I was reminded of Felix The Cat by Ima Case, who writes a terrific blog here on Blogstream. Brought back a lot of cool childhood memories. It begs the question: Why can't I see Felix on TV anymore? Also, why can't I see:

HECKLE & JECKLE, the talking magpies. This was my early introduction to iconoclasts. H & J were anti-Establishment before anybody knew what the Establishment was. They had no respect for anybody, especially authority figures. They even gave cops a bad time in their cartoons. Could it be that the subtle, underlying message in those 'toons was to think for yourself, and live life as you see fit?

HERMAN & CATNIP, who were an obvious Tom & Jerry knockoff from Harvey Comics. Unlike Tom & Jerry, Herman and Catnip actually spoke. Herman had a Brooklyn accent like Bugs Bunny, and like the old Tom & Jerrys, he and the cat tried to kill each other. Too violent? I don't think so. Funny? I think so.

POPEYE, the old black & white versions. The background art was incredibly detailed. Some episodes were half an hour long. The dialogue was actually semi-intellectual. The audible mumblings of the various characters was at times hilarious. They were later replaced by some gawd-awful color cartoons that had the intelligence level of potted plants. They were seen on Cartoon Network until about 5 years ago. Please, CN?

HOPPITY HOOPER, a very hip frog. Produced by the people who brought you Bullwinkle, Hoppity was accompanied by Uncle Waldo, a dignified wolf voiced by the late, great Hans Conried, and Fillmore the bear, who always carried a bugle with him wherever he went. Like Rocky & Bullwinkle, the episodes were divided into continued parts, and were chock full of puns. My all time favorite Hoppity storyline involved the three of them being held prisoner by The Grand Asparagus.

KLONDIKE KAT, a feline in the RCMP. His nemesis was an ornery French-accented mouse named Savois Faire, whose catch-phrase was "Savois Faire is everywhere!" Invariably, the usually inept Klondike would catch Savois, and would then say his catch-phrase, "Klondike Kat always gets his mouse!

THE PINK PANTHER, a spinoff from the Inspector Clouseau films, this panther was genuinly pink. He never spoke, but did a lot of physical humor. These cartoons, IMHO, were terrific. The Pink Panther theme by Henry Mancini always played in the background. The only downside was that the creators put a laugh track in the cartoons. Not neccessary in cartoons.

Come to think of it, can you find a place where you can see Bugs, Porky, & Daffy? I can't. Today's toon-loving kids are being culturally deprived!