Calvin and the Colonel: The Reincarnation of Amos 'n' Andy

I love this book! It was only recently that I got the chance to see Calvin and The Colonel on TV for the first time ever; the show premiered when I was a baby. Kevin Scott Collier really did his homework on this classic.So many of the cartoons my generation enjoyed wouldn't be considered PC today, and sadly Calvin and The Colonel is one of them because it was "reincarnated" from Amos 'n' Andy. And it is a pity, because the show is so fun to watch and a nice trip to my lost childhood.I would like to see more books like this... perhaps about yet another controversial cartoon, Go Go Gophers.

I have purchased several of Mr. Collier's books on animation (Super President, Tom Terrific, Cereal Capers, etc) and although each of the books have been a good read, Calvin and the Colonel is the most comprehensive book in the series.The book traces the history of the cartoon and even gives a brief history of the creators who also were the creators of the megahit Amos 'n' Andy. The book contains stills from the ill fated Amos 'n' Andy cartoons of the '30s, model sheets of main characters in the Calvin and the Colonel cartoon series, a history of how the show got on the air and how it suffered a quick death and original synopsis pages describing the plots of numerous Calvin and the Colonel cartoons. There is also a section pertaining to merchandising and collectibles that were manufactured during the early '60s. Highly recommended.

The first time that I saw "Calvin and the Colonel" on DVD, I thought that this cartoon was absolutely hilarious! I found it quite interesting to hear that this was a "reincarnation" of the old "Amos and Andy" series. Since Freeman Godsen and Charles Correll had voiced the characters of Calvin Burnside & Colonel Montgomery J. Klaxon; a bear and a fox with southern voices! Definitely a classic cartoon! Cartoons such as "Calvin and the Colonel", "The Flintstones", "Top Cat", "Wait Till your Father Gets Home", and "Where's Huddles?" were prime time cartoons that were more adult-oriented cartoons which had paved the way for series such as "The Simpsons", "Family Guy", "American Dad", and "Futurama". This cartoon definitely has shades of the old "Amos and Andy" radio and television series! The characters are definitely reminiscent of characters from both series! This was a definite cartoon classic.

I’m a cartoon affictionado, and when I first read about “Calvin and the Colonel”, it was in Hal Erickson’s two volume encyclopedia of Television cartoon shows. I then watched some episodes on YouTube, and I admit that this series was extremely funny and hilarious! But I didn’t realize that it was an animated reincarnation of the classic radio and TV series, “Amos and Andy” with the characters becoming animals with a southern dialects. What’s also ironic, is that the creators, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll both voiced the lead characters of Calvin Burnside; a lumbering Bear, and Colonel Montgomery J. Klaxon; a sly, scheming Fox. The book contains some fascinating facts about the creation of this classic cartoon series. The scripts for the episodes were based on the old episodes of the “Amos and Andy” radio and TV shows. This book makes a welcome addition to my cartoon book collection!