Gumby

Gumby was the coolest clay character ever. Gumby could do anything and he was a ton of fun to watch. If he ever felt like going anywhere or doing anything all he had to do was go inside a book about it. The sky is the limit for what you can do when you are made of clay. Gumby and his friend Pokey made a great team. I remember watching Gumby when I was little in the late 80's. I think I had a few VHS tapes too. My sons really liked Gumbasia. It was on one of our DVD's along with one of Gumby's episodes. I keep meaning to get another DVD of Gumby so my kids can get a better look at him. After all the little Gumby and Pokey figures can be found in lots of stores as benadble figures or as keychains. I have always loved stop-motion animation and Gumby is a huge part of its becoming so popular.

Gumby was created by Art Clokey. Art studied at the University of Southern California. And while he was there he learned about various film and camera techniques by his teacher Slavko Vorkapich. In 1953 Art created a stop-motion film parody of Fantasia and Art called it Gumbasia. Gumbasia is below for you to watch. Basically it is tons of colored clay that Art brought to life and set to music. In 1955 Art had the opportunity to show his film to Sam Engel who was a movie producer. Sam suggested adding characters to Arts future films. With the help of his wife Ruth, Art created Gumby. Next Art created the first Gumby episode. It was fifteen minutes long and was titled Gumby Goes to the Moon. Art showed it to the head of NBC. But, the show wasn't accepted although it was well liked. In 1956 Art created another epsiode Called Robot Rumpus and it was aired on the Howdy Doody Show. In 1957 Art got Gumby it's own series on NBC. The show ran until 1967.

In the 80's Gumby episodes were released on home video and on TV. In 1988 new episodes appeared on TV. (This must be when I was watching it) For the rerealesed episodes their was some controvery. Many of the people that enjoyed the originals were horrified that new music was used. Apparently Art Clokey could not renew the rights to the original soundtracks from Capitol Records. In 1994 and 1995 The Library of Congress used Gumby as their spokesman. In 1995 The Gumby movie was released. In 2002 a complete DVD Box Set was released. The set included all epsiodes from 1956 to 1967. But, many fans were upset since Art could not use the original sound tracks. In 2005 A Gumby video game was made called Gumby Vs. the Astrobots. In 2007 Youtube was allowed to have full length episodes of Gumby and with the original soundtracks so many people were looking for. Many Gumby DVD's are available today. In all 233 episodes have been made.

Gumby featured many characters. Gumby had his friend Pokey who was an orange horse. Gumby had a dog named Nopey. Goo was a blue mermaid that could fly. His enemy was the Blockheads. A dragon friend named Prickle. His mom Gumba, dad Gumbo and sister Minga. A chicken named Tilly and a Mastadon named denali.

Art chose the color green because it was his favorite color. Gumby had wide feet and legs to support him while animating his movements. Or else he might topple over and Art would have to start all over again. The lopsided head was based on a picture of Art's dad with a funny hair cut. Oh and the best part was since Gumby was made out of clay he could change shape and do almost anything. His hands look like mittens so that Art would not be fidgiting with fingers.