Hey There, It's Yogi Bear

For TV Month, I am watching the first ever movie based on an animated TV show! I admit to never having watched the original "Yogi Bear" show. The thing is, I really think I know everything I should as I've seen some spinoffs featuring the character. While not a great film, I enjoyed it enough. The animation is honestly pretty good. Then again, it isn't really much different than the show.

Of course, this was the first movie of its kind. I'm not going to say this show was on the same level as something like "The Flintstones" or "Top Cat". I actually liked the character Cindy Bear and it was kind of a nicely written romance. The pacing was decent and it does have a pretty interesting story. There's really a lot going on. Most of the jokes are good. ***

Now, I wouldn't exactly say that I hated this animated, feature film that starred Yogi Bear, but, then again, I certainly wouldn't say that I liked it all that much, either.

At 90 minutes in length, I'd say that if a good 30 minutes had been edited from this predictable story no one would have been the wiser. And, besides that - It certainly didn't benefit matters much that 6 truly awful songs were injected into this lame story which, of course, helped to reduce my overall rating of this cartoon by a few extra points.

Released in 1964 - This limited-animation, Hanna-Barbera production, pretty much, just went over the same, old, tired ground of your typical, garden-variety, Yogi Bear cartoon that has ever been made.

The one character who I did like in the story was Mugger, the snickering dog, who was, naturally, given very little screen-time.

On the other hand - The one character who I really disliked here was Cindy Bear (Yogi's whining love-interest) who, unfortunately, was given way too much screen-time.

All-in-all - I'd definitely say that "Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!" was the sort of cartoon whose limited and recycled charm could only appeal to the undemanding expectations of a very young child.

this cartoon is one of the best along with other yogi bear cartoon movies and others like the Flintstones and the jetsons put it this way i am 19 years old and it is still a favorite of mine and i have watched it that many times i know it off by heart practically!!! this is a great cartoon and i recommend it to anyone and everyone. hey there its yogi bear , and yogi bears first Christmas are must have cartoons they are great to watch and no matter how old the cartoon may be i guarantee children will still love to watch them this cartoon is funny, catchy with the choice of music added to it and demonstrates to children how important friendship is, and the importance of helping one another!

"Hey There, It's Yogi Bear" was Hanna Barbara's first feature venture to the big screen and along with "A Man Called Flintstone", it's one of their best. Yogi, Bo bo and Ranger Smith haven't changed from the cartoon and this just feels like a regular Yogi Bear cartoon.

Once again Ranger Smith is trying to stop Yogi from stealing Picnic baskets, only he finally grown wise to Yogi's tricks. Poor Yogi just can't win so he give's the ranger an ultimatum, either the "Do not feed the beers signs'" go or Yogi is leaving. So Ranger Smith decides to send Yogi to the San Diego zoo. Yogi tricks another bear, Cornpone into taking his place, so Yogi becomes the masked avenger, stealing all the camper's lunchs. Meanwhile poor Cindy bear, heartbroken over her love Yogi being sent to San Diego, that she gets Ranger Smith to send her off too. But unknown to her she's being sent to St. Louis zoo instead. Then her cage falls off the train it was on and she is captured by some evil circus men who use her as a high wire bear act.

Yogi finds out about this and he and Boo Boo escape from the zoo in search of Cindy. They rescue her from the Zoo, and then end up in New York City, being chased by the police. Leading to a wild climax in a building under construction.

As usual in this kind of film, there are songs. But these are all quite good. There's the title song sung by David Gates, then Cindy's Song, "I Love A Parade", Veni Veno Vene where Yogi's voice sounds suspiciously like James Darren, and my favorite, "Oh What a Wonderful Feeling". They almost all fit in the plot and enhance it as well.

Daws Butler is just wonderful as Yogi and Don Messick does double duty as both Boo Boo and Ranger Smith. Julie Bennett is fine as Cindy. Plus we have Mel Blanc and Hal Smith does a fine job with various voices too.

I saw this at a kiddie matinee when I was 10 and loved it ever since. I still enjoy it, and for all you Yogi fan's out there, give it a chance, you'll love it too.

Yogi bears first Theatrical feature is actually pretty good.the pace is good,it's pretty colourful for the kids,and it's fairly funny.in fact,there is one running gag that is hysterical.i also loved all the different voices.there were many people voicing more than one character.i recognized some of the voices from other cartoons,and some of the names were also familiar from their work on other cartoons.the only drawback i found was there a few too many musical numbers,some of which went on bit too long,and kinda stopped the momentum and flow.but that's just my opinion.and it's certainly suitable for kids,and it has enough entertainment in it for adults.