Cartoon Network - "Mr. Spim's Cartoon Theatre" Opening

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Credit for this clip goes to Steve Oakes of "Curious Pictures", who's also the co-founder of this company:

http://www.curiouspictures.com/commercials/directors_oakes.html


This is the opening for Cartoon Network's early-to-mid '90's weekend movie showcase, "Mr. Spim's Cartoon Theatre". "Mr. Spim's" was perhaps the checkerboard network's first attempt at a regular block for movies and specials, and it was in it that they aired their (short) library of animated movies, most notably the "Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10" telefilms along with other animated films from the Hanna-Barbera and pre-1986 MGM libraries. The "Mr Spim's" franchise was rather short-lived though, and fizzled out sometime during the late '90's, presumably mid-1997 when Cartoon Network went through a drastic make-over and re-launched itself with the "Powerhouse" theme which it would use from 1997 to 2004.

The opening to "Mr. Spim's"..........well, words can't really describe its randomness and abstractness so you call it. It is definitely based around a movie theater premise, though I don't know if that weird-ass big head at the end of the opening is supposed to be the enigmatic "Mr Spim".

"Mr Spim's Cartoon Theatre", a usually Sunday evening showcase, was most remembered for being preceded by premieres of then-new "World Premiere Toons" shorts throughout 1995-1996. The cartoon short/feature-length combination was perhaps a nod by Cartoon Network to the "Golden Age" of movies and animation, during which animated shorts would air before a movie or presentation. As most old-school CN fans should know, the "World Premiere Toons" (later "What A Cartoon!") series of shorts were the precursor to the later "Cartoon Cartoons" shows.

Enjoy!!!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• cartoon
• network
• 1990's
• mr
• spim
• opening
• bumper
• promo
• id
• commercial

[2footrides]

Wow i remember this, i use to love this opening when i was like three or four. Something i always wanted to know was... who was Mr. Spim??

[SuperAdventures]

I don't think we ever found out.....perhaps it was just the name given to the block. I suspect that "Mr.Spim" is that weird head at the end of the video.

[FishDemon00]

Wasn't there an opening of the Cartoon Network theaters/theatres with the fake Paramounts Mountain, MGM Lion, and the girl who hold up the torch while holding books in her other arm? I really enjoyed the part where the girl's dress was blown by the wind.

[SuperAdventures]

Yes, but that was a later incarnation of Cartoon Network's weekend animated film franchise, known as simply "Cartoon Theatre". It aired during the late '90's-early '00's. "Mr. Spim" lasted up until around 1997-ish.

[RyanGoldsworthy]

Too bad Cartoon Network sucks now. <:(

[vipewolf]

Hey, there's NOTHING wrong with anime!

[wileyk209zback]

I actually remember one time, Mr. Spim's Cartoon Theatre showed some of those DePatie-Freleng Dr. Seuss specials of the 1970s (like "The Lorax" and "Dr. Seuss on the Loose") all edited into one 90-minute or 2-hour compilation.

[Tshot88]

People, every time I even *think* of or recall that I used to watch Mr. Spim's Cartoon Theater when I was just a little kid makes me feel privileged to have grown up in such a beautiful and wonderful era ... the 90s.

This show, out of nowhere, reminds me of the Real Adventures of Johnny Quest.

[boondockchick20]

i was hunting for this. its been so long

[Cartoonothing]

And just for those who don't actually know, Mr. Spim is that head who appears at the end of this bumper.

[Floobegusted]

Odd I remember some of the bumpers and things on the old cartoon network but I do not remember this.

[cyberyanmar]

ca-reeeepy!

i remember this opening it used to scare mu ass out

[satinsguard]

Voltaire animated this. That's cool.

[Rabbitearsblog]

Wow.... this is so weird and kooky and yet so awesome at the same time!!! I love this opening!!!

[Treyworld]

Now THAT is art. What happened, Cartoon Network?

[Gmancrap]

Whats hte one where the girl is tlaking about hte cartoon library?