What other iconic characters did Art Clokey create?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the iconic characters created by Art Clokey, particularly focusing on Gumby and Davey and Goliath. Participants share their memories and experiences related to these characters, reflecting on their cultural significance and personal impressions of the shows.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recall having rubber Gumby and Pokey toys, suggesting they were widely popular among children.
  • Others express ambivalence towards the shows, noting that they did not particularly enjoy "Davey and Goliath" but watched it due to limited options.
  • A participant mentions the unique concept of Gumby phasing into books and interacting with characters, highlighting the show's imaginative aspect.
  • Some participants reflect on the religious themes of "Davey and Goliath," while others argue that "Gumby" did not carry similar connotations.
  • Several participants share nostalgic memories of playing with various board games, including those featuring Gumby and Pokey, and discuss their experiences with other toys from their childhood.
  • There is a humorous exchange regarding the perception of the shows and toys, with some participants joking about their lack of interest in them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of fondness and indifference towards the shows created by Art Clokey. While some appreciate the creativity of Gumby, others find the shows unappealing. There is no consensus on the religious implications of the shows, with differing views presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reflect on their childhood experiences with limited entertainment options, which may have influenced their perceptions of the shows. The discussion also touches on the broader context of toys and games from that era, indicating a nostalgic lens through which these characters are viewed.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the history of animation, nostalgic reflections on childhood entertainment, or the cultural impact of iconic characters in media may find this discussion engaging.

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Art Clokey, the animator who half a century ago created Gumby, that most pliant of pop-cultural figures, died on Friday at his home in Los Osos, Calif. He was 88...

Clokey also produced “Davey and Goliath,” the adventures of a clay boy and his dog, broadcast in the 1960s and ’70s.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/arts/television/11clokey.html

Who had a rubber Gumby and Pokey set?

I remember getting up early Sunday mornings and watching Davey and Goliath. I never really liked the show [it was religion-based and I already went to church six days a week!] but watching it was about all that I could do that early in the morning without making noise. Gumby was cool but I have no idea why.

[Rubber Pokey jokes barely avoided...]
 
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Who didn't have a rubber Gumby and Pokey?

I don't know anyone that actually liked the show, but there was nothing else to watch back then.

RIP Art Clokey.
 
This was before the advent of television and electricity, right? :devil:
 
Cyrus said:
This was before the advent of television and electricity, right? :devil:

No, but well before you were born. It was at least fifteen years ago.
 
I still have a Davey and Goliath Advent calendar. I don't recall ever liking the show, but if we were to sick to go to church, we had to watch the show.
I'm sure Art Clokey saved my soul. RIP
 
I even had the Gumby and Pokey board game where the tokens you moved around the board were miniature Gumbys and Pokeys in different colours and you could sit Gumby on Pokey's back. What was that show about, again, anyway?
 
I thought Gumby was great.


My favorite episodes were A.) the one with the robots, and B.) the one with the Hopi Indians
 
Of course, plenty at YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5AD32D3Dyk
 
GeorginaS said:
I even had the Gumby and Pokey board game where the tokens you moved around the board were miniature Gumbys and Pokeys in different colours and you could sit Gumby on Pokey's back. What was that show about, again, anyway?
Glad you asked that question! Gumby had this ability to sort of "phase" through books (stories); where he would then interact with the characters.

I've always loved clay-mations, so Gumby was pretty cool to me.

Eddie Murphy as Gumby was pretty funny too...

gumby_l.jpg


"I'm Gumby dammit!"
 
  • #10
FrancisZ said:
Glad you asked that question! Gumby had this ability to sort of "phase" through books (stories); where he would then interact with the characters.

That's it! I'd forgotten that that's what he did, enter into books. I liked Gumby and Pokey as toys and the teevee show. I think I chewed on my Gumby's feet whole bunch, though. But yes, thank you for the memory refresh. :smile:
 
  • #11
I didn't have many toys as a kid, but Gumby and Pokey would not have been high on my Christmas list, at any rate. The show was a real bore. Our next-door neighbors' kids used to play with Mr. Potato Head, and I never understood the fascination there, either.
 
  • #12
lol - you - I remember them. I had a pair of them at some point in my childhood.
Looking back, I just can't help seeing them as some serious 'religious orientation' tv.
 
  • #13
Alfi said:
lol - you - I remember them. I had a pair of them at some point in my childhood.
Looking back, I just can't help seeing them as some serious 'religious orientation' tv.

That was definitely true with Davey and Goliath, but Gumby? Really? I don't remember the show having any particular religious connotation.
 
  • #14
Opps - my mistake. I mixed up the names. You are correct, Davey and Goliath were the religious ones, not the Gumby.
 
  • #15
Gumby!
He was once a little green slab of clay.
Gumby!
You should see what Gumby can do today.
He can walk into many books
With his pony pal Pokey too.
If you've got a heart, then Gumby's a part of you.
 
  • #16
I hear that Gumby got rubbed out.
 
  • #17
turbo-1 said:
Our next-door neighbors' kids used to play with Mr. Potato Head, and I never understood the fascination there, either.

Of course our Mr Potato Head only came with body parts, we has to supply our own potato. Cootie was another thing I just didn't understand.
 
  • #18
hypatia said:
Of course our Mr Potato Head only came with body parts, we has to supply our own potato. Cootie was another thing I just didn't understand.
My sisters and I got Cootie from an aunt. I think we played the game once. It's purely a matter of chance which body part you can get on your turn, so being the first to assemble a complete Cootie was not real rewarding - just luck.
 
  • #19
I vaguely remember Cootie from when I was maybe 4 years old. Too young to follow any rules, so to me it was just a toy that I could play with.

Hmmm, I wonder what other random memories are waiting to be dredged up.
 
  • #20
I remember the Rube Goldberg take-off "Mousetrap" game that was more fun to build and operate than actually play.
 
  • #21
Loren Booda said:
I hear that Gumby got rubbed out.

boooooooo! :)
 
  • #22
Kerplunk, anyone?

ETA: I loved Mr. Potatohead! My parents refused to buy one for my sister and me, but I played with it at friends' places. Loved, loved, loved.
 
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  • #23
My Favorite was the game of life. you got to choose going to college or fast tracking as a non-skilled laborer.


You got married, had kids, got too many kids and had to get a second car to carry all of the kids. Bought a house, got jobs, promotions, won the lottery.

Ah, those were the days.

Who had a "mystery date" game? "Will he be a dream <ahhh>, or a "dud"? <iggggh>
 
  • #24
I liked playing Life, Monopoly, Mousetrap, Battleship, Doctor...
 
  • #25
Battleship!

And, when you think about it, The Game of Life was kinda creepy, was it not?

I had a fascination for Clue until I figured out the trick to winning. But I still liked all of the accessories that came with it.
 
  • #26
GeorginaS said:
And, when you think about it, The Game of Life was kinda creepy, was it not?

It is even creepier now. :biggrin:

Oh, you meant the board game.
 
  • #27
Evo said:
My Favorite was the game of life. you got to choose going to college or fast tracking as a non-skilled laborer.


You got married, had kids, got too many kids and had to get a second car to carry all of the kids. Bought a house, got jobs, promotions, won the lottery.

Ah, those were the days.

Fame, happiness, money. I wonder how the game would be played nowadays?