Argosy Avenue

Wondertoons is an American animated comedy series produced by Theodore E. Sullivan Studios (merged with several other smaller studios into Association of Film Makers in 1937, and now part of Argosy Pictures since 1973) from 1933 to 1973 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, Ginny Goat, Catnip Cat, Fiona Cat, Rocky Raccoon, Goldy Locks, Wolfen Wolf, Joey Kangaroo, David Duck, Franky Frog, Freddy Fox, Harold Horse, Zachary Zebra, Gandy Goose, Quackula the Vampire Duck, Buzzy the Crow, Deputy Dawg, Adelbert Pig, and several other cartoon characters. Influenced by Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies and Warner Bros' Looney Tunes, Theodore E. Sullivan decided to start producing a theatrical cartoon series. Due to the monster success of the shorts, Argosy later started a franchise that includes characters that are part of the Wondertoons.

The studio that produced the series is Sullivan Cartoon Studios.

In 1973, Argosy’s parent company at the time, Argosy Media Affiliates, announced that Wondertoons would no longer have theatrical short films due to them focusing more on cartoons for television. Because of this, Sullivan Cartoon Studios was renamed Argosy Animation Studios and moved to a new location in Argosy Heights, Seattle, Washington State. Some of the Sullivan Cartoon Studios staff went on to join Argosy Animation Studios. Wondertoons 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 Wondertoons character, Gussy Goat, is regarded as a cultural icon and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Several Wondertoons films are considered among the greatest animated cartoons of all time, and six have won Academy 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 CreaTV, occasionally theatrical shorts and film festivals.

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

Other media
(TBA)

Criticism
A handful of Wondertoons shorts are no longer aired on American television, nor are they available for sale by ArgosyMTM Group, because of racial and ethnic stereotypes of black people, American Indians, Asians such as the Japanese (especially during World War II), Chinese, Germans, Italians and Mexicans. Eleven cartoons were withdrawn from distribution in 1968 that prominently featured stereotypical black characters.

Trivia

 * While not as popular as Disney's Mickey Mouse/Silly Symphonies or Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies, Wondertoons 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”.