Retro Cartoon Rewind | Classics Featuring Yogi, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw & The Flintstones | Part 5

 Iron Hand Jones - How Yogi Bear Outsmarts the Tough New Ranger in Jellystone

Written By Ken Hulsey

Yogi and his buddy Boo Boo are having a tough time swiping picnic baskets with Ranger Smith on patrol. But little do they know, things are about to get a whole lot tougher with Iron Hand Jones stepping in! While Ranger Smith takes a well-earned vacay, his replacement, a tough-as-nails ex-army paratrooper, turns Jellystone Park into his personal boot camp. When Jones gets a bit too rough with our lovable bear, Yogi hatches a plan to fake his own demise and go incognito!

When Smith returns from his trip and thinks Yogi has gone to the big picnic in the sky, he’s absolutely heartbroken. But hold on to your picnic blankets! Mysterious basket disappearances start happening around the park, making Smith suspect that Yogi has figured out how to keep up his mischievous antics from “the great beyond!”

One of my all-time favorite cartoon moments is in this episode when Boo Boo gets so spooked by Jones that he leaps right out of a window! Classic!

Huckleberry Hound Has a Heap of Trouble with Two Corny Crows

Every great superhero has a formidable nemesis, and the same holds true for beloved cartoon characters. Think about it: Batman faces off against the chaotic Joker, while Bugs Bunny cleverly outsmarts the ever-determined Elmer Fudd. Donald Duck contends with the mischievous duo Chip 'n Dale, and Huckleberry Hound finds himself in frequent battles against two crafty crows named Iggy and Ziggy, who are intent on devouring his precious corn crop.

Related: Retro Cartoon Rewind | The Adventures of a Wascally Wabbit and a Screwball Duck | Part 4

In fact, "Two Corny Crows" is the ninth episode from the cherished Huckleberry Hound cartoon series, which first aired on November 27, 1958, as part of "The Huckleberry Hound Show." This delightful episode was produced and directed by the iconic team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, with a captivating story crafted by Charles Shows and Dan Gordon.

In this entertaining tale, we see Farmer Huckleberry Hound facing a significant challenge as Iggy and Ziggy consistently outsmart him, pilfering rows upon rows of his vibrant corn. Our clever Huck tries an assortment of tactics, from setting clever traps that the crows cunningly turn against him, to attempting to disguise himself as a scarecrow—only to find himself the target of their playful mockery. Just when he thinks he has successfully cornered the crafty crows, the day’s work comes to an abrupt end with the sound of the whistle. It’s a delightful episode filled with humor, creativity, and that classic battle of wits that fans adore!

Quick Draw McGraw Embraces His Alter-Ego in The Mark of El Kabong

Growing up, I was captivated by the delightful Hanna-Barbera cartoon shorts of the 1960s and '70s. Among my favorites was the character Quick Draw McGraw and his swashbuckling alter ego, El Kabong. In the final episode of The Quick Draw McGraw Show, the guitar-strumming equine hero once again donned his Zorro-esque El Kabong costume to heroically save the residents of San Chihuahua from the evil tyranny of General Badguyos.

Related: Retro Cartoon Rewind | Silly 70s Sitcom Saturday Morning | Part 2

General Badguyos is determined to take Rita, the lovely daughter of Don Fateego, as his bride. Swooping in, El Kabong attempts to rescue Rita and her father. However, during the ensuing duel with the General, he causes extensive damage to Fateego's beautiful old hacienda. Faced with this destruction, Badguyos, Rita, and Don Fateego join forces to drive out El Kabong and his companion, Baba Looey.

Quick Draw, voiced by Daws Butler, was typically depicted as a sheriff in these Old West-set segments. Accompanying him was his deputy, a Mexican burro named Baba Looey, also voiced by Daws Butler—a nod to Desi Arnaz's hit song "Babalu." While technically the sidekick, Baba Looey was often portrayed as the more intelligent of the duo, frequently recognizing details about a situation and desperately trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to warn the oblivious Quick Draw of impending danger or traps.

