Gumby facts for kids
Gumby is a famous dark green clay figure. He starred in many American television shows, a movie, and other media. Gumby is well-known for being an amazing example of stop motion clay animation. This is a special way of making movies where clay models are moved tiny bits at a time and photographed. Gumby has become a popular character, inspiring many tributes and even a video game and toys. His adventures aired on channels like PBS, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.
How Gumby Started
Gumby was created by Art Clokey in 1953. The very first short film was called Gumbasia. It was only three minutes long. This film showed lumps of clay moving to music. It was a funny take on the movie Fantasia.
In 1955, Art Clokey showed Gumbasia to a movie producer named Sam Engel. Engel was impressed! He paid Art to make a longer, 15-minute movie called Gumby Goes to the Moon.
Gumby then got his own TV show on NBC in 1957. At first, female actresses gave Gumby his voice. New episodes were made in 1962. That's when Dallas McKennon became the voice of Gumby.
Meet the Characters
Gumby has many friends and some tricky enemies!
- Pokey is Gumby's best friend. He is a talking orange pony.
- The Blockheads are Gumby's main enemies. They are two human-like figures. They are red and have block-shaped heads. The Blockheads were inspired by characters who always got into trouble.
- Nopey is Gumby's dog. All he ever says is "nope."
- Prickle is a yellow dinosaur. He sometimes acts like a detective. He even wears a pipe and hat, just like Sherlock Holmes.
- Goo is a flying blue mermaid. She can spit blue goo balls. Goo can also change her shape whenever she wants.
- Gumba and Gumbo are Gumby's mother and father.
- In later shows from 1988, Gumby's sister Minga joined the fun. His friend Denali also appeared. Denali is a mastodon.
Gumby's Shows and Movies
Gumby has appeared in many different shows and movies over the years.
- Gumbasia: Baby Gumby (1954): This was Gumby's very first appearance.
- The Gumby Show (1956 - 1981): These episodes aired on NET.
- Gumby Adventures (1983 - 1997): This series aired on PBS from 1983 to 1989. It later aired on Nickelodeon from 1994 to 1997.
- The Puppetoon Movie (1987): Gumby, Pokey, and Arnie hosted this movie.
- Gumby: The Movie (1995): This was Gumby's first full-length movie.
- Gumby vs. the Astrobots (2005): Gumby was a character in this video game.
- Gumby's 50th Anniversary (2005): This was a special celebration for Gumby.
Images for kids
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Screenshot of the video game Gumby vs. the Astrobots
