Arthur Clokey (born Arthur Charles Farrington ; October 12, 1921 – January 8, 2010) was an American animator, director, producer, screenwriter and voice actor, he was pioneer in the popularization of stop-motion clay animation , best known as the creator of the character Gumby and the original voice of Gumby's sidekick, Pokey. Clokey's career began in 1953 with a film experiment called Gumbasia , which was influenced by his professor, Slavko Vorkapich , at the University of Southern California . Clokey and his wife Ruth subsequently came up with the clay character Gumby and his horse Pokey, who first appeared in the Howdy Doody Show and later got their own series The Adventures of Gumby , from which they became a familiar presence on American television. The characters enjoyed a renewal of interest in the 1980s when American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy parodied Gumby in a skit on Saturday Night Live .
40-635: Clokey's second-most famous production is the duo of Davey and Goliath , funded by the Lutheran Church in America (now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ). Clokey founded the company Premavision (which has manufacturing subsidiary, Prema Toy Company) around his Gumby and Pokey franchise. Arthur Charles Farrington was born in Detroit on October 12, 1921. After his parents' divorce when he
80-500: A Mountain Dew soda commercial in 2001, with the royalties from the commercial used to fund the production of the 2004 Christmas special entitled Davey & Goliath's Snowboard Christmas . The holiday special addressed both religious and racial diversity as Davey demonstrates his snowboarding expertise to two friends: Sam, a Jewish boy, and Yasmeen, a Muslim girl. During the course of the show, they get caught in an avalanche and end up in
120-454: A Mountain Dew soda commercial in 2001, with the royalties from the commercial used to fund the production of the 2004 Christmas special entitled Davey & Goliath's Snowboard Christmas . The holiday special addressed both religious and racial diversity as Davey demonstrates his snowboarding expertise to two friends: Sam, a Jewish boy, and Yasmeen, a Muslim girl. During the course of the show, they get caught in an avalanche and end up in
160-412: A cave. Goliath goes for help while Davey and his new friends find out that they really aren't all that different. The three children wind up learning of each other's holiday celebrations: Jewish Hanukkah , Christian Christmas and Muslim Eid . The program had become a fixture on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings on TV stations (both religious and secular) across the country during the 1960s and 1970s. In
200-412: A cave. Goliath goes for help while Davey and his new friends find out that they really aren't all that different. The three children wind up learning of each other's holiday celebrations: Jewish Hanukkah , Christian Christmas and Muslim Eid . The program had become a fixture on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings on TV stations (both religious and secular) across the country during the 1960s and 1970s. In
240-443: A day after what would have been Clokey's 90th birthday, Google paid homage to his life and works with an interactive logo doodle in the style of his clay animations, including Gumby , produced by Premavision Studios. Davey and Goliath Davey and Goliath is a Christian clay-animated children's television series , whose central characters were created by Art Clokey , Ruth Clokey, and Dick Sutcliffe , and which
280-509: A new children’s show: Davey and Goliath . Scripts were written by children’s book author Nancy Moore in consultation with the church; Moore would go on to pen several episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater in the 1970s and early 1980s. The ULCA and Art Clokey teamed up to make the first Davey and Goliath episode in 1960, called "Lost in a Cave", which would be the first shown in syndication in 1961. In this premiere episode,
320-443: A new children’s show: Davey and Goliath . Scripts were written by children’s book author Nancy Moore in consultation with the church; Moore would go on to pen several episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater in the 1970s and early 1980s. The ULCA and Art Clokey teamed up to make the first Davey and Goliath episode in 1960, called "Lost in a Cave", which would be the first shown in syndication in 1961. In this premiere episode,
360-518: The Gumby series, Davey and Goliath premiered in syndication on February 25, 1961 as a Saturday feature, and lasted until 1965. By May 1961, it was reported that "Millions of children in cities and towns across the United States and Canada are talking about two new television stars, 'Davey and Goliath'." Davey's friends Nathaniel (in the 1960s episodes) and Jonathan (in the 1970s episodes) were some of