The masked vigilante "El Kabong" is the alter ego of Quick Draw. As El Kabong, Quick Draw attacks his foes by swooping down on a rope and unleashing an onomatopoeic battle cry, either "KABOOOOOONG!" or "OLAYYYYEEEE!" He strikes them on the head with an acoustic guitar, known as a "kabonger." This dramatic entrance, along with the resulting "kabong" sound, typically leads to the destruction of the guitar.

The Flintstones: The Golf Champion - Fred and Barney Push Neighbor Relations to the Breaking Point

In a dramatic turn of events at the Loyal Order of Dinosaurs, Fred emerges victorious in the highly anticipated golf tournament. However, his celebration is short-lived when Barney, the newly elected president of the lodge and also the treasurer, refuses to award Fred the coveted trophy due to outstanding club dues that Fred has yet to settle. This situation ignites a fierce rivalry between the two lifelong friends, as each retaliates against the other in various comedic and obstinate ways.

Fred's triumph over Ben Boulder not only highlights his golfing prowess but also underscores the emotional and social stakes at play, as Barney's decision to withhold the trophy creates tensions that ripple through their friendship. Barney insists that Fred must first rectify his past due payments and return to being a member in good standing within the Loyal Order of Dinosaurs before he can claim his prize. Fred, brimming with righteous indignation, points out that his earlier endorsement helped elevate Barney to his current position of power within the organization. He feels betrayed, claiming that Barney's refusal to honor their friendship by granting him the trophy is a sign of ingratitude.

As the animosity intensifies, Barney begins to take further actions to reclaim a variety of items he claims as his own that Fred has borrowed, which include a much-needed water bucket, golf clubs, and even a hammock. In a particularly dramatic turn of events, Barney unleashes his ferocious new watchdog, Buzzsaw, to deter Fred's escalating attempts at vengeance, demonstrating the lengths to which their feud has escalated.

Related: Retro Cartoon Rewind | Classic 70s Saturday Morning | Part 1

Fred, determined to mend their fractured relationship, plans a lively gathering at his home, hoping to win Barney back with laughter and camaraderie. However, his efforts are thwarted when he discovers that Barney is out of town, leaving Fred feeling defeated once more.

In a heartwarming twist, Wilma and Betty decide to take matters into their own hands. They generously step in to pay Fred’s overdue dues to the Loyal Order of Dinosaurs and present the trophy to Fred. They frame the gesture as a mutual reconciliation, professing that both Fred and Barney have come to understand the importance of their friendship and have agreed to these kind acts to restore their bond and put their petty feud behind them.

Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10 - The Complete Film Collection [Blu-Ray]

$65.99 @ Amazon.com - Order Here

In 1987, the legendary animation team of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created a series of ten feature-length animations for television, all of which would highlight their most popular cartoon characters. Compiled as the HANNA-BARBERA SUPERSTARS 10, each film provided irresistible entertainment. Yogi Bear and Scooby-Doo each star in three productions, along with a one-time only meeting of THE FLINTSTONES and THE JETSONS. Judy Jetson takes the spotlight in her own adventure, while HUCKLEBERRY HOUND heads up an exciting all-star Western, and the loveable TOP CAT and his gang star in a story set in Beverly Hills. Hanna-Barbera was able to use many of the original voice actors to re-create their roles for these films. Animation voice talents include Daws Butler, Don Messick, Mel Blanc, and the original voice casts of THE JETSONS. Arnold Stang, Marvin Kaplan, and Leo De Lyon once again provide their TOP CAT character’s voices, and of course, all the Scooby-Doo gang is on hand to top off the fun. Each of these unique productions provide an opportunity for audiences of all generations to celebrate Hanna-Barbera favorites of years past. This first-ever complete collection, remastered in High-Definition, offers a wealth of animation history as well as entertainment for youngsters discovering these characters for the first time.