Thanks to likely-no-longer-existing credits, there are still a few mysteries about who lent their voices to some of the early Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
Mark Evanier and the late Earl Kress thought they solved one awhile ago. It’s evident that Daws Butler is not voicing Blabber Mouse in the first four Snooper and Blabber cartoons put into production. They came to the conclusion the actor was Jerry Hausner, a long-time professional baby-cryer on radio and one of the members of the voice stable at UPA. We documented it here.
Some time after the post, author Tim Hollis sent me a note and a DVD. He knew Jerry Hausner quite well and said, to his ear, it wasn’t Hausner at all. Furthermore, his DVD interview included Hausner talking about his unpleasant experience at Hanna-Barbera and didn’t mention anything about Blabber or any cartoons from the 1950s.
So, I put all this aside and didn’t think anything of it until the other day when I was doing some research and put on the season five Flintstones episode Super Stone. And then I heard a voice that sounded awfully familiar.
Compare the narrator in the first part of this to the newscaster in the second part. Doesn’t it sound like the same guy?
A Yowp post-script: since this note went up, Elliot has e-mailed me. We haven’t discussed many specifics but he has acknowledged his work on five cartoons on the Quick Draw McGraw series.
Excellent article here Yowp. I listened to those clips this morning. Since Elliott Field and Don Messick were the two selections for BOTH 1963's "Flintstone and the Lion" AND 1965-66's "Superstone", the end credits can make the two end title seem self same, if one only looks at the end credits, and if it HADN'T been for the two different seasons, as the Flintstone credits were done in smaller fonts [like the similiar transition in the 1953-55 WB cartoon credit lettering]. The other Elliot Field one was Alvin Brickrock as you noted, which would, with its early 60s "Screen Gems Chinese Fonts" [following the Dom Casual ones of the 50s], would NEVER be mistaken for the end credit sequence of either "Flintstone and the Lion" OR "Superstone". BTW Allan Melvin did the uncredited voice for the judge in "Superstone", using his natural voice [Brady Bunch fans know that as him being "Sam the Butcher".]
I spoke with Elliot today (he is my brother-in-law) and he said he did some Snooper and Blabber Mouse episodes with Daws. He said it was a long time ago and he didn't remember all the specifics. Also, I asked him about Accused and he said it was called Day in Court back then. As far as other TV work, I remember he did some Hawaii 5-0 work and he also did voices for some Disney movie or movies. I told him I would find out your name for him. He is too humble to google Himself
Hi, Napa. I plan to send Elliot a letter (if his home address on the internet is correct) after the holidays to ask him about his work in cartoons. He had a fine career at KPMC, as you know, and while I'm personally and professionally interested, it's out of the realm of this blog.
Interesting info that certainly brings back memories. I had the privilege of working for Mr. Field as a house & garage cleaner when he lived in Palm Springs in 2001. I grew up listening to all of the original "top 40" tunes smiths, so it was a great treat for me to be able to talk & work with him. Sincerely, Garry Jones
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fields back in 2007 when i was in middle school ...He's really nice. I Remember him telling me he did the voice of Alvin Brickrock and Quick Draw McGraw...He even gave me an autograph signing it Alvin Brickrock and Elliot Fields.
Elliot was my boss at KPSI in Palm Springs; I have fond memories of him. I was told that he had done cartoon voices and we even had a few "wild tags" that he recorded in cartoon voices that we could run once in a while after a commercial. I enjoyed working there.
I only know Elliott from his KFWB LA days, 1957-64, the most informative and fun years of my childhood. I remember him well then as a soft-spoken dj with a lot of dry humor to him, unique in those days as a voice of intelligence on rock n roll radio, which KFWB seemed to specialize in. Wonderful days for me. His smart voice was a very comfortable thread weaving through it. So pleased he is alive and i hope well.
What's funny is his tenure in Palm Springs. I lived there briefly for a couple years in the late 60s-early 70s and until today had no idea he was GM of KPSI, which i never paid attentiion to, PS at the time being very much an old fogey's town and almost anti-rock n roll.
Thanks to y'all for the treasured memories. I'm slowly working on a memoir which I hope will Answer all questions. Re: your comments, most appreciated & remembered names to Go along. Now last of the swingin 7, ef.
