Dude I am also an animator madly obsessed with the Beach Boys (including making my own Smile mix) so this was a joy for me to read. I never knew about this cartoon and, like too many Beach Boys efforts at that time, wish it had come to light! I think I knew about the Hannah Barbera one that was proposed in the late 60s; but apparently there's also concept art for a special in the late 70s where they're anthropomorphic animals, and some lost Nickelodeon shorts from the 90s
Really glad you liked the piece! It was awesome working with Mark on this one. The sort of curse hanging over these Beach Boys projects is so strange -- you have to wonder what it was.
You're exactly right re: the other projects - this one seemed to establish a pattern of failed animated pilots of the band the next few decades. The late seventies one in particular is very bizarre, with the art done in a R. Crumb sort of style. I debated mentioning these, but wanted to focus just on the Crippen series, as it was the one that interested me the most given the style of the great production art (and I love the Sunflower/Surf's Up era and how the show reflected those ecology lyrical themes). Thanks for your kind words on the article!
Ah, it's a shame to hear about the Japanese film. It looked like an official upload, but maybe not? We'll have to see whether it comes back. Either way -- agreed about more information on the Beach Boys cartoon! Hopefully Mark's article stirs up something in that regard. There's been nothing yet, but you never know.
Dude I am also an animator madly obsessed with the Beach Boys (including making my own Smile mix) so this was a joy for me to read. I never knew about this cartoon and, like too many Beach Boys efforts at that time, wish it had come to light! I think I knew about the Hannah Barbera one that was proposed in the late 60s; but apparently there's also concept art for a special in the late 70s where they're anthropomorphic animals, and some lost Nickelodeon shorts from the 90s
Really glad you liked the piece! It was awesome working with Mark on this one. The sort of curse hanging over these Beach Boys projects is so strange -- you have to wonder what it was.
You're exactly right re: the other projects - this one seemed to establish a pattern of failed animated pilots of the band the next few decades. The late seventies one in particular is very bizarre, with the art done in a R. Crumb sort of style. I debated mentioning these, but wanted to focus just on the Crippen series, as it was the one that interested me the most given the style of the great production art (and I love the Sunflower/Surf's Up era and how the show reflected those ecology lyrical themes). Thanks for your kind words on the article!
What a fascinating read into what might have been.
Happy to hear you enjoyed this one! Mark's pitch was so unique and unusual that we just had to take it.
Wild.
I hope to hear more information come out about the Beach Boy cartoon mystery. It's crazy how something from such a famous band is this obscure!
On a side note, the Manual of Ninja Martial Arts film upload has been taken down.
Ah, it's a shame to hear about the Japanese film. It looked like an official upload, but maybe not? We'll have to see whether it comes back. Either way -- agreed about more information on the Beach Boys cartoon! Hopefully Mark's article stirs up something in that regard. There's been nothing yet, but you never know.
🤩👍