William Denby Hanna, born on July 14, 1910, in Melrose, New Mexico, is one of the most significant figures in the history of animation. Alongside his creative partner, Joseph Barbera, Hanna co-created some of the most beloved and enduring cartoon characters in television history. Their work laid the foundation for the modern animation industry, and their studio, Hanna-Barbera, became synonymous with classic animated television. This article delves into the life, career, and lasting legacy of William Hanna, offering detailed insights into his journey and the cultural impact of his work.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
William Hanna was born into a family that moved frequently due to his father’s job as a construction superintendent. As a result, Hanna spent his early years in various parts of the United States. Despite the frequent relocations, Hanna developed a love for music and the arts at an early age, often entertaining himself by playing the saxophone and building model airplanes.
Hanna’s artistic talents eventually led him to study journalism and engineering at Compton College in California. However, the Great Depression forced him to leave college and seek work to support his family. This turn of events led Hanna to the burgeoning animation industry, where he found work at Pacific Art and Title, creating title cards for movies. His early work in animation set the stage for a career that would revolutionize the industry.
Meeting Joseph Barbera and the MGM Years
In 1937, William Hanna joined the animation department at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where he soon met Joseph Barbera, a fellow animator and cartoonist. Barbera, born in New York City to Sicilian immigrant parents, had initially worked as a banker before pursuing a career in animation. The two men quickly discovered a shared passion for storytelling and a complementary set of skills that would define their partnership for decades.
Their first major collaboration came in 1940 with the creation of Tom and Jerry, a series of animated short films featuring the antics of a cat and a mouse. Under the direction of Fred Quimby, the head of MGM’s animation department, Hanna and Barbera produced over 200 Tom and Jerry shorts over the next two decades. The series was an immediate success, known for its slapstick humor, clever gags, and the almost dialogue-free interactions between its two main characters.
Hanna and Barbera’s work on Tom and Jerry earned them critical acclaim, including seven Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film. The success of Tom and Jerry not only solidified their reputation as top animators but also established a formula for character-driven animation that would influence the entire industry.
Founding of Hanna-Barbera and the Rise of Television Animation
In 1957, with the closure of MGM’s animation studio, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera decided to form their own production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions. At the time, television was emerging as a dominant medium, and the duo recognized an opportunity to create animated content for this new platform. Their decision to focus on television rather than theatrical shorts would prove to be a game-changer for the animation industry.
One of Hanna-Barbera’s first successes was Ruff and Reddy, a series that premiered in 1957. This show was followed by Huckleberry Hound in 1958, which became the first animated television series to win an Emmy Award. Huckleberry Hound featured a laid-back, Southern drawl-speaking dog and introduced the world to Hanna-Barbera’s signature style of limited animation, a technique that allowed them to produce shows more cost-effectively by reusing backgrounds and character movements.
The real breakthrough for Hanna-Barbera came in 1960 with the debut of The Flintstones. This show, set in the prehistoric town of Bedrock, was the first prime-time animated series on American television. The Flintstones was a parody of suburban life in the 1960s, complete with modern conveniences rendered in a Stone Age setting. The show was an instant hit, appealing to both children and adults with its humor, relatable characters, and clever use of historical anachronisms. The Flintstones ran for six seasons and became the longest-running animated television series until it was surpassed by The Simpsons in 1997.
Success and Innovation in the 1960s and 1970s
Following the success of The Flintstones, Hanna-Barbera continued to innovate and produce a string of successful animated series. In 1962, they introduced The Jetsons, a futuristic counterpart to The Flintstones. Set in the year 2062, The Jetsons explored the possibilities of space-age technology and modern conveniences, often reflecting the optimism and concerns of the Space Age.
Other notable series from this era include Yogi Bear, which featured the adventures of a mischievous bear in Jellystone Park, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, which debuted in 1969. Scooby-Doo introduced audiences to a group of teenagers and their talking Great Dane who solved mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures. The show’s blend of humor, suspense, and memorable catchphrases made it an enduring favorite and a cornerstone of the Hanna-Barbera legacy.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Hanna-Barbera dominated the Saturday morning cartoon lineup, producing series such as Jonny Quest (1964), Wacky Races (1968), The Banana Splits (1968), and The Harlem Globetrotters (1970). These shows were characterized by their diverse range of settings and genres, from adventure and mystery to sports and comedy.
Challenges and Adaptations in the 1980s and Beyond
As the animation industry evolved, Hanna-Barbera faced new challenges, particularly with the rise of competitors and the increasing costs of production. Despite these challenges, the studio continued to produce popular series, including The Smurfs (1981), which became one of the most successful animated shows of the decade. Based on the Belgian comic series by Peyo, The Smurfs brought the charming blue creatures to life and captured the imaginations of children around the world.
In response to the changing industry, Hanna-Barbera also adapted its production techniques to maintain profitability. The studio became known for its cost-effective approach to animation, utilizing limited animation techniques that included reusing backgrounds, simplifying character designs, and minimizing the number of frames per second. While this approach allowed Hanna-Barbera to produce a large volume of content, it also led to criticisms about the quality of the animation compared to earlier, more elaborate productions.
Despite these challenges, Hanna-Barbera remained a dominant force in the industry well into the 1980s. However, by the mid-1980s, rising production costs and competition from other studios, including the resurgence of Walt Disney Television Animation, led to financial difficulties. In 1987, Hanna-Barbera Productions was sold to Taft Broadcasting, which later became part of Turner Broadcasting System in 1991. This acquisition brought Hanna-Barbera’s vast library of content into the fold of Turner’s growing media empire, eventually leading to the creation of Cartoon Network in 1992.
Legacy and Impact
William Hanna’s contributions to animation cannot be overstated. Along with Joseph Barbera, Hanna helped to shape the landscape of television animation, creating some of the most iconic and enduring characters in the medium. The duo’s work has had a lasting impact on popular culture, influencing generations of animators, filmmakers, and audiences.
Hanna-Barbera’s characters, from Tom and Jerry to The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo, have become cultural icons, beloved by millions around the world. These characters continue to be featured in new adaptations, merchandise, and media, ensuring that Hanna-Barbera’s legacy lives on.
In recognition of their contributions to the entertainment industry, both William Hanna and Joseph Barbera received numerous accolades throughout their careers, including multiple Emmy Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a special lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
William Hanna passed away on March 22, 2001, at the age of 90. His death marked the end of an era in animation, but his influence remains as strong as ever. Hanna’s final work, Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring, was released posthumously, serving as a fitting tribute to a career dedicated to bringing joy and laughter to audiences of all ages.
Conclusion
William Hanna’s life and career are a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and collaboration. From his early days at MGM to the founding of Hanna-Barbera Productions, Hanna’s work has left an indelible mark on the world of animation. His partnership with Joseph Barbera not only revolutionized television animation but also created a legacy that continues to entertain and inspire.
As we look back on Hanna’s contributions to the animation industry, it is clear that his work transcends generations, remaining as relevant and beloved today as it was when it first aired. William Hanna’s dedication to his craft and his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of entertainment have solidified his place as one of the most important figures in the history of animation.