400-416: The Gumby series, Davey and Goliath premiered in syndication on February 25, 1961 as a Saturday feature, and lasted until 1965. By May 1961, it was reported that "Millions of children in cities and towns across the United States and Canada are talking about two new television stars, 'Davey and Goliath'." Davey's friends Nathaniel (in the 1960s episodes) and Jonathan (in the 1970s episodes) were some of
440-607: The Odyssey Network ran the entire series commercial-free from 1992 until 1999. Since the network's rebranding as the Hallmark Channel in 2001, they have only aired a few of the holiday specials with several commercial breaks, including the Snowboard Christmas special made in 2004. In 2008, iTunes began offering episodes as free downloads. By December of that year, more than 20 episodes had been made available. Nowadays,
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#1732884278088480-430: The Odyssey Network ran the entire series commercial-free from 1992 until 1999. Since the network's rebranding as the Hallmark Channel in 2001, they have only aired a few of the holiday specials with several commercial breaks, including the Snowboard Christmas special made in 2004. In 2008, iTunes began offering episodes as free downloads. By December of that year, more than 20 episodes had been made available. Nowadays,
520-445: The 1980s, commercial stations began gradually dropping the series. Religious stations picked it up in many markets and ran it in their blocks of Christian children's programs. By 1990, only a handful of commercial stations still aired the series. The show continued to air on CatholicTV Network until late in 2009, on Tri-State Christian Television also until 2010 and still aired on a few local Christian television stations. On cable,
560-445: The 1980s, commercial stations began gradually dropping the series. Religious stations picked it up in many markets and ran it in their blocks of Christian children's programs. By 1990, only a handful of commercial stations still aired the series. The show continued to air on CatholicTV Network until late in 2009, on Tri-State Christian Television also until 2010 and still aired on a few local Christian television stations. On cable,
600-481: The background music changed to an unknown music library, one that was also used in the Gumby episodes produced during that time. Davey was closer to junior high-school age and was voiced by Norma MacMillan. "Happy Easter" confronted the death of a loved one, as Davey's beloved grandmother dies suddenly (off-camera) within hours of a fun-filled visit. After an almost 30-year hiatus, Davey and Goliath were next seen as part of
640-433: The background music changed to an unknown music library, one that was also used in the Gumby episodes produced during that time. Davey was closer to junior high-school age and was voiced by Norma MacMillan. "Happy Easter" confronted the death of a loved one, as Davey's beloved grandmother dies suddenly (off-camera) within hours of a fun-filled visit. After an almost 30-year hiatus, Davey and Goliath were next seen as part of
680-430: The clay figures were now clothed with real cloth, and more model buildings and trees were added, making the episodes look somewhat more realistic. In 1961, the series of these four episodes began airing free on local television stations nationwide, primarily Big Three ( ABC , CBS and NBC ) network affiliates and independent stations , as well as noncommercial educational stations. Occasionally, two or more stations in
720-430: The clay figures were now clothed with real cloth, and more model buildings and trees were added, making the episodes look somewhat more realistic. In 1961, the series of these four episodes began airing free on local television stations nationwide, primarily Big Three ( ABC , CBS and NBC ) network affiliates and independent stations , as well as noncommercial educational stations. Occasionally, two or more stations in
760-577: The episodes cost 99 cents each. Until the beginning of October 2018, the series was shown on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) Saturday afternoons. During the week, it was televised on the TBN-owned Smile of a Child network, which is carried on digital subchannels of TBN affiliates. Goliath (fictional dog) Davey and Goliath is a Christian clay-animated children's television series , whose central characters were created by Art Clokey , Ruth Clokey, and Dick Sutcliffe , and which
