Wally Gator

Synopsis of Saturday Morning Show

As his name indicates, Wally Gator was an alligator, who, in the Hanna-Barbera tradition, loved to escape from his habitat in order to experience life among the humans. The Ed Wynn-sounding alligator was the bane of zookeeper Mr. Twiddles' existence, constantly escaping his confines and causing mayhem on an unsuspecting public. The show also featured a swingin' theme song:

“Wally Gator is a swingin’ navigator in the swamp!
He’s the greatest percolator when he really starts to romp.
There has never been a greater operator in the swamp!
See ya later, Wally Gator!”

Unlike that mischievous pic-a-nic basket pilferer Yogi Bear, Wally seemed innocent. His need to escape stemmed not from a desire to fool or trick anyone, but from a desire to learn more about life, to see what the world had to offer.

Unfortunately, the world was often filled with people who saw Wally as a vast resource for handbags and shoes, teaching us all a lesson about the dangers of the world outside our safe and happy homes.

Wally Gator started out as part of The New Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Series along with Touché Turtle and Lippy the Lion and Hardy-Har-Har. Wally proved to be the most popular segment, and the character went on to co-star in future Hanna-Barbera projects like Yogi's Ark and Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics.

Release History

1962 syndicated

TV Sub Categories

animated

TV Studio

Hanna-Barbera

Television Cast

Wally Gator Daws Butler
Mr. Twiddles Don Messick

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