About
"It all came out of my subconscious...like a daydream. I'd write a story and the muse would come out. It's been a big miracle."
In his three-hour interview, Art Clokey (1921-2010) speaks of his work creating and producing the classic clay-animated character "Gumby," which debuted on Howdy Doody. He recalls "Gumby" soon having his own show on NBC and having many resurgences since his debut. He speaks about his work producing Davey and Goliath, a series created for the Lutheran Church and syndicated throughout the country. He details several other projects, including the toy for children "Moody Rudy," and a talk show co-hosted with his wife, Arthur and Guinevere. Karen Herman conducted the interview on July 19, 2001 in Los Osos, CA.
Highlights
Art Clokey on creating Gumby
Art Clokey on the themes and religious elements of Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on his realization about the power of the film medium, while studying at USC
Art Clokey on his early art film "Gumbasia"
Art Clokey on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences
On his family moving to California and leaving his family; on his interests as a child; on attending college
On his experience in World War II; on studying geology
Chapter 2
On working with film during World War II; on his realization about the power of the film medium while studying at USC
On creating commercials for Coca-Cola; on "Pixelation"; on his early art film "Gumbasia"
Chapter 3
On creating Gumby; on selling the Gumby pilot to NBC; on the debut of the "Gumby" character on Howdy Doody
On the making of a Gumby episode and some specific episodes; on the framing device of Gumby and how the animation for the show worked; on the colors and character of "Gumby"
Chapter 4
On the heart emblem he used on Gumby and the philosophy behind the series; on the first Gumby series on NBC and its first host Pinky Lee; on dealing with NBC and Lorimar on producing Gumby
On the character of "Pokey" on Gumby; on the recording sessions for Gumby; on the characters of "Gumby's" parents on Gumby
On "The Blockheads" on Gumby and other characters on the show; on his favorite Gumby episodes; on creating Davey and Goliath and the premise of the show
Chapter 5
On opening a new studio and juggling producing Davey and Goliath and Gumby at the same time; on the themes and religious elements of Davey and Goliath; on the voice actors of Davey and Goliath
On his animators and the Gumby theme song; on working on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show; on bringing Gumby back in 1966 and the audience for Gumby
On the toy "Moody Rudy"; on his short-lived show Arthur and Guinevere; on the film "Mandala"
On Eddie Murphy's parody of "Gumby" on Saturday Night Live and the Gumby episode "Small Planets"; on the return of Gumby in 1986
Chapter 6
On the 1986 version of Gumby and the 1995 Gumby movie; on the enduring legacy of Gumby; on merchandising Gumby
On his advice to young producers; on career highlights and his father; on how he'd like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from his career- in his studio in Topanga Canyon; picture of his father; his foster father; with his father and sister; still from Gumby; all of the characters from Gumby; the "cast" of Gumby around a Christmas tree; "King Arthur's" caste with "Gumby" from the Gumby movie; Ruth Clokey working on Davey and Golith; Ruth Clokey holding a "Goliath" puppet; set of Davey and Goliath; Gloria Clokey with Gumby and Pokey; working on the Gumby episode "Moon Trip"; with several "Gumbys"; storyboard of Gumby characters; with his children Joe and Ann
Shows
Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on creating Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on the premise of Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on the themes and religious elements of Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on the voice actors of Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on opening a new studio and juggling producing Davey and Goliath and Gumby at the same time
Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The
Art Clokey on working on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Gumby
Art Clokey on creating Gumby
Art Clokey on selling the Gumby pilot to NBC
Art Clokey on the making of a Gumby episode and some specific episodes
Art Clokey on the framing device of Gumby and how the animation for the show worked
Art Clokey on the colors of Gumby
Art Clokey on the character of "Gumby" on Gumby
Art Clokey on the heart emblem he used on Gumby and the philosophy behind the series: "an act of love to children"
Art Clokey on the first Gumby series on NBC and its first host Pinky Lee
Art Clokey on dealing with NBC and Lorimar on producing Gumby
Art Clokey on the character of "Pokey" on Gumby
Art Clokey on the recording sessions for Gumby
Art Clokey on the characters of "Gumby's" parents on Gumby
Art Clokey on "The Blockheads" on Gumby and other characters on the show
Art Clokey on his favorite Gumby episodes
Art Clokey on his animators and the Gumby theme song
Art Clokey on bringing Gumby back in 1966
Art Clokey on the audience for Gumby
Art Clokey on the return of Gumby in 1986
Art Clokey on the 1986 version of Gumby and the 1995 Gumby movie
Art Clokey on the enduring legacy of Gumby
Art Clokey on merchandising Gumby
Howdy Doody
Art Clokey on the debut of the "Gumby" character on Howdy Doody
Saturday Night Live
Art Clokey on Eddie Murphy's parody of "Gumby" on Saturday Night Live and the Gumby episode "Small Planets"
Topics
Advice
Art Clokey on his advice to young animation producers
Historic Events and Social Change
Art Clokey on working with film during World War II
Pop Culture
Art Clokey on his animators and the Gumby theme song
Television Industry
Art Clokey on his advice to young animation producers
TV Theme Songs
Art Clokey on his animators and the Gumby theme song
War
Art Clokey on working with film during World War II
World War II
Art Clokey on working with film during World War II
Professions
Animation Executive
Art Clokey on his advice to young animation producers
Animation Professionals
Art Clokey on his advice to young animation producers
Animator
Art Clokey on his advice to young animation producers
Genres
Animation
Art Clokey on animated TV advertising campaigns he did for Coca-Cola
Art Clokey on creating and producing Gumby
Art Clokey on creating and producing Gumby
Art Clokey on creating and producing Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on creating and producing Davey and Goliath
Art Clokey on the cultural impact of Gumby and its various returns
Art Clokey on later incarnations of Gumby and its legacy
Commercials
Art Clokey on animated TV advertising campaigns he did for Coca-Cola
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Art Clokey on working on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
People
Pinky Lee
Art Clokey on the first Gumby series on NBC and its first host Pinky Lee
Eddie Murphy
Art Clokey on Eddie Murphy's parody of "Gumby" on Saturday Night Live and the Gumby episode "Small Planets"
Dinah Shore
Art Clokey on working on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show