BEHIND THE STORY...
One of my first jobs at Cartoon Network was working on a direct-to-cable feature starring the Flintstones. The network was thinking of the made-for-cable feature as a way to build up it some of its older, classic characters. In some way, they were considered long pilots. If the revival was successful, a new series might spring from it. I instantly thought of Yogi Bear. I have always thought Yogi Bear is one of the great characters and set-ups ever created at Hanna-Barbera. He has continued to be one of their biggest stars. I thought a fun feature might re-ignite interest in him. When I pitched it to the head of development, she stated that she loved Yogi, and thought the idea was funny and a good springboard for other Yogi productions, perhaps a series of features or specials. I then wrote out a fairly detailed outline for the project, which she also liked. However, the next time she was out, she told me the Yogi pitch and all classic character pitches were dead. The network was in a cost savings mode and did not want to invest new money in old properties.
And now my pitch...
Yogi Bear’s War of the Wolves
A Made for Cable Feature Proposal by John Cawley
Jellystone Park is all a buzz with the news! Wolves are being “re-introduced” to the Park! Visitors are excited. Ranger Smith is excited. Yogi… Yogi could not care less. “Just more meat for the fleas, Boo Boo.”
All that changes when the wolf pack arrives. These cool canines prove to be smooth talkers and a tight clan. (Think - cross between the Rat Pack and The Sopranos.) Their endangered species status makes them top dogs among the forest creatures and visitors. Suddenly, everyone wants to “look at the wolves, look at the wolves, look at the wolves” with little interest in a “dusty old fat bear”. (Yogi admits to being a bit untidy and mature, but never fat!)
Soon Yogi can’t find a bite to eat because these natural born canine con men are getting all the goodies! It quickly becomes a battle of wits between Yogi and the wolves to get the most food from the tourists. Ranger Smith steps in; promising strict punishment for those caught begging or stealing food. Yogi and the wolves agree to a truce until things cool down.
While Ranger Smith is putting up new “Do not feed the bears AND wolves” signs, he discovers a basket near Yogi’s cave. Under the gun, literally, Yogi is able to convince the Ranger it is the wolves that have continued “their thieving ways.”
Though Yogi has saved his own bearskin, he is now an outcast at Jellystone, as the forest folk consider Yogi a “squealer”. That afternoon, the wolves are caged for shipment back North, Yogi, now mostly friendless, considers leaving Jellystone himself. As he is saying good-bye to Boo Boo he discovers a clue that indicates the wolves may not be guilty.
Yogi and Boo Boo assist in a late night escape of the wolves. With less than 24 hours to find the true thieves, the wolves and bears will have to work together. Yogi’s individuality (“one for all and all for me”) clashes directly with the family/pack mentality of the wolves. However both eventually learn the virtues of each other’s style.
Just as time and their patience with each other are running out, they locate the real thief (a surprise guest star). This clears the wolves to stay in Jellystone and redeems Yogi in the eyes of the forest folk. Even the wolves admit Yogi is smarter than the average bear… which still leaves him about “half as smart” as a wolf.
The rivalry is obviously going to continue… but on a much friendlier basis.
NOTES ON THE PRODUCTION
I want to keep the visuals and tone as true to the original 1959-62 Yogi concept as possible. Even to the point of using some of the classic craft folks now at Cartoon Network Studios and drawing on the original music for scoring. This is not a “re-creation”.
However, the timing and humor will be more in tune with modern sensibilities. (Satire and topicality were hallmarks of many of the early HB shorts.) In fact, I hope to be able to utilize multigenerational elements, like music, to bridge the eras. It would be great to have music by, say, a Tom Jones (or The Monkees), a Helen Reddy (or Dolly Parton), and a Limp Bizkitt (or Offspring)… at different points of course!
text, image and format © John Cawley
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