The Hector Heathcote Show was a
Terrytoons cartoon production airing on NBC in 1963. Hector was a figure in Revolutionary War days who bumbled his way into helping notable figures make American history. The first shorts were made for theatrical release, then in 1963 shorts made specifically for the show were made. Also on the show were
Hashimoto-san, about a family of Japanese mice who reflect traditions and folklore of their culture, and
Silly Sidney, Gene Deitch's neurotic elephant and his jungle pals. The short subject
Sidney's Family Tree was nominated for an Academy Award.
This series contains examples of:
- Asian Speekee Engrish: Hashimoto and his family speak with butchered, heavily-accented English. Buffeted in that its creator, Bob Kuwahara, was a native of Japan and based the stories on Japanese cultures.
- Been There, Shaped History: Hector was involved in various important events in early U.S. history.
- Big Bad: Hector had to deal with Benedict, a hulking bully who sought to either avert history or change it to his own liking.
- Captain Oblivious: The episode "Pig In A Poke" had Hector and Winston accompanying Lewis and Clark to see if the Louisiana Purchase is worth it (which is what the phrase "pig in a poke" technically means—Hector even states "What's Louisiana? Where is Louisiana? These are thing you must find out first"). At the end, Winston puzzlingly asks "What is a pig in a poke?"
- Deadpan Snarker: Hector's dog Winston is consistently droll.
- Limited Animation: The standard in the early 60s, all the obvious under Terrytoons.
- Talking Animal: Late in the series, Hector was given a talking dog named Winston.
- Three Shorts: Hector, followed by Sidney, then Hashimoto.
