This Near-Forgotten Cartoon Was The First Animated Show Made For Television

On August 1, 1950, the world saw the birth of the very first animated series tailored for television, Crusader Rabbit. This groundbreaking show, produced by the talents of Alex Anderson and Jay Ward, followed the daring escapades of Crusader, a heroic rabbit, and his loyal companion Rags, a sensitive tiger. The zany duo embarked on multi-episode quests, much to the delight of audiences.

The voice of Crusader Rabbit was delivered by Lucille Bliss, a talented actress known for her distinctive vocal talents in various Disney films, including Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella, as well as the Smurfs. Anderson and Ward, creators of Crusader Rabbit, drew inspiration from Anderson's uncle, the founder of Terrytoons, Paul Terry, despite his reluctance to participate.

The team behind Crusader Rabbit employed limited animation, a technique characterized by the reuse of frames to create basic, repetitive movements. This approach, while different from the fluid animation prevalent in movie theaters, was the only feasible option given the strict budgets and tight turnaround times of the time. As the team honed their skills, the animation quality improved, reflecting their growing understanding of the medium.

Crusader Rabbit, consisting of 23 crusades and 455 four-minute episodes, paved the way for future animated television shows. The valuable lessons learned from the experience were instrumental in Anderson and Ward's next project, 1959's Rocky and His Friends, a variety series that aired under various titles before being released as The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends.