Psychedelic Saturdays: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of “The Banana Splits”

By Michael Lyons

Saturday morning television doesn’t get more off-the-wall, more bonkers, more “huh?,” more ‘60’s than “The Banana Splits”...and there’s a whole generation that’s just fine with that.

From the reigning kings of Saturday morning, Hanna-Barbera, came this hour long show (a rarity for Saturday morning television at the time) combining live-action and cartoons with psychedelic sets and original rock music.  Yep, you read that right.

“The Banana Splits” has gained a following that ranges from rose-colored memories from the generation that grew up with the show to cult status from later generations who would discover this addictive TV oddity years after.

September 7th marked the 50th anniversary of “The Banana Splits” debut on NBC, which makes this the perfect opportunity to hop in our “Banana Buggies” and take a trip back in time to celebrate this unique Saturday morning offering. 

The official title was “The Banana Splits Adventure Hour’ and was hosted the by the title characters, a fictional rock band, which was comprised of Fleegle (a dog), Bingo (an orangutan), Drooper (a lion) and Snorky (an elephant).  They were actors in costumes (which were actually designed by puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft, who would go on to contribute their own off-beat brand of Saturday morning shows like “HR Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost”).

The design of the costumes were very well done and came across as Hanna Barbera characters come to life.  They had unique touches, like odd, Spartan-like helmets and shaggy fur on Snorky the elephant.

The Banana Splits would hang out in their candy-colored clubhouse acting as hosts for the show, taking part in quick comedy skits (most of the slapstick kind) and performing their original songs (in VERY ‘60’s versions of what could be called some of TV’s first music videos).

During some of the other segments, The Banana Splits would go head-to-head with their arch enemies, The Sour Grapes (who were a group of adolescent girls) or race around in their “Banana Buggies” (large, all-terrain vehicles).

Throughout the hour, The Banana Splits would also introduce cartoons, which had been produced especially for the show.  There were the two adventure cartoons, “The Three Musketeers” and “Arabian Knights,” as well as the contemporary, “Fantastic Voyage”-like “Micro Ventures.”  Additionally, there was the comedic “Hillbilly Bears” and the live-action serial episodes of “Danger Island” (which were directed by Richard Donner, who would later go on to helm such Hollywood blockbusters as 1985’s “The Goonies” and the “Lethal Weapon” franchise).

“The Banana Splits Adventure Hour” was sponsored by Kellogg’s cereal.  In fact, the show would open each week with the four titular characters holding giant spoons, standing in front of signs of different Kellogg’s cereals and essentially delivering a commercial message, as they introduced the show.  Television sponsorship has truly changed throughout the years

In another act of synergy, the opening and closing credits of the show featured The Banana Splits cavorting at Kings Island Theme Park.  At the time, the Park was owned by Taft Broadcasting Company, who just also happened to own Hanna-Barbera.  It was a very canny way to cross-promote.

In 1972, there was a return of the characters in the one time, hour-long “movie,” “The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park.”   Produced for the “ABC Saturday Superstar Movie,” the four stars find themselves transported into an offbeat, cartoon world.

Years later, the “Adventure Hour” was edited down to half-hour shows simply called “The Banana Splits” and placed into syndication.  In addition to the original segments, cartoons such as “Atom Ant,” “Secret Squirrel,” “The Adventures of Gulliver” and the live-action/animated “The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” were added.  Because the show was paired down like this, the original “Adventure Hour” is difficult to find today.

Another reason why “The Banana Splits” has faded in popularity, outside certain circles.

Yes, it’s off the wall, yes, it’s bonkers, yes, it is SO ‘60’s, but “The Banana Splits” is also the type of daring and original (albeit strange) children’s TV show that rarely gets made.

It’s also a prime example of Saturday Morning memories that have sadly become extinct.

They just don’t make ‘em like this any more.  To which, some would say, “Good!”...while fans of “The Banana Splits” would ask “Why Not?!?”

Sources:

IMDb 

Wikipedia