Fernando Montealegre
Sam Clayberger
Vera Hanson
Monday, July 24, 2006
Hanna Barbera Backgrounds-Montealegre
Here's some screen caps of backgrounds from the Huckleberry Hound Show by Fernando Montealegre and one by Vera Hanson and Sam Clayberger. I wish I had the originals as that would obviously be much cooler but this will do. It's hard to find out any information on the artists but Montealegre was the background artist for Michael Lah's Droopy shorts at MGM before Hanna and Barbera opened their studio. He worked there through at least the mid 70's as a painter and also background supervisor. I can only find Vera Hanson being credited as a background artist at HB, so who knows where else she may have worked. Sam Clayberger in addition to working at HB also worked on Mr. Magoo and later The Bullwinkle show and George of the Jungle. I really love background art from cartoons, particularly MGM's late 30's and 40's backgrounds but as far as stylized backgrounds go early Hanna Barbera are the best.
Wow. Great find.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on backgrounds right now and this just makes me feel inadequate. Those are terrific. I've always been a fan of the Montealegre backgrounds. Plus I always thought the name was cool.
Wow, those are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you manage to find gems like this, it's amazing :)
Thank you for the posts! Quite educational :)
These are just screen caps from the DVD set. I'm glad you guys like them as much as I do. There will be some more Montealegre coming soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat BGs. Takes me back to when I was a kid and wanted to live in those worlds, 'cause they were so appealing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I wonder if Vera Hanson is the same Vera Ohman who was a background painter at MGM in the mid-50s, on the Avery shorts among other things.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Vera Hanson is the same Vera Ohman who was a background painter at MGM in the mid-50s, on the Avery shorts among other things.
ReplyDeleteI wonder too, it seems that most of the crew at MGM when Hanna Barbera were producing went with them to television. I'm going to see if I can find that out.
>>I wonder if Vera Hanson is the same Vera Ohman who was a background painter at MGM in the mid-50s, on the Avery shorts among other things.<<
ReplyDeleteYes that's the same lady. Ed Benedict was the one who recommended that she paint BGs for Tex Avery-first for The 3 Little Pups.
Tex wanted a "modern" style for his cartoons, hired Ed to design them. Ed felt that the other BG painters wouldn't be able to paint in a modern style and suggested that Tex try out Vera.
Lynne Naylor and I met her after she retired in Solvang, where shee worked in a cuckoo clock shop!
She was very nice and friendly and she really loved Ed!
She married the production manager for Hanna Barbera-I forget his first name, but it's in the credits on the TV cartoons.
Post some Art Lozzi BGs too Kevin! Daffy Daddy, Robin Hood Yogi, and others...
Wow, thanks for that great info John. I don't think I would have ever found that much info out. Actually, I did a post on Art Lozzi and Robert Gentle some time ago though I am going to go back and post more work from both of them. Thanks for the cartoon suggestions, I'll use them as examples. By the way the new DVD is great, there's always something new to see each time I watch it, whether it's a gag or just a great expression or pose.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm also scanning in some layouts and stuff from Three Little Pigs for a post, I'll be sure to include her backgrounds too.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, I mean Three Little Pups.
ReplyDeleteWhats up everybody!I happen to have an oil on canvas by F.Montealegre of a,or what appears to be a samoan woman.Is it worth anything to anyone?
ReplyDeleteFernando was a friend of my ex-husband when he lived in Belmont Shores, CA in the 1970's. Montealegre was a genius who painted some outstanding pieces. He gave most of them away, some of which he gave to my ex-husband. Any artwork by him would, in my opinion, be priceless.
ReplyDeleteTNBearcat
I didn't know there were so many people out there who have the same interests in cartoon backgrounds as I have. I am looking for info on the guys who did the Scooby Doo backgounds, those are just awesome, does anyone know where to get more info on that?
ReplyDeleteBruce P.
Scooby backgrounds? As Charlie Brown would say, "AUUGGH!":)
ReplyDeleteMy dad and Fernando Montealegre (Uncle Nano to me and Monte/Montie?) to my dad, were friends all of their lives and roommates in college. Fernando was best man at my parent's wedding in 1955. We have a couple of paintings by Fernando but the largest one he painted with my dad in it, is missing. My dad gave it to Fernando for safe keeping while he was out of the country and we don't know what happened to it. I have a picture of a Christmas dinner with the painting in the background. If anyone has any ideas on how to find the painting or if you could put me in touch with any of Fernando's friends, I'd appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteRonda
Wonderfull!
ReplyDeleteThis blog inspired me to make one of my own (with Hanna Barbera backgrounds)