Hanna-Barbera, the iconic animation studio known for creating beloved cartoon characters such as Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, also featured witches and magic in many of their shows. These magical elements added an extra layer of excitement and fantasy to the already captivating storylines. One of the most famous Hanna-Barbera witches is Witch Hazel, a recurring character who made her debut in the 1954 Looney Tunes short film "Bewitched Bunny" before being adapted into several Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Witch Hazel is depicted as an old and ugly witch who uses her magical powers for mischievous and comedic purposes. Her ability to cast spells, brew magic potions, and fly on her broomstick adds a supernatural element to the cartoons she appears in. In another Hanna-Barbera series, "The Super Globetrotters," the character Granny Sweet uses witchcraft and magic to help the Harlem Globetrotters with their basketball games.
Against common sense, the team opted to remove his chalet in 1985 and built a sound tower in its place. The mascot didn’t return until 1993 when the fans voted to reinstate him. The management wised up and put him back – and he’s been the mainstay of the Brewers home games ever since.
The beer mug that the original Bernie the Brewer used to slide into was not returned but can be found on display if you take a tour of the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. In June 1970, a 69 year old rabid fan, Mitt Mason an engineer by trade vowed to sit atop the scoreboard in a trailer until attendance hit 40 thousand.
In another Hanna-Barbera series, "The Super Globetrotters," the character Granny Sweet uses witchcraft and magic to help the Harlem Globetrotters with their basketball games. Granny Sweet possesses a magical bag that can produce various objects, including potions and spells. She often uses her magical abilities to create unexpected scenarios on the basketball court, providing entertaining and comedic moments for viewers.
Bernie Brewer - Milwaukee Brewers
Bernie Brewer is the official mascot for the Milwaukee Brewers. The idea for Bernie Brewer came from a fan. Milt Mason was the original “Bernie the Brewer” who camped in a trailer on top of the Brewer’s scoreboard in 1970. The 69-year-old man said he would not come down until a crowd of 40,000 came to a game.
On bat day, August 16, 1970, 44,387 people showed up for a game and “Bernie” came down off of his perch. But, the idea of Bernie Brewed did not go away and a cheerful character with a big mustache started appearing at Brewers games in 1970. He was so popular that the Brewers built him a chalet (in the shape of a beer barrel) in the outfield bleacher seats. Bernie would slide down a big slide into a beer mug to celebrate home runs and Brewers victories.
Bernie visited with and entertained fans at the ballpark until 1984, when the Brewers remodeled the outfield bleacher seats, got rid of Bernie’s “chalet,” and sent Bernie down to AAA ball.
But, Brewer fans don’t forget and they loved Bernie. So, in 1993 Bernie was brought back up from the Brewers farm system wearing a large lederhosen costume and having a large foam head with a big shaggy yellow mustache. The chalet was taken out of storage and rebuilt. The beer mug that the original Bernie the Brewer used to slide into was not returned but can be found on display if you take a tour of the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee.
When the Brewers moved to Miller Park in 2001, Bernie’s chalet became Bernie’s Dugout and can be found above the bleachers in left field where Bernie does his cheering when he is not out among the Brewer fans. Today, when Bernie slides down a yellow plastic slide it is not into a beer mug but rather onto a home plate-shaped platform where he celebrates home runs and Brewers victories.
- Share Share on Facebook
- Tweet Tweet on Twitter
- Pin it Pin on Pinterest
The team is the product of an expansion, when the Seattle Pilots moved to relocated to Milwaukee after a single season in 1970. The fans were excited to greet them, as the previous team, the Braves, together with their mascot Homer the Brave had moved to Atlanta in 1964. However, the change was so abrupt that the team didn’t even have proper jerseys.
Other Hanna-Barbera cartoons, such as "Scooby-Doo" and "The Herculoids," also incorporated witchcraft and magical elements into their storylines. The presence of witches and magic in these shows added a sense of mystery and wonder, as the characters often had to solve and overcome supernatural challenges using their wits and teamwork. Hanna-Barbera's inclusion of witches and magic in their cartoons contributed to the overall charm and appeal of their shows. These fantastical elements helped to create memorable and entertaining storylines that continue to captivate audiences to this day. Whether it was Witch Hazel's comedic antics, Granny Sweet's magical assistance, or the supernatural encounters faced by the Scooby-Doo gang, Hanna-Barbera's witchcraft and magic infused their cartoons with an extra dose of excitement and enchantment..
Reviews for "Hanna Barbera's Witchcraft Universe: A Guide to the Magical Beings"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Hanna Barbera Witch Magic" as I loved their other cartoons, but I was extremely disappointed. The animation was very dated and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The jokes were also not very funny and it felt like the writers were trying too hard. Overall, I just couldn't get into the show and found it to be quite boring.
2. Mike - 1/5
"Hanna Barbera Witch Magic" is by far one of the worst cartoons I have ever seen. The storyline is weak and doesn't make much sense, and the animation is of poor quality. The voice acting is also subpar and it feels like the characters have no depth. I was expecting a fun and entertaining show, but instead, I was left feeling frustrated and annoyed. I would not recommend this cartoon to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was hoping "Hanna Barbera Witch Magic" would be a nostalgic and enjoyable watch, but unfortunately, it fell short. The plot was predictable and lacked any real excitement. The characters were forgettable and I had a hard time connecting with them. The animation was also quite outdated, which was disappointing. Overall, I was not impressed with this cartoon and found it to be quite forgettable.
4. David - 2.5/5
While "Hanna Barbera Witch Magic" had its moments of charm, overall, I found it to be underwhelming. The animation was decent but nothing exceptional, and the storyline felt repetitive and uninspired. The characters were likable to a certain extent, but lacked depth and development. The humor also missed the mark for me. It's not the worst cartoon out there, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to recommend it.