Gumby, 53 Years of Entertaining America

In 1955 Art Clokey made a short animated film called Gumbasia, with shapes of clay moving to music playing in the background. The film was created using stop-motion animation, a technique that when used with clay figures is called claymation. The clay object is placed on a set, and a film frame is taken. The camera is then stopped, the character is moved into another position and filmed, and the process continues until enough film frames are taken to complete the animated story.

Movie producers saw the film, and Clokey was asked to create a claymation character for children’s television. After many trials to see which form worked best with the animation technique, Gumby was born in 1956. According to Gumby.com, Gumby’s optimal height was 7 inches tall, and his body was created from simple geometric shapes. This form allowed Gumby to be cut from a large slab of clay, and duplicate forms were easily made. This is very important because during the filming the lights heat up the Gumby doll and he becomes misshapen from the continuous bending of his body and needs to be replaced often.

Gumby’s final shape includes an asymmetrical bump on his head. According to npr.org, this shape was inspired by Art Clokey’s father who had a very unruly head of hair and a large cowlick that stuck up on one side of his head. Gumby’s green color reflects Clokey’s love of nature and the environment, and his desire for Gumby to symbolize that. (Gumby.com)

After the finalization of Gumby’s form, pilot shows featuring Gumby were made. In 1956, the short films were shown on Howdy Doody. In 1957, Gumby was given his own show, The Gumby Show, on NBC. Each episode contained three animated short films; in between which the host of the show would entertain the audience from “The Fun Shop.” Gumby enjoyed many adventures with his faithful sidekick Pokey. In the 1960s, new friends came along. His dog Nopey, and his friends Prickle, a yellow dinosaur, and Goo, a blue mermaid joined the show. Sometimes Gumby and friends would run into his enemies, The Blockheads. Gumby’s parents Gumbo and Gumba were even added to the show.

At this time, Gumby merchandise was very popular. There were bendable Gumby and Pokey dolls, costumes, puppets, candy, toys, pencil toppers, key chains and much more. By the late 60s, Gumby’s popularity had waned, and the show went into syndication.

Gumby made a comeback in the 1980’s largely due to the Saturday Night Live skit with Eddie Murphy playing a disgruntled Gumby. A new series called Gumby Adventures came out, showing the old Gumby episodes along with brand new ones by Clokey. New merchandise as well as episodes on videotape could be purchased.

Since then, Gumby has appeared on television commercials and even enjoyed a year as the spokescharacter for the Library of Congress in 1994. In 1995, Gumby starred in his own feature film, Gumby: The Movie. Gumby episodes can now be bought on DVD, and he even has his own video game!

In 2005, Gumby’s 50th birthday celebration took place. A year later the Center for Puppetry Arts showed an exhibition called “GUMBY: Art Clokey the first fifty years.” It ran until March of 2007, and can still be viewed at www.TDAExhibitions.com.

For over 50 years, Gumby has educated and entertained children and adults alike. Generations have grown up watching Gumby and his friends, and now grandparents can share Gumby with their grandchildren. A lovable character, he remains in the hearts of people all around the world.

Check out our website for a great selection of Gumby collectibles and memorabilia. Have fun creating your own adventures with Gumby, Pokey, and the other claymation characters!

Posted Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm EST by Nicole
Read more in Character of the Week

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