Argosy Avenue

Argosy Avenue is an American animated comedy series produced by Argosy Pictures from 1930 to 1980 during the golden age of American animation, with a revival series running from 1990 to the present day. It was known for introducing Gussy Goat, Catnip Cat, Rocky Raccoon, and several other cartoon characters. Influenced by Talkartoons, various artists using the pseudonym Aldo Boomer decided to start producing a theatrical cartoon series. The series is set in the fictional town of Argosy Avenue and parodies American culture and society, television, films, and the human condition. Due to the monster success of the shorts, Argosy later started a franchise that includes characters that are part of the Argosy Avenue series.

The studio that produced the series is Aldo Boomer Cartoon Studios.

In 1980, Argosy’s parent company at the time, Binney & Smith, announced that Argosy Avenue would no longer have theatrical short films due to them focusing more on cartoons for television. Because of this, Aldo Boomer Cartoon Studios was renamed Argosy Animation Studios and moved to a new location in Argosy Heights, Seattle, Washington State. Some of the Aldo Boomer Cartoon Studios staff went on to join Argosy Animation Studios. Argosy Avenue has since evolved into a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television series, feature films, comic books, music albums, video games, and amusement park rides, as well as serving as one of Argosy's most popular franchises, and one of the most popular cartoon series behind Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes, Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse, Max Fleischer's Popeye the Sailor, and MGM's Tom and Jerry. Many of the characters have made and continue to make cameo appearances in various other television shows, films, and advertisements. The most famous Argosy Avenue character, Gussy Goat, is regarded as a cultural icon and has a star on the Studio Row Walk of Fame. Several Argosy Avenue films are considered among the greatest animated cartoons of all time, and six have won Silver Ring Audiovisual Awards.

In 1990, Argosy Media and MTM Enterprises (then owned by TVS Entertainment) launched a series of new shorts. Most of these shorts first aired in first-run syndication starting in April 11, 1990, while some have received a theatrical release. As of 2016, the series is currently produced mostly for television and the internet, particularly on YouTube and VidSpace, occasionally theatrical shorts and film festivals.

Whenever aired on TV, the series is rated TV-G.

Trivia

 * While not as popular as Disney's Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies or Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, Argosy Avenue still is considered pretty popular.
 * Unlike the tamer Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies and even more so than Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, Universal's Woody Woodpecker and Hanna-Barbera's Tom and Jerry, most of its shorts are notable for featuring a zanier, darker and sadistic style of humor.
 * The theme song of the series is “Alabama Jubilee”.