LINUS THE LIONHEARTED LINUS THE LIONHEARTED

linus1.jpgOne of the cleverest Saturday morning cartoons ever produced may never be seen again. LINUS THE LIONHEARTED (1964), produced by Ed Graham Productions for General Foods, lives on in bootleg videos and old comic books. But it was removed from all television broadcasts when the show came under fire by the FCC because it was perceived as a half hour commercial for Post cereals. Which, I guess, in some ways it was. It’s too bad a show with a voice cast which included Carl Reiner, Ruth Buzzi, Sheldon Leonard (as Linus), Jonathan Winters, Stiller & Meara, and other notable comedians — along with a troupe of appealing characters (of which, only Sugar Bear still remains active in TV spots for Post Golden Crisp) — is completely forgotten today. Luckily Scott Shaw has posted a tribute to Linus and the Crispy Critters over at his Oddball Comics website this week, with more information on the subject – and LINUS THE LIONHEARTED #1 from Gold Key Comics – than you thought humanly possible.

Jerry Beck

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