Martin Taras
Visual Effects
Biography
Martin Taras started his animation career at Van Beuren Studios in 1934 until its closing in 1936. He was involved in the 1937 Fleischer Studios strike, but abandoned it shortly after to take a job for Jam Handy. Following a stint at Terrytoons in the early 1940s, Taras became an animator at Fleischer Studios' successor Famous Studios, where he is known for the creation of Baby Huey. Huey debuted in the first "Casper" comic issue in September 1949, six months before his animated debut in the short, "Quack-A-Doodle-Doo". Taras animated for theatrical shorts and drew comic books featuring characters such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Spooky the Tuff Little Ghost, Rags Rabbit, Wendy the Good Little Witch, Herman and Katnip, and Buzzy the Funny Crow. Taras departed Famous in 1956 to return to Terrytoons, then under the supervision of Gene Deitch. Taras also served as animator and/or designer for television programs such as "Batfink", "Spider-Man" (the 1967 series), "Josie and the Pussycats", "Super Friends"; and for theatrical motion pictures such as 'Fritz The Cat', 'Lord of the Rings', and 'Wizards'.
Known For

Young Hobbit Frodo Baggins is thrown into an amazing adventure when he's tasked with destroying the One Ring, created by the dark lord Sauron. Frodo must travel in a small fellowship of nine warriors and accomplices. But it won't be an easy journey for the Fellowship of the Ring, on the ultimate quest to rid Middle-earth of evil.
The Lord of the Rings

In late 1960s New York City, fed up with monotonous college life and police repression, free-spirited Fritz, an impenitent seducer and unrestrained party-animal, decides to explore the world. And just like that, as he flees NYC, heading to San Francisco, Fritz embarks on an endless adventure of illumination. Immersed in a world surrounded by drugs and sex, Fritz participates in mad orgies, brings about a revolution, incites mass urban riots, and crosses paths with drug-addled Nazi bikers.
Fritz the Cat

After the death of his mother, evil mutant wizard Blackwolf discovers long-lost military technologies. Full of ego and ambition, Blackwolf claims his mother's throne, assembles an army, and sets out to brainwash and conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Blackwolf's gentle twin brother, the bearded sage Avatar, calls upon his own magical abilities to foil Blackwolf's plans for world domination — even if it means eliminating his own flesh and blood.
Wizards

Fritz, now married and a father, is desperate to escape the domestic hell he now finds himself in. Lighting up a joint, he begins to dream about his eight other lives, hoping to find one to provide a pleasant distraction. The drug-induced journeys he takes include spells as an astronaut, Hitler's psychiatrist, a courier travelling in hostile territory during a race war, and as a pupil of an Indian guru in the sewers of New York.
The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat

Orphan Heidi lives with her grandpa in Swiss Alps. She brings joy to all there. However, her aunt takes her to the city to live as a servant girl to a cold rich strict family and their nice but sad handicapped daughter.
Heidi's Song

Bluto, the daring hot air balloon rider, catches the eye of Olive at a carnival, much to Popeye's chagrin. Bluto manages to make Popeye look bad several times, eventually winning a ring at the ball toss and taking her up in his balloon. Of course, he tries to get fresh with her, and Popeye comes to the rescue with the help of some fireworks. The hot air balloon gets a bit too hot, putting Olive in even more danger.
All's Fair at the Fair

Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City chronicles Strawberry Shortcake's trip to Big Apple City, so she can compete in a baking contest at "the little theater off Times Pear". Strawberry's journey, however, is in jeopardy due to the constant interference of the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak, who is her only competition in the bake-off. The Pieman counts on his kohlrabi cookies and a little trickery to beat Strawberry and her famous shortcake.
Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City

Olive is building a house when the boys happen by. They show off a bit to convince her to let them build her house for her. She decides to split the job in half by splitting the blueprints in half and having each build one side of the house. Of course, "cooperation" isn't in their vocabulary. Bluto does an extremely sloppy job on his half, and also takes every opportunity to either sabotage Popeye or trick him into doing more work. Meanwhile, Popeye's making enough of his own mistakes, many of which seem to involve wedging Olive into small bent pipes. Eventually, Popeye has his spinach and finishes the house, but the house collapses as they are celebrating with a kiss.
House Tricks?

