Magilla Gorilla

Magilla Gorilla was an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera that first premiered on Boomerang in 1964 and ran through 1967. This comedic cartoon was a delightful part of many children's television experience during the mid-1960s and contributed significantly to the pop culture of that era. The main characters in this cartoon include Magilla Gorilla, Mr. Peebles, and Ogee, and their interactions, adventures, and misadventures form the core of the series.

The title character, Magilla Gorilla, is an anthropomorphic gorilla who resides in Mr. Peebles' Pet Shop. Unlike a typical, wild gorilla, Magilla walks upright, speaks in somewhat broken English, and is often seen wearing suspenders, a bow tie, and a derby hat. He is gentle, lovable, yet somewhat clumsy and naïve, which often gets him into amusing predicaments. Versatile voice actor Allan Melvin lent his considerable talents to the character of Magilla, bringing the engaging gorilla to life.

Mr. Peebles, the pet shop owner, is a small, cranky man who struggles with an enduring problem: the difficulty of selling Magilla. The gorilla, despite his likeable personality, is notoriously hard to sell, primarily due to his size and the chaos he often inadvertently causes. This ongoing dilemma forms a large part of the series' theme, with each episode usually involving some ambitious, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to find Magilla a new home. Howard Morris provides the voice for this economically troubled character, infusing Mr. Peebles with a degree of charm despite his often irascible disposition.

Elevating the show's emotional dimension is a young girl named Ogee, who regularly visits the pet shop and adores Magilla. Her refrain, "Magilla Gorilla for sale! Oh, how much is that gorilla in the window?", a play on the popular song "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?", is one of the show's most enduring lines. Ogee is truly devoted to Magilla, often expressing her wish to own him. Unfortunately, she never has the means to buy him, which adds a bittersweet note to their friendship.

The narrative of Magilla Gorilla is not centred on progressing story arcs or complex plots. Instead, each episode follows a standalone formula, meant to be humorously entertaining rather than deeply provocative. Despite the recurring theme of Mr. Peebles' unsuccessful attempts to sell Magilla, a sense of continuity is maintained by the ongoing interactions among the main characters, especially the special bond between Ogee and Magilla. Several different characters also pass through Mr. Peebles' pet shop, bringing their unique personalities to interact with Magilla and adding color and variety to the episodes.

The show is infused with the characteristic Hanna-Barbera humor, combining slapstick comedy, hilarious confusion, and lighthearted mockery of the human condition. The humor is innocent and simple, making the show suitable for children while also appealing to adults with its nostalgic charm and witty dialogues.

Magilla Gorilla, like many classic Hanna-Barbera productions, also features a recurring set of secondary characters such as Punkin' Puss & Mushmouse and Ricochet Rabbit & Droop-a-Long Coyote, who appear in segments within the main show. These segments also follow the same pattern of simple, innocent humor.

Artistically, Magilla Gorilla is reflective of the distinctive Hanna-Barbera style, with its brightly colored artwork, simplistic design, and fluid animation. The sound design, too, is of particular note, with a lively musical score that brings additional energy to the on-screen antics.

Surprisingly, touching on the occasional social themes of acceptance, belonging, and friendship, Magilla Gorilla managed to pack some thought-provoking messages beneath its layer of humor. Even if these themes were not the focus of the show, they added an extra layer of depth to the otherwise comedic narrative.

In conclusion, the Magilla Gorilla show, with its unique blend of humor, likable characters, and enduring theme of a misfit seeking a place in the world, has remained in the hearts of viewers long after its original airing concluded in 1967.