‘Thundercats’ Ho! The Classic Rankin/Bass Productions Series Turns 40

Thundercats Poster
© 2012 Miser Bros. Press/Rick Goldschmidt

Thundercats premiered 40 years ago on Jan. 23, 1985. A series that Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass held near and dear to their hearts, the original show has remained wildly popular with fans, and was even rebooted for Cartoon Network in 2011.

When they did the updated series for Cartoon Network, Arthur even sent me a giant Lion-O figure. My first book, the 20th anniversary edition of The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass (Miser Bros Press) goes into the history and development of the series, with many illustrations. In 2005, Warner Brothers asked me to assist with the Thundercats DVD set, for which I provided all of the still images, which are part of my Rankin/Bass archives. I also got producer Arthur Rankin to agree to do an interview. Warner Brothers wanted a famous band to do an updated version of the theme song, for which I suggested my friends Gin Blossoms. Gin Blossoms ended up passing it to their friends The Rembrandts.

It was Rankin/Bass Productions’ first superhero-like adventure series.

The King Kong Show (1966) had adventure, but it was quite different. Thundercats was a cell-animated weekly adventure series based on action figure toys — one quite similar to He-Man & The Masters of the Universe, which Filmation produced in 1983.

Thundercats premiered as a one-hour special in January of 1985. By the time a two-hour special called Thundercats Ho! the Movie was released in 1986, the parent series was the top-rated cartoon series in syndication. Like many other shows of the period, Thundercats emphasized pro-social themes, with plots designed to offer moral guidance and life lessons to youngsters.  To assure that these lessons were correct, Rankin/Bass retained the services of a psychologist, Dr. Robert Kuisis, PhD. Dr. Kuisis reviewed all of the episodes throughout the production process, and even provided comments for each show in a Synopsis and Morals booklet that was provided to the TV stations in a promotional packet.

Thundercats promo

© 2012 Miser Bros. Press/Rick Goldschmidt

Many Rankin/Bass regulars worked on the series.

Thundercats was a phenomenon, and some of my Rankin/Bass friends worked on the series. My late, great friend and voice actor, Bob McFadden (Frankenberry, Milton the Monster, Cool McCool) was the voice of Snarf, the comic relief in the series. My friend Bob Camp (Ren and Stimpy) worked in Rankin/Bass’ New York offices on the animation and design. He recalled, “When I was working on Thundercats, Rankin/Bass had a great big display case of the Animagic figures from the Holiday specials. I loved looking at them! One day I went out to lunch and when I returned, they were gone. I was told they threw them away. I was in shock.”

THUNDERCATS, from left, Snarf (voiced by Bob McFadden), Lion-O (voiced by Larry Kenney), 1985-87.

Rankin/Bass Productions/Courtesy Everett Collection

My friend, producer Peter Bakalian, started working for Rankin/Bass with this series in 1987. Peter would later fill the role that Jules Bass once filled, and become co-producer on Santa Baby and The King and I. There was also a talented writer on Thundercats named Peter Lawrence. Peter began working on a project with Bass’ wife and Bass wasn’t happy about it. He threw a fit and insisted that Arthur fire him (which Arthur did not want to do). Eventually, Arthur let go of Lawrence and he parted ways with Bass, too. Larry Kenny, the voice of Lion-O, still does appearances and we did a signed print together some years back.

Thundercats character art

© 2012 Miser Bros. Press/Rick Goldschmidt

Thundercats character art

© 2012 Miser Bros. Press/Rick Goldschmidt

It was almost turned into a movie.

Thundercats is one of the Rankin/Bass projects that Hollywood keeps trying to make into a feature film. I have heard from many producers over the years that they have expressed interest. There was another proposed humorous take on the series a few years back that faced quite a backlash from fans! When they posted a trailer on YouTube, there were far more dislikes than likes. Fans take their Thundercats seriously, even forty years later!

When I do appearances at conventions, I am often asked about Thundercats, which were followed by Rankin/Bass’ Silverhawks and then The Comic Strip, which featured TigerSharks.

SILVERHAWKS, Commander Stargazer, 1986,

Lorimar/courtesy Everett Collection

Rick Goldschmidt is the official historian/biographer for Rankin/Bass Productions, the studio that brought you Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, The Hobbit and Mad Monster Party. He has written six books on the team of Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. He has also worked on countless projects and products based on their TV specials and films.

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June 2018

Unleash your inner child by reliving your favorite kids TV shows, cartoons, toys and more!

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