I remember Elliot as one of the "7 Swinging Gentlemen" on KFWB. He was also the uncle of a friend of mine and when he was in the area he'd stop in front of our house and enjoy the view. I had the privilege of talking with him on several occasions. Definitely a gentleman! I'd like to buy a copy of his memoir when it comes out.
Excellent article here Yowp. I listened to those clips this morning. Since Elliott Field and Don Messick were the two selections for BOTH 1963's "Flintstone and the Lion" AND 1965-66's "Superstone", the end credits can make the two end title seem self same, if one only looks at the end credits, and if it HADN'T been for the two different seasons, as the Flintstone credits were done in smaller fonts [like the similiar transition in the 1953-55 WB cartoon credit lettering]. The other Elliot Field one was Alvin Brickrock as you noted, which would, with its early 60s "Screen Gems Chinese Fonts" [following the Dom Casual ones of the 50s], would NEVER be mistaken for the end credit sequence of either "Flintstone and the Lion" OR "Superstone". BTW Allan Melvin did the uncredited voice for the judge in "Superstone", using his natural voice [Brady Bunch fans know that as him being "Sam the Butcher".]
ReplyDeleteI spoke with Elliot today (he is my brother-in-law) and he said he did some Snooper and Blabber Mouse episodes with Daws. He said it was a long time ago and he didn't remember all the specifics. Also, I asked him about Accused and he said it was called Day in Court back then. As far as other TV work, I remember he did some Hawaii 5-0 work and he also did voices for some Disney movie or movies. I told him I would find out your name for him. He is too humble to google
ReplyDeleteHimself
Hi, Napa. I plan to send Elliot a letter (if his home address on the internet is correct) after the holidays to ask him about his work in cartoons.
ReplyDeleteHe had a fine career at KPMC, as you know, and while I'm personally and professionally interested, it's out of the realm of this blog.
Address is correct. I am sure he'd love to answer some queries. I'll let him know to expect something .
ReplyDeleteInteresting info that certainly brings back memories. I had the privilege of working for Mr. Field as a house & garage cleaner when he lived in Palm Springs in 2001. I grew up listening to all of the original "top 40" tunes smiths, so it was a great treat for me to be able to talk & work with him. Sincerely, Garry Jones
ReplyDeleteOne Cool D.j. i had the privilege of doing House & garage cleaning for him in palm Springs in 2001.
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fields back in 2007 when i was in middle school ...He's really nice. I Remember him telling me he did the voice of Alvin Brickrock and Quick Draw McGraw...He even gave me an autograph signing it Alvin Brickrock and Elliot Fields.
ReplyDeleteElliot was my boss at KPSI in Palm Springs; I have fond memories of him. I was told that he had done cartoon voices and we even had a few "wild tags" that he recorded in cartoon voices that we could run once in a while after a commercial. I enjoyed working there.
ReplyDeleteI only know Elliott from his KFWB LA days, 1957-64, the most informative and fun years of my childhood. I remember him well then as a soft-spoken dj with a lot of dry humor to him, unique in those days as a voice of intelligence on rock n roll radio, which KFWB seemed to specialize in. Wonderful days for me. His smart voice was a very comfortable thread weaving through it. So pleased he is alive and i hope well.
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny is his tenure in Palm Springs. I lived there briefly for a couple years in the late 60s-early 70s and until today had no idea he was GM of KPSI, which i never paid attentiion to, PS at the time being very much an old fogey's town and almost anti-rock n roll.
Thanks to y'all for the treasured memories. I'm slowly working on a memoir which I hope will
ReplyDeleteAnswer all questions. Re: your comments, most appreciated & remembered names to Go along.
Now last of the swingin 7, ef.
I remember Elliot as one of the "7 Swinging Gentlemen" on KFWB. He was also the uncle of a friend of mine and when he was in the area he'd stop in front of our house and enjoy the view. I had the privilege of talking with him on several occasions. Definitely a gentleman! I'd like to buy a copy of his memoir when it comes out.
ReplyDeletethe best talent in Los Angeles radio period.
ReplyDelete