Animator draws from experience with the Beatles
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The Beatles arrive at the San Francisco airport in 1964. Animator Ron Campbell, whose work related to the iconic group will be on display at the Galleria this weekend, says the members of the Fab Four weren't fond of the Saturday morning cartoon show about them.
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Turns out, an animated Beatle isn't necessarily a happy Beatle.
Australian animator Ron Campbell, whose long career includes directing episodes of the Beatles' Saturday-morning cartoon show that ran in the United States from 1965-69, plus work as an artist on the feature-length "Yellow Submarine," recalled in a recent interview that the Fab Four didn't much like the cartoon either.
"They were a bit snobby about it; there were also arguments about the voices [in the Saturday] show," he said, laughing.
"All Englishmen shudder when they hear American actors try to speak in an English accent."
"John Lennon, I think, he called it, 'That [expletive] Flintstones.' "
Some of Mr. Campbell's work is on display in Pittsburgh this week. He has a number of original drawings on display and for sale at the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon tomorrow through Sunday; "Revolution" features artistic work by members of the Beatles as well photographs and memorabilia.
Still, "I think it [the cartoon show] was a tremendously good thing for the Beatles," he said. "In my view, what happened was, an entire generation of children woke up on Saturday morning and watched it."
One of "Yellow Submarine's" (1968) screenwriters was Al Brodax, executive producer for the cartoon series. Mr. Campbell was brought in as an animator for the movie when the producers ran into production trouble.
"They were writing it as they went along," he said. "They didn't have the slightest idea how a feature film should be made, and that's one of the strengths because it turned out to be such an unusual film."
Alas, he said, "I have no original artwork [left over from working on the film]. "Revolution" does have an original work based on one of his Submarine drawings, however: "It's a popular one."
First Published March 26, 2008 12:00 am
