Gumby
76Gumby
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 and Pokey
History of Gumby
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.
Gumbasia
Gumbitti Doo-Dah
Gumby Toys
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Gumby Videos
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So Who Likes Gumby?Loading...
From out of the past come Gumby!!! I had forgotten all about him and he was one of my favorites to watch with my kids...Thanks for the happy memory!
We didnt have a Gumby, but something very simmilar, it was great.
Interesting.
We didn't have gumby, had a character call ed Morph though.
Thanks everyone,
k@ri that is great you got to see the episodes with the original music. Did you see the other ones in the 80's and if so did you notice the change? I wish I could find a picture of Art Clokey's dad. He must have a been a real trend setter.
Your welcome Nancy, check out Youtube or get a DVD and you won't forget about Gumby ever again.
So Men are dorks did you have this Ed Morph character that Hawkesdream mentioned? I will have to check up on him.
I loved Gumby too. The videos were great. Thanks, Jim
I remember watching Gumby when I was little. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for the blast from the past. I loved Gumby when I was kid!
I wish I could give you more than one thumbs up, so I'll come back later for another one!!! My sister and I had these, several infact!!! Yeah for you bringing back this classic from You Tube!!!
"Very nice reminds me of being a kid again!"
"Two thumbs up!"
CEO E.S.A.H.S. Association
Yes Morph was the guy 4got his name
Gumboy! Err..Gumbie rawks! =)
I remember watching Gumby as a kid in the 60's. As someone else said, he was on every Sunday morning (along with Davey and Goliath). I watched them, but I have to say I thought they were all very odd. :) Eddie Murphy on SNL made a good Gumby (dammit).
Oh wow I just adored Gumby :) They don't put him on anymore well not that I know anyway
Thanks Lisa, yes that Eddie Murphy as Gumby skit is hilarious. I sure do miss the old Saturday Night Live. But, to be honest I haven't watched for a while maybe it got better.
Thanks Blondepoet, I haven't seen Gumby on TV forever. He is greatly missed around here. I should get the kids another DVD of him.
great toys, thanks for share about this toys.
Awww I had a Gumby and a Pokey. Thanks for bringing back some good childhood memories!
I Love Gumby! I used to watch it in the early mornings before school at my babysitters house. Great article. It really took me back. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up!
Thanks, I am happy to remind you of your great memories of watching Gumby.
I loved Gumby. I remember Poky but I forget the girl's name.
I loved watching Gumby and Pokey when I was a kid! I'd forgotten about them, thanks for rekindling a fond memory, Jim.
I am from different culture and we had other animation heroes in my childhood, but I enjoed reading your article, Jim. Thank you.
Your welcome Tanya, thanks for visiting my Gumby Hub.
Sorry badcompany99, but Gumby sure does look the part with all of that green and all.
I loooove Gumby and Pokey! I still have my original bendy figures, and my kids love playing with them too!! And, they love the movies! Thanks Jim !!!
Thanks for visiting Beth100, I am glad your kids get to enjoy Gumby as much as you.
I actually had the Gumby and Pokey action figures. I played with them 'til the little posing wires popped through the rubber.
As Bob Hope once sang: "Thanks for the Memories..."
What is it with Gumby? He just keeps popping up. We were just talking about Eddie Murphy doing Gumby on SNL.
I use to love this show! I wish the video weren't removed :/
I'm glad you loved the show. Sorry about the videos. I will try to find new ones.
Gumby was such a great show! I used to hate the Blockheads, they were mean for no real reason, lol.
LOL I had forgotten about him as well. My son used to watch it all the time and Gumby was kind of crazy...well thought out kind crazy, and one of the few shows I would let my son watch. It was good and clean, little violence..this was a good thing!
Oh thank you for this hub! I haven't thought of Gumby in years and as a kid I always loved him. I enjoyed the video a lot. Thanks!
thanks for sharing nice info about gumby
Really cool information. I don't remember the show, but it is cool to know the history of them.
lol i hadnightmares about him till i wasin 5 th. grade
10/11/10
I Remember Guby When I Was A toddler; this was 1970, so Gumby was just transferred To Syndication By this point after being dropped by NBC. NBC originally Used this series, according to historians as A fill-in for various segments of "The Howdy Doody Show" in 1956, then was shown on it's own The next year. this NBC show, along with H-B's Ruff & Reddy were already made in color, but NBC could only Broadcast them originally in black & white Until 1559, When they were both Finally Presented in Living Color (the NBC Peacock preceding both Programs were always memorable, but sadly are no longer with the Gumby DVDs).The Gumby series ended syndication temporarily in 1972, when Mr. Clokey reportedly ran into Financial troubles, & had a divorce from his first wife at the time.It Took until 1986 For him to find Renewed Confidence (From a guru in India,with his 2nd wife I'm told; supposedly special Karma Sprinkled on a Gumby Doll to give it good Karma)To Bring back the Gumby series. At the time, it still had the original music from Capitol Records provided by Henry Porch & John Seely.when the show returned again in 1992, the Capitol Music rights featuring music by Seely, Porch, & Raymond Scott Were sold to John Kricfalusi At Spumco productions,for his use in "Ren & Stimpy."This may be the real reason why Mr. Clokey Couldn't use the original soundtracks. Raymond Scott Died in 1994, & his musical scores were still Being used by Spumco Studios, then Games Studios For Continued use in "Ren & Stimpy", so Mr. Clokey spent the rest of his life trying with no avail to retain the Original music scores. Henry Porch & John Seely's incidental music were always popular in cartoons since the 1950's & were always in Public Domain for anyone who wanted them;Even Warner brothers used them for one year (1958)when Milt Franklyn & other W-B musicians were on a musical strike (Carl Stalling,the most famous Musician they had at the time had retired from the business by this point);In 1958, Hanna-Barbera Used the scores of Porch & Seely For background music of Early Ruff & Reddy & Yogi Bear Cartoons; By 1960, they finally Hired a Musician of their own (Hoyt Curtin) for Musical Accompiment;As For Raymond Scott, well, how many cartoons Do you know That continue to use "Powerhouse" to this day since it was composed in 1937? He's the most sought-after of all the Capitol Music publishing Musician/Composers.
10/11/10
I wanted to make a correction: it was 1959 that NBC Presented only "Ruff & Reddy" in Living Color; "Gumby" was presented occasionally in "Compatiable Color" (RCA's Predecessor to "Living Color" in September 1957), then was shown in "Living Color later that year. 45% of NBC's Programming was still in black & white, so you had to have a color TV at the time to see it this way, even if it was expensive.
Thanks for all of your wonderful insight Rob.
I remember gumby! Cool hub. It brought me back Jim.
Thanks for posting. I remember watching Gumby as a kid....
Gumby on the Moon
Why is Gumby, Gumby
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.
k@ri 2 years ago
I loved Gumby! I can remember as a little kid in the 60's watching him Sunday mornings before going to church. I like the part below about why Gumby's head is lopsided. Must have been an extremely funny haircut!