James Francis Ryan (April 21, 1936 – August 31, 2022)[1] was an American screenwriter in the DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, also the Filmation studios[2] and Hanna–Barbera.
Jim Ryan | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Francis Ryan April 21, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 31, 2022 (aged 86) Van Nuys, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 1966–1998 |
Career
editRyan began his career at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, where he penned episodes of The Inspector[3] and scripted the Pink Panther short Psychedelic Pink.[4] At Filmation, he wrote for several cartoons alongside writing partner Bill Danch, including Mission: Magic! (starring Rick Springfield),[5] Shazam!, one of Ryan's few forays into live action,[6] and Fabulous Funnies.[7] Ryan and Danch were head writers of The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty.[8]
His most notable contribution at the studio was Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Ryan wrote early episodes of the series[9] as well as a Christmas special.[10] While working on Fat Albert, Ryan's scripts were reviewed by a panel of teachers and psychologists to ensure there was educational content.[11]
Ryan supervised stories for Hanna-Barbera's Casper and the Angels.[12] While with the studio, he wrote the 1988 film Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf.[13] Other productions Ryan wrote for include Pound Puppies and Tom & Jerry Kids.
In 1996, Ryan wrote an article for The Los Angeles Times, discussing his difficulty finding writing work at 60 years old and critiquing commercialism in animation.[14] His last script was an episode of Hey Arnold!.
Works
editHis works include:
- The Super 6: writer (1 episode)
- The Pink Panther Show: story
- Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down: writer (1 episode)
- Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies: writer (16 episodes)
- Groovie Goolies: writer[15]
- Archie's TV Funnies: writer
- Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: writer (1 episode)
- My Favorite Martians: writer
- The U.S. of Archie: writer (16 episodes)
- The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty: writer
- The New Adventures of Gilligan: writer (5 episodes)
- Shazam!: writer (4 episodes)[16]
- Ark II: writer (1 episode)
- The New Adventures of Batman: writer (1 episode)
- The New Archie and Sabrina Hour: writer
- Galaxy Goof-Ups: story
- Buford and the Galloping Ghost: story
- Yogi's Space Race: story (13 episodes)
- The New Shmoo: story
- Trollkins: story
- The Kwicky Koala Show: writer
- Space Stars: story
- Shirt Tales: story (5 episodes)
- Pink Panther and Sons: story
- The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries: writer (2 episodes)
- Paw Paws: story/writer (9 episodes)
- Pound Puppies: writer (1 episode)
- Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers: writer
- Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf: writer
- A Pup Named Scooby-Doo: writer/teleplay (3 episodes)
- Droopy: Master Detective: writer (7 episodes)
- The Tom and Jerry Kids Show: writer (12 episodes)
- The Cartoon Cartoon Show: writer (1 episode)
- What a Cartoon!: writer (1 episode)
- Hey Arnold!: writer (segment "Hookey")
References
edit- ^ "James Ryan Obituary - Los Angeles, California". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ "Filmation Sets Up See-Hear Cassette Dept". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 12 September 1970. p. 20. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ Rhodes, Gary D.; Hogan, David J. (July 26, 2022). The Palgrave Encyclopedia of American Horror Film Shorts: 1915–1976. Springer International Publishing. p. 646. ISBN 9783030975647.
- ^ Lehman, Christopher P. (January 10, 2014). American Animated Cartoons of the Vietnam Era: A Study of Social Commentary in Films and Television Programs, 1961-1973. McFarland & Company. p. 132. ISBN 9780786451425.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: The shows, M-Z. McFarland & Company. p. 553.
- ^ Muir, John Kenneth (August 21, 2008). The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television (2nd ed.). McFarland & Company. p. 460. ISBN 9780786437559.
- ^ Perlmutter, David (May 4, 2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 186. ISBN 9781538103746.
- ^ "NBC's Saturday line-up of "kiddie" shows". The Telegraph-Herald. August 29, 1975. p. 3.
- ^ "Animated Bill Cosby Special 'Weird Harold' Airs Fri". Ocala Star-Banner. April 27, 1973. p. 24.
- ^ Guida, Fred (August 2, 2006). A Christmas Carol and Its Adaptations: A Critical Examination of Dickens's Story and Its Productions on Screen and Television. McFarland & Company. p. 200. ISBN 9780786428403.
- ^ ""Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids"". Baltimore Afro-American. September 23, 1972. p. D-45.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003. Vol. 1. McFarland & Company. p. 188. ISBN 9780786420995.
- ^ Browning, John Edgar; Picart, Caroline Joan (January 10, 2014). Dracula in Visual Media: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921-2010. McFarland & Company. p. 155. ISBN 9780786462018.
- ^ Ryan, Jim (June 14, 1996). "Confessions of a cartoon writer". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 15A.
- ^ Glut, Donald F. (1984). The Frankenstein Catalog. McFarland & Company. p. 300. ISBN 9780899500294.
- ^ Lentz, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland & Company. p. 2076.