800-511: The figures were entirely clay (with some latex/rubber clothing showing visible seams) and the scenery was also mostly clay. The early voices included Hal Smith (who did a number of voices including Davey's father), Dick Beals (who was Davey's voice) and Ginny Tyler (who did the voice of Sally's and Davey's mother). These three did many other voices as well. After making "Lost in a Cave" in 1960, Clokey made "The Wild Goat", "Stranded on an Island" and "The Winner" in early 1961. In these episodes,
840-511: The figures were entirely clay (with some latex/rubber clothing showing visible seams) and the scenery was also mostly clay. The early voices included Hal Smith (who did a number of voices including Davey's father), Dick Beals (who was Davey's voice) and Ginny Tyler (who did the voice of Sally's and Davey's mother). These three did many other voices as well. After making "Lost in a Cave" in 1960, Clokey made "The Wild Goat", "Stranded on an Island" and "The Winner" in early 1961. In these episodes,
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#1732884278088880-400: The first black characters to appear as friends of a television show's white lead character. After its initial run, several 30-minute holiday-themed episodes were created in the late 1960s. The series then resumed with some new characters in 1971 and continued until 1973. In 1975, a final 30-minute summer episode was created. In 2004, Joe Clokey and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ,
920-400: The first black characters to appear as friends of a television show's white lead character. After its initial run, several 30-minute holiday-themed episodes were created in the late 1960s. The series then resumed with some new characters in 1971 and continued until 1973. In 1975, a final 30-minute summer episode was created. In 2004, Joe Clokey and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ,
960-624: The hour-long documentary Gumby Dharma as part of their Truly CA series. In 1995, Clokey directed and co-wrote (with his second wife, Gloria) Gumby: The Movie , a feature film. The movie was not a success at the box office and was widely panned by critics, although it saw modest success on home media, going on to sell more than a million copies on home media, cementing itself as a cult classic . Clokey died in his sleep on January 8, 2010, at age 88, at his home in Los Osos, California , after suffering recurrent bladder infections. On October 13, 2011,
1000-418: The same market aired the show, at several times. Many stations ran these episodes leading into network Saturday-morning lineups. Other stations ran them in religious Sunday-morning lineups between other evangelists' programs. By 1964, the show was airing in over 90% of U.S. television markets. In 1965, Davey and Goliath returned to television when a 30-minute Christmas special called "Christmas Lost and Found"
1040-418: The same market aired the show, at several times. Many stations ran these episodes leading into network Saturday-morning lineups. Other stations ran them in religious Sunday-morning lineups between other evangelists' programs. By 1964, the show was airing in over 90% of U.S. television markets. In 1965, Davey and Goliath returned to television when a 30-minute Christmas special called "Christmas Lost and Found"
1080-539: The show is explicitly faith-based, there is no content specifically about the Lutheran Church, which made broadcasters more comfortable with the idea of an overtly religious mainstream children's show. The only reference to Lutherans in the show was the theme song, an instrumental version of " A Mighty Fortress Is Our God ", and the Luther rose displayed in the opening theme and end credits. Following Clokey's success with
1120-433: The show is explicitly faith-based, there is no content specifically about the Lutheran Church, which made broadcasters more comfortable with the idea of an overtly religious mainstream children's show. The only reference to Lutherans in the show was the theme song, an instrumental version of " A Mighty Fortress Is Our God ", and the Luther rose displayed in the opening theme and end credits. Following Clokey's success with
1160-613: The successor body to the LCA, produced a new special, Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas . In 1958, Franklin Clark Fry , president of the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA), put aside $ 1 million to fund production of a future television program for children. Soon after, the ULCA contracted with Clokey Productions, Inc. , headed by Gumby creators Art and Ruth Clokey, to create
1200-404: The successor body to the LCA, produced a new special, Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas . In 1958, Franklin Clark Fry , president of the United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA), put aside $ 1 million to fund production of a future television program for children. Soon after, the ULCA contracted with Clokey Productions, Inc. , headed by Gumby creators Art and Ruth Clokey, to create