Popeye and Olive are relaxing in the water off Miami when a hurricane hits. It carries them to the North Pole. Fortunately, a penguin comes by advertising Pierre's Trading Post; unfortunately, Pierre has eyes for Olive.
Snow Place Like Home

The Berenstain Bears Comic Valentine is an animated television special based on the Berenstain Bears children's book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Produced by Buzz Potamkin and directed by Mordicai Gerstein and Al Kouzel, the program made its debut on NBC on February 13, 1982.
The Berenstain Bears' Comic Valentine

Lulu is babysitting Alvin Jones, a bratty and hyperactive baby. While chasing Alvin through the house, Lulu crashes into a wall and is knocked unconscious when a picture frame falls on her head. This leads into a dream where Lulu is searching for Alvin in a nightclub filled with celebrity babies.
The Baby Sitter

Convinced of her limitless talent, charm, and ability, Rosie sweeps the neighborhood Nutshell Kids into the beam of her private spotlight as they perform in her pretend movie.
Really Rosie

Baby Huey sees some little ducks playing pirate and wants to join in, but when he jumps on their raft, he sends them flying into the hungry fox's frying pan. Huey accidentally frees them when he jumps onto the fox in his enthusiasm to join them. The fox decides he'd rather pursue the gigantic Huey than the tiny ducklings, and when he overhears Huey wishing he could play pirate, the fox dresses as a pirate aboard a convenient nearby replica pirate ship.
Swab the Duck

A very inquisitive Brother Bear is wondering why Spring is taking so long to arrive. With Easter approaching and a new arrival to the Bear family on the way, Brother looks for answers, and Mama teaches him the true meaning of Spring.
The Berenstain Bears' Easter Surprise
Katnip has a cold and reads that eating a fresh crow is a sure cure. Cros didn't come any fresher than Buzzy, and when Katnip spies him ice-skating, he decides to eat him. But Buzzy has no intentions of becoming cat food and he tells the cat he has an ever better cure for colds. Buzzy brews up a concoction of pepper, tabasco sauce and mustard, which turn the cat into a fireworks display, and a blazing sun-lamp sets him on fire. The burning cat rushes out into the snow, which melts...and then freezes over him. Buzzy resumes his ice skating.
Cat-Choo
A series of sight gags, followed by a sing-along of "A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight."
The Big Flame Up

The family is decorating their tree when Daddy notices the star his father made is missing. When Billy asks Mommy why this made Daddy sad, she tells him it's because the star was made by his father, their Granddad, who is in Heaven. Jeffy then has a vivid dream about Santa, and asks him in the dream to bring Granddad home from Heaven for Christmas to make Daddy happy again. When Billy learns that Jeffy thinks this really will happen, he is afraid that Jeffy's Christmas will be ruined, since Santa can't do that. Mommy tries to explain why it's not possible to Jeffy after Dolly tells her what Jeffy thinks, but he gets upset and doesn't want to hear it. That night, he gets a visit from Santa, and Granddad.
A Family Circus Christmas

A jazzbo cat is playing jazz in his home when he is disturbed by the mouse orchestra hidden within his wall.
Hep Cat Symphony

Popeye is taking Olive on a boat ride when she spots a pirate ship. They are soon captured, and Popeye has to rescue Olive from the (initially charming) pirate captain. He tries tricks, like dressing in drag, but until the spinach, no luck. Fortunately, a passing swordfish reading a Popeye comic book recognizes him and feeds him the spinach on the comic cover.
Popeye and the Pirates
Specs is a little boy who dreams of being president of the United States and turning America into one gigantic amusement park for everyone. But when he considers the speeches and the work of balancing the budget, he forgets the idea, and he's happy just to be president of the little boys' ball club.