Growing up I had a great affection and as was a huge fan of Filmation studios (I mean I was/am a Filmation zombie). Even though you might not be familiar with the name, I'll bet you probably have watched or are familiar with a few of their productions.

Norm Prescott, Hal Sutherland, & Lou Scheimer

Filmation was constantly experimenting with it's programs. From the Laugh-In like Groovie Goolies, to live action and pro-social/educational shows such as Fat Albert and Shazam!, respectively, to the bizarre lampooning Uncle Croc's Bloc, or the spectacular realism of Tarzan & The Lone Ranger- Filmation consistently tried to break ground and integrate new ideas and techniques into their work.

While many people find fault with Filmation's cost-cutting animation techniques, they have to admit that Filmation produced exciting, fun and very imaginative shows that are remembered very fondly by those who grew up watching them. What also must be known is that while almost all other series animation was being sent overseas to be done by foreign animators on the cheap, Filmation did all of their animation in house in America and cut costs by other means.

ARK II

At their very best, Filmation shows boasted a superior quality that has rarely been matched by their successors. Filmation's continued pioneering work displayed not only a rare commitment to quality, but have retained a lasting impact which has changed children's television for the better.

Their superior production values raised the standards in general, upping the ante, if you will. These achievements should not be forgotten. One prime example was The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979). This is simply the best media representation of Flash since the original comic strip. This can be attributed tu the fine animators, writers and producers Lou Scheimer and Norm Prescott the power behind Filmation (and it's these guys names you always saw spinning in a circle at the end of the shows).

Over the years, the splintering of the Filmation library to a wide--and bewilderingly confusing--number of copyright holders managed to keep most of these fine shows off the air and video shelves, much to fans frustrations.
Now- a ray of animated sunshine, BCI is about to release the bulk of the Filmation library on DVD (several have already been released as of this writing). Some of the best live action shows ever produced for Saturday morning televison are on there way to DVD. Look out for Ark II, Space Academy, Jason of Star Command and even more animated shows to be released!

Notable TV animated series from Filmation included:

1960s
. Rod Rocket (1963)
. The New Adventures of Superman (1966..1967 CBS)
. The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967..1968 CBS)
. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1967 ABC)
. Aquaman (1968 CBS)
. The Archie Show (1968 CBS)
. The Batman/Superman Hour (1968..1969 CBS)
. Fantastic Voyage (1968 ABC)
. The Adventures of Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder (1969..1970 CBS)
. The Hardy Boys (1969 ABC)

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SPACE ACADEMY

ISIS

1970s
. Dick Tracy (single segment on Archie's T.V. Funnies) (1971)
. Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1971..1974 CBS)
. Lassie's Rescue Rangers (1973..1974 ABC)
. The Brady Kids (1972..1974 ABC)
. Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 NBC)
. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972 CBS)
. My Favorite Martians (1973 CBS)
. The New Adventures Of Gilligan (1974 ABC)
. The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty (1975 NBC)
. Groovie Goolies (1970 CBS & ABC)
. Shazam! (live-action TV series) (1974 CBS)
. The Secrets of Isis (live-action TV series) (1975 CBS)
. The Ghost Busters (live-action TV series) (1975 CBS)
. The New Adventures of Batman (1977 CBS & NBC)
. Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1976 CBS)
. Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down? (1970 ABC)
. Ark II (live-action TV series) (1976 CBS)
. Space Academy (live-action TV series) (1977 CBS)
. Tarzan and the Super 7 (1978 CBS & NBC)
. Jason of Star Command (live-action TV series) (1979 CBS)
. Uncle Croc's Block (1975 ABC)
. Mission: Magic (1973 ABC)
. The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979..1981 NBC)
. Space Sentinels (1977 NBC)
. Fabulous Funnies (1978 NBC)
. Mighty Mouse, Heckle & Jeckle, & Quackula Adventure Hour (1979 CBS)
. The Brown Hornet (single segment on Fat Albert) (1979 CBS)

1980s
. Blackstar (1981 CBS)
. Lone Ranger (1980 CBS)
. The New Adventures of Zorro (1981 CBS)
. Bravestarr (1987..1989 Synd)
. Gilligan's Planet (1982 CBS)
. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983..1985 Synd)
. Kid Superpower Hour with Shazam! (1981 NBC)
. She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985..1987 Synd)
. Sport Billy (1982 NBC)
. The Adventures of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1984..1985 Synd)
. The Original Ghostbusters (animated) (1986..1988 Synd)
. The Tarzan/Lone Ranger Adventure Hour (1980..1981 CBS)
. The Tarzan/Lone Ranger/Zorro Adventure Hour (1981..1982 CBS)
Tom & Jerry Comedy Show (1980 CBS)