The Ant and the Aardvark


The Ant and the Aardvark is a series of [|17 theatrical short cartoons] produced at DePatie–Freleng Enterprises and released by United Artists from 1969 to 1971.

Plot

The cartoon series follows attempts of a blue aardvark named Aardvark attempting to catch and eat a red ant named Charlie, usually doing so by inhaling with a loud vacuum cleaner sound. The aardvark character is essentially unnamed; in the episode Rough Brunch, he claims his name is simply "Aardvark." Charlie Ant gives his nemesis a variety of names as sly terms of endearment. In several bumper sequences of The Pink Panther Show, he is called "Blue Aardvark."

Production

The Ant and the Aardvark series was originally released by United Artists. Seventeen theatrical shorts were produced in the original series, and were subsequently featured in various television syndication packages, usually shown with DFE's other characters such as the Pink Panther and The Inspector. Most of the 17 entries appear in their television syndication form on the video on demand service Amazon Video.
When The Ant and the Aardvark first appeared on The New Pink Panther Show in the fall of 1971, the series became wildly popular, so much in fact that the duo became a featured part of the NBC series. Even though the 17 entries remained popular throughout the broadcast run of The Pink Panther Show, no new entries were produced.
The series used several unique production techniques for the period. The aardvark's body was solid blue: his only clothes—a pair of blue shorts and matching T-shirt—were a matching blue. Similarly, Charlie Ant was solid red, and did not sport any clothing. As such, the character's solid colors allowed them to stand out clearly against the multi-colored backgrounds featured prominently in the series. Charlie also sported half-closed eyes, as a sign of a bon viveur.
Musical director Doug Goodwin was responsible for the jazzy music score. Goodwin assembled an established group of jazz session musicians to perform the series' theme music and musical cues. For the first time in animated cartoons, all six musicians—Ray Brown, Billy Byers, Pete Candoli, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Rowles and Tommy Tedesco—received on-screen credit.
Art Leonardi was responsible for the main title graphic for all DePatie-Freleng entries. For The Ant and the Aardvark series, Leonardi expanded on a technique first introduced for the first Pink Panther cartoon, The Pink Phink. This entailed tearing paper into the forms of objects and characters to form stylized images.

Additional characters

There were additional minor characters in the series. Among them were the following:
In German-dubbed versions of the cartoon, the male aardvark is transformed into a female anteater named Elise. Charlie remains male; Elise is voiced by Marianne Wischmann. The cartoons are known under the title Die blaue Elise .

Filmography

All voices provided by John Byner unless otherwise noted.
No.TitleDirected:Story by:Release date:Additional voices:Synopsis:
1The Ant and the AardvarkFriz FrelengJohn W. DunnMarch 5, 1969The ant spots a picnic and goes there to relax and collect some food. When the aardvark shows up, he tries to eat the ant.
2Hasty But TastyGerry ChiniquyJohn W. DunnMarch 6, 1969The aardvark uses something called "Instant Hole" to try to catch the ant. When it fails, his trick backfires on him.
3The Ant from UncleGeorge GordonJohn W. DunnApril 2, 1969The aardvark tries to invite the ant to a "Relaxation Club." The club is actually the aardvark's stomach.
4I've Got Ants in My PlansGerry ChiniquyJohn W. DunnMay 14, 1969The Blue Aardvark has a battle against another aardvark called the Green Aardvark to see who gets to eat the ant.
5Technology, PhooeyGerry ChiniquyIrv SpectorJune 25, 1969The aardvark builds and programs a computer to help him try to catch the ant. He listens to the computer's advice, but it does not do the aardvark much good.
6Never Bug an AntGerry ChiniquyDavid DetiegeSeptember 12, 1969The aardvark tries to use his vacuum inhale trick so he can have the ant for lunch.
7Dune BugArt DavisJohn W. DunnOctober 27, 1969The aardvark finds the ant at a beach and tries to catch the ant like always; however, he must get past the nearsighted lifeguard, who believes he is a dog and will not allow him on the beach.
8Isle of CapriceGerry ChiniquyDavid DetiegeDecember 18, 1969The aardvark is marooned on a deserted island, with another one full of ants in the distance. He tries to get to the other island by any means possible, but a shark will not make it easy for him.
9Scratch a TigerHawley PrattIrv SpectorJanuary 28, 1970Marvin MillerA tiger who owes the ant a favor is tasked with keeping him and his fellow ants safe from the aardvark.
10Odd Ant OutGerry ChiniquySid MarcusApril 28, 1970The Blue Aardvark and the Green Aardvark have another battle for who gets to eat a can of chocolate-covered ants.
11Ants in the PantryHawley PrattJohn W. DunnJune 10, 1970The aardvark takes over an exterminator's job for catching ants. The aardvark tries to get to get rid of the ant by, like always, trying to make him his meal.
12Science FrictionGerry ChiniquyLarz BourneJune 28, 1970A scientist is trying to study the ant and will not let the aardvark ruin his studies.
13Mumbo JumboArt DavisJohn W. DunnSeptember 27, 1970The ant, as a member of the Brothers of the Forest Lodge 202, has a gang of animal friends, especially an elephant, that will not let the aardvark eat the ant.
14The Froze Nose KnowsGerry ChiniquyDale HaleNovember 18, 1970A very heavy snowstorm hits the forest, forcing the aardvark to use winter-themed tactics to catch and eat the ant.
15Don't Hustle an Ant with MuscleArt DavisDale HaleDecember 27, 1970The ant discovers a jar of vitamin strength pills that make him have stronger and larger muscles, giving him the upper hand against the aardvark.
16Rough BrunchArt DavisSid MarcusJanuary 3, 1971When the aardvark, yet again, tries to eat the ant, a termite helps the ant.
17From Bed to WorseArt DavisJohn W. DunnJune 16, 1971Athena LordeThe aardvark and the ant both get broken legs, so they are put in a hospital where the aardvark still tries to have the ant for lunch.

Credits

The first revival featured the characters as part on the 1993 incarnation of The Pink Panther. The characters remained unchanged, though unlike the original 1969-1971 cartoons, they do not appear in their own segments but rather are included in segments featuring the Pink Panther. John Byner returned to voice both Charlie Ant and the Aardvark.
The second revival occurred in 2010 as part of Pink Panther and Pals. Eddie Garvar voices the Aardvark, who retains his previous characterization. Kel Mitchell, using his natural voice, voices the Ant.

Home video

The complete series was digitally remastered and issued on its own single-disc DVD collection by MGM Home Entertainment/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 2007 as The Pink Panther and Friends Volume 5: The Ant and the Aardvark.
The complete series reappeared in January 2009 as part of the DVD collection Pink Panther & Friends Classic Cartoon Collection by MGM Home Entertainment, a 9-disc DVD set containing all Pink Panther, Ant and the Aardvark, Inspector and Roland and Rattfink cartoons.
The Ant and the Aardvark was released onto Region 1/A Blu-ray and DVD on 27 April 2016.