1240-474: The viewer can hear him speak) as they learn the love of God through everyday occurrences. Many of the episodes also feature Davey's parents John and Elaine, his sister Sally, as well as Davey's friends: Jimmy, Teddy, and Nathaniel in earlier episodes, and Jonathan, Nicky, and Francisco in later ones. In general, the characters find themselves in situations that have to be overcome by placing their faith in God. While
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1280-428: The viewer can hear him speak) as they learn the love of God through everyday occurrences. Many of the episodes also feature Davey's parents John and Elaine, his sister Sally, as well as Davey's friends: Jimmy, Teddy, and Nathaniel in earlier episodes, and Jonathan, Nicky, and Francisco in later ones. In general, the characters find themselves in situations that have to be overcome by placing their faith in God. While
1320-556: The visually rich Mandala (1977)—described by Clokey as a metaphor for evolving human consciousness—and the equally bizarre The Clay Peacock (1959), an elaboration on the animated NBC logo of the time. Consisting of animated clay shapes contorting to a jazz score, Gumbasia so intrigued Samuel G. Engel, then president of the Motion Pictures Producers Association, that he financed the pilot film for what became Clokey's The Gumby Show (1957). The title Gumbasia
1360-454: The world around them. Clokey later studied geology at Pomona College , where his new father Joseph was an organist, before leaving in 1943 to join the military during World War II . He graduated from his father's alma mater, Miami University , in 1948. Art Clokey also made a few highly experimental and visually inventive short clay animation films for adults, including his first student film Gumbasia (produced in 1953 and released in 1955),
1400-600: Was about 8, he lived with his father; when Arthur was 9, his father was killed in an automobile accident. Rejoining his mother in California, the boy was banished by her new husband and placed in a children’s home. At about 11, young Arthur was adopted by Joseph Waddell Clokey , a well-known composer of sacred and secular music. At Webb School in Claremont, young Clokey came under the influence of teacher Ray Alf, who took students on expeditions digging for fossils and learning about
1440-584: Was aired. The episode was more overtly religious in nature and distanced itself from traditional Christmas figures such as Santa Claus and Rudolph, with religious Christmas songs included. This would also be the last episode featuring Dick Beals as the voice of Davey. In 1967, three 30-minute holiday specials were aired: "Happy Easter" in March, "Halloween Who-Dun-It" in October, and "The New Year Promise" in December. By now,
1480-435: Was aired. The episode was more overtly religious in nature and distanced itself from traditional Christmas figures such as Santa Claus and Rudolph, with religious Christmas songs included. This would also be the last episode featuring Dick Beals as the voice of Davey. In 1967, three 30-minute holiday specials were aired: "Happy Easter" in March, "Halloween Who-Dun-It" in October, and "The New Year Promise" in December. By now,
1520-622: Was in homage to Walt Disney's Fantasia . In 1987, Clokey provided the voice for the figure Pokey in Arnold Leibovit 's film The Puppetoon Movie , and voiced him thereafter. The Clokeys are credited with the clay-animation title sequences for the 1965 beach movies Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini . His son, Joe Clokey, continued the Davey and Goliath cartoon in 2004. In March 2007, KQED-TV broadcast
1560-477: Was produced first by the United Lutheran Church in America and later by the Lutheran Church in America . The show was aimed at a youth audience, and generally dealt with issues such as respect for authority, sharing, and prejudice. Eventually, these themes included serious issues such as racism, death, religious intolerance and vandalism. Each 15-minute episode features the adventures of a boy named Davey Hansen and his "talking" dog Goliath (although only Davey and
1600-477: Was produced first by the United Lutheran Church in America and later by the Lutheran Church in America . The show was aimed at a youth audience, and generally dealt with issues such as respect for authority, sharing, and prejudice. Eventually, these themes included serious issues such as racism, death, religious intolerance and vandalism. Each 15-minute episode features the adventures of a boy named Davey Hansen and his "talking" dog Goliath (although only Davey and
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