so naturally...
- 9/10/2022
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Your childhood continues to be pillaged. Waterman Entertainment, the company currently working on new The Brave Little Toaster and Mr. Ed features, has announced that they’ve snapped up the rights to Heathcliff (aka Heathcliff and The Catillac Cats, if you’re cool like that). Well, fine. In a press release issued today, Waterman reveals that they have picked up the feature rights to chronicle the “mischievous” orange cat and his hijinks for some family-friendly material (crap, that actually sounds kind of sweet). The company’s Head of Development, Cooper Waterman, said about the deal, “When working in concert with the creators and rights holders, you are able to tap their wealth of knowledge on the character and ensure the storylines remain true to the brand and their global fan base. This will allow us to confidently present Heathcliff to a new generation and excite fans with new stories and plots.” Oh...
- 10/18/2012
- by Kate Erbland
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Family-based production outfit Waterman Entertainment has secured the feature rights to the iconic comic strip character Heathcliff, it was announced today by the company.s Head of Development, Cooper Waterman. The acquisition comes on the heels of the company making similar feature film deals with rights holders of the iconic family brands including The Brave Little Toaster and Mr. Ed. As is the case with those titles, Heathcliff will be reimagined as a CGI/live action film with contemporary storylines, while preserving the original essence that the respective right.s holders created for each of the characters.
George Gately created the comic strip in 1973. Heathcliff was born on the wrong side of the tracks in the bad part of town. When both his parents were locked up by the law, little Heathcliff was left to fend for himself. He grew up quick and he grew up mean, until one day...
George Gately created the comic strip in 1973. Heathcliff was born on the wrong side of the tracks in the bad part of town. When both his parents were locked up by the law, little Heathcliff was left to fend for himself. He grew up quick and he grew up mean, until one day...
- 10/18/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
If I’m being honest, I hadn’t know before watching The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show that Heathcliff, the mischievous feline of comic strip origins, had featured in another cartoon prior to his appearance in the series Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats (or that the later cartoon had “& the Catillac Cats” in its title). What’s even odder is that the two cartoons ran almost back to back; just as The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show finished its two-year run in 1982, the one I’m more familiar with began in 1984. And even odder still? The animation styles of the two cartoons look like they’re separated by over a decade. For lovers of classic animation The Heathcliff and Dingbat Show has some really creative and weird stuff (thanks to the Dingbat half). Even if the one-liners are painfully unfunny most of the time, the concept of a dog vampire, a cranky jack-o-lantern...
- 8/27/2012
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Even though George Gately’s “Heathcliff” comic strip beat Jim Davis’ “Garfield” to the comics page by nearly five years, the scoundrel never caught on quite as well as that other fat orange cat. However, if rights holders FitzRoy Media and partners Magic Lantern Entertainment have their way, Heathcliff could soon catch up on his appearances in animation and live-action film.
FitzRoy and Magic Lantern have partnered to produce all kinds of Heathcliff material, but their mission seems focused on reintroducing the property through animation before releasing a live-action followup film starring computer generated characters in the vein of “Garfield: The Movie.”
“He’s not your typical cuddly kitty cat. He’s a really cynical, wisecracking character who has a contemporary perspective we could do a lot with,” Magic Lantern president Jeff Segal told Variety regarding Heathcliff’s multimedia potential.
A potential animated feature would mark the first time “Heathcliff...
FitzRoy and Magic Lantern have partnered to produce all kinds of Heathcliff material, but their mission seems focused on reintroducing the property through animation before releasing a live-action followup film starring computer generated characters in the vein of “Garfield: The Movie.”
“He’s not your typical cuddly kitty cat. He’s a really cynical, wisecracking character who has a contemporary perspective we could do a lot with,” Magic Lantern president Jeff Segal told Variety regarding Heathcliff’s multimedia potential.
A potential animated feature would mark the first time “Heathcliff...
- 6/3/2009
- by Caleb Goellner
- MTV Splash Page
Irascible orange housecat Heathcliff is headed to the big screen courtesy of a joint venture between family toon studio Magic Lantern Entertainment and rights holder FitzRoy Media. The two companies have pacted to develop a range of properties, from direct-to-dvd toons to a potential live-action theatrical feature, around the character, updating the popular comic strip character for the 21st century. Created by George Gately in 1973, Heathcliff remains in print today, written and drawn by Gately's nephew, Peter Gallagher. The sarcastic cat previously starred in two, early-'80s animated shows; FitzRoy and Magic Lantern are re-evaluating Heathcliff's TV potential, though their hope is to create a live-action/CG hybrid similar to "Alvin and the Chipmunks" or "Garfield: The Movie."...
- 6/1/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Heathcliff will be getting a second life on the screen courtesy of a joint venture between family animation studio Magic Lantern Entertainment and rights holder FitzRoy Media, reports Variety . The two companies have signed a deal to develop a range of properties, from direct-to-dvd animated films to a potential live-action theatrical feature, updating the popular comicstrip character for the 21st century. Created by George Gately in 1973, the sarcastic Heathcliff remains in print today, written and drawn by Gately's nephew, Peter Gallagher. The hope is to create a live-action/CG hybrid similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks or Garfield: The Movie .
