'Josie & The Pussycats In Outer Space' Rocks Groovy Thanks To Animator Alex Toth
Cartoon Classic Fun Will Delight Animation and Sci-Fi Fans
Josie, in Outer Space. Pussycats are all in place. (ahhhhhhh) Blasting off on another chase!
Mars, stars, the Milky Way, when they're groovin' who can say. Buckle up your seatbelts!
Show Theme Song Lyrics
Josie & The Pussycats In Outer Space blasted off on the CBS television network in 1972. Although on its surface it appears merely a Saturday morning kiddie show, it rocks groovy for adults. Both animation and sci-fi fans will find much to savor and champion in this offbeat spin-off from the classic Josie and The Pussycats cartoon TV show. Yes, it can be tempting to chalk it up to an anachronistic relic of a simpler, even immature past. Looking closely at it for another go, these harmonizing cats will surprise many who’d mistakenly dismiss them too quickly.
Legendary illustrator and animator Alex Toth lent his celebrated artistry to designing the look and weird worlds which Josie and her musical pussycats encounter. Toth worked on truly legendary productions, including, Super Friends, Space Ghost, Herculoids and Birdman. His celebrated work is worthy for a host of reasons, but just taking a quick look into Toth’s distinctive artistic style, hardcore animation fans will be more than pleased.
Artistic Impact: Alex Toth & Iwao Takamoto
Animation seems like genuine magic. By any measure, it’s an otherworldly artform. When we sit down to watch an animated production, we can be transported like no other artistic medium. It remains that special entertainment place where artists get to literally create their own unique reality. These crafted worlds, while somewhat familiar, can completely transport us to new experiences full of exotic people, places and things. Two artists who worked on JATPIOS provide fans with plenty of intriguing visuals.
Another artist contributed greatly to the pop culture success and put his stamp on the still cool look of the show. Production Designer, Iwao Takamoto, is a name familiar to dedicated animation fans. He worked as an artist on several Disney films, including Lady and The Tramp, and he designed the iconic Scooby-Doo
Musical Cats - The Voice of an Angel
Josie and her exploring Pussycats tour their galactic venues as a groovy musical group, so it’s no wonder that the tunes heard throughout the show rock us out. Singer Patrice Holloway provided lead vocals. While a familiar face, and an angelic one at that, from classic TV, gives voice to the character of Melody. Cheryl Ladd, most known for her role as Kris Munroe on TV’s crime busting landmark, Aaron Spelling’s Charlie’s Angels, provided Melody with her sweet vocals.
Fair Warning: Music makes us move. You may find yourself snapping your fingers and singing along when you watch. The series music and bouncy songs may not win any Grammy Awards, but on the Saturday Morning level, they’re a lot catchier and better produced than many a flash in the pan cartoon.
Cheryl Ladd is credited as the smooth singing voice of Melody, but actually she and Patrice Holloway alternated singing lead on all the program’s songs, both in the television series and for tracks on the records released to be purchased by fans. The third singing Pussycat credited as the voice of Josie was Cathy (Catherine) Dougher, whose real name is Kathleen Dougherty. She was an operatic singer who sang backup to Cheryl and Patrice. Cheryl Ladd is credited as Cherie Moor since her maiden name is Stoppelmoor, this was before she married David Ladd, son of movie actor Alan Ladd.
Josie and The Pussycats In Outer Space probably won’t change your current concept of the known universe, but it’ll delight retro animation fans, especially those who love sci-fi trips of fancy. The alien cultures and bizarre creatures the gang meet may not be quite up to other known science fiction standards such as Star Trek or Star Wars, but thanks to the talents of character and model designer Alex Toth and production designer Iwao Takamoto. you’ll experience a load more fantastic fun than what can be found in a simple kiddie cartoon.
Always wanted a crossover between Josie in space and Gilligan’s Planet. LOL!