- 5/31/2009
- Comingsoon.net
20th Century Fox has signed director Tom Dey (Failure to Launch) to develop a big-screen adaptation of "Marmaduke," based on the Brad Anderson-created, decades-running newspaper comic strip about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954. The big dog then appeared in several animated episodes of "Heathcliff" and "Garfield and Friends." The studio declined comment on any specifics for the feature because the project is in the early stages of development. But Fox no doubt registered the huge response to the Fox 2000/Regency Enterprises 2007 hit "Alvin and the Chipmunks," directed by Tim Hill. The family comedy, which mixed live-action human characters and CG-animated rodent protagonists, grossed $358 million worldwide. A sequel, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," is in production for a Christmas Day release. The studio hasn't yet decided whether "Marmaduke" will be live-action, animated or a mix.
- 3/6/2009
- WorstPreviews.com
Fox has signed director Tom Dey to turn comic strip Marmaduke into a feature film, says The Hollywood Reporter. The Brad Anderson-created character, a Great Dane who belongs to the Winslow family, first appeared in newspapers in 1954. Marmaduke has also featured in animated series Heathcliff and Garfield And Friends. Fox has not yet decided if the movie will be live-action or computer animated. Marmaduke (more)...
- 3/6/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Fox has signed director Tom Dey to turn comic strip Marmaduke into a feature film, says The Hollywood Reporter. The Brad Anderson-created character, a Great Dane who belongs to the Winslow family, first appeared in newspapers in 1954. Marmaduke has also featured in animated series Heathcliff and Garfield And Friends. Fox has not yet decided if the movie will be live-action or computer animated. Marmaduke (more)...
- 3/6/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Fox obviously disagrees with W.C. Fields' admonition never to work with animals. It's a veritable zoo over in Century City.
The studio has signed director Tom Dey to develop a big-screen adaptation of "Marmaduke." Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954. The big dog then appeared in several animated episodes of "Heathcliff" and "Garfield and Friends."
The studio declined comment on any specifics for the feature because the project is in the early stages of development.
But Fox no doubt registered the huge response to the Fox 2000/Regency Enterprises 2007 hit "Alvin and the Chipmunks," directed by Tim Hill. The family comedy, which mixed live-action human characters and CG-animated rodent protagonists, grossed $358 million worldwide. A sequel, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," is in production for a Christmas Day release.
Additionally, Fox 2000/Regency's Christmas 2008 release "Marley & Me,...
The studio has signed director Tom Dey to develop a big-screen adaptation of "Marmaduke." Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954. The big dog then appeared in several animated episodes of "Heathcliff" and "Garfield and Friends."
The studio declined comment on any specifics for the feature because the project is in the early stages of development.
But Fox no doubt registered the huge response to the Fox 2000/Regency Enterprises 2007 hit "Alvin and the Chipmunks," directed by Tim Hill. The family comedy, which mixed live-action human characters and CG-animated rodent protagonists, grossed $358 million worldwide. A sequel, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," is in production for a Christmas Day release.
Additionally, Fox 2000/Regency's Christmas 2008 release "Marley & Me,...
- 3/5/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Hollywood Reporter says that 20th Century Fox has signed director Tom Dey to develop a big screen adaptation of Marmaduke . Brad Anderson created the decades-running newspaper comic strip, about a mischievous Great Dane who lives with the Winslow family, in 1954. The big dog then appeared in several animated episodes of "Heathcliff" and "Garfield and Friends." The trade added that the studio declined comment on any specifics for the feature because the project is in the early stages of development. It hasn't been decided whether Marmaduke will be live-action, animated or a mutt.
- 3/5/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Although he arrived first in 1973, Heathcliff was pretty quickly eclipsed as king of the cartoon cats by Garfield, who arrived just five years later. Created by George Gately, the strip was filled with gentle humor and was quickly added to papers turning him into a quiet star. The strip can be found in over 1000 newspapers via the Creators Syndicate.
After Gately passed away, the strip as taken over by his nephew, Peter Gallagher in 1998. Now, FitzRoy media has signed a comprehensive licensing deal with Gallagher that will include animated feature films, direct-to-dvd releases and location based entertainment projects.
The tabby has previously been seen in animated form starting with a 1980 animated series from Ruby-Spears which is noteworthy only because it was Mel Blanc’s last original voice role. Dic revived the character for a new series in 1984.
Additionally, Marvel’s Star Comics imprint release a comic book adaptation with new...
After Gately passed away, the strip as taken over by his nephew, Peter Gallagher in 1998. Now, FitzRoy media has signed a comprehensive licensing deal with Gallagher that will include animated feature films, direct-to-dvd releases and location based entertainment projects.
The tabby has previously been seen in animated form starting with a 1980 animated series from Ruby-Spears which is noteworthy only because it was Mel Blanc’s last original voice role. Dic revived the character for a new series in 1984.
Additionally, Marvel’s Star Comics imprint release a comic book adaptation with new...
- 9/10/2008
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
DIC Entertainment said Wednesday that it has reacquired rights to a slate of animated children's properties from the Walt Disney Co. and Jetix Europe for television, home entertainment and consumer products. As part of the deal, DIC will control various marketing and distribution rights for 750 half-hour episodes of brands it previously produced. Among the 20 television series in the deal are Care Bears (11 half-hours), Inspector Gadget (86 half-hours), Heathcliff (86 half-hours), Dennis the Menace (78 half-hours) and The Littles (29 half-hours). DIC said it will be offering the programs next month at MIPTV in Cannes.
- 3/23/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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