Al Kouzel
Directing
Biography
Al Kouzel was an American animator. Born in Manhattan, he started out at Terrytoons in 1957, working on animated shorts. During the 60s, he worked for a while at Studio Deitch in Prague, on Krazy Kat and Popeye. In 1967, he founded Ariel Productions with Eli Bauer and created animation for TV commercials and animated shorts for "Sesame Street". During the '80s, he was a director on a number of series including The Transformers, G.I. Joe, Jem, Muppet Babies and a number of "Berenstain Bears" TV movies.
Known For

A hilarious throwback collection of kooky escapades from this rare 1960s cartoon about lovable cats, mischievous mice and big mouthed pups.
Krazy Kat

A goofy crew of extraterrestrial wall-walkers journey to Earth in a quest to learn the meaning of Christmas.
Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls

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

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
James is a secret agent who is incredibly clumsy. Yet, no matter how many mistakes he makes in his efforts to capture the bad guy, he winds up bagging the criminal.
Dr. Rhinestone's Theory

Medieval times. A juggler has little success making a living; he puts on a hair shirt and becomes an ascetic, but attracts only other ascetics. Finally, in desperation, he becomes a monk. He visits the other monks, who all glorify the Lady with their skills: cooking, painting, sculpture, etc. He tries helping them, but botches it. A festival is held for the Lady, and each of the monks offers his gift, but the juggler has nothing. Frustrated, he juggles for her, all night, alone.
The Juggler of Our Lady

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

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
An evil genius gathers real witches to plague the world. Once again, it's secret agent James Hound to the rescue.
Which Is Witch?

It's Thanksgiving in Bear Country, and the Bear Family get nervous when Mama Bear thinks they've gotten a sign that the "Thanksgiving Legend of Bigpaw" is coming true. The legend says that when bears get greedy and don't share their harvest, Bigpaw will come to destroy Bear Country. Eventually, the bears all learn a lesson about who Bigpaw really is, and they celebrate the holiday.
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw

A four-year-old boy is drafted into the army. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2004.
Munro
Someone has stolen the Statue of Liberty, and James Hound is to find it. He finds a recorded message with a clue. Flying as the message suggests, he finds the Statue of Liberty in the Grand Canyon. Getting it back from the spies who stole it is where the hard part begins...
Give Me Liberty
James Hound is sent to a deserted island to break up a group of evil voodoo worshippers.
A Voodoo Spell

Another adventure of James Hound, secret agent extrodinaire.
Baron Von Go-Go

Papa Q. Bear wants more than golden honey to have one of his cubs play baseball. Brother has no interest, while Sister goes unnoticed.
The Berenstain Bears Play Ball
The King has his valuable jewel collection stolen. James Hound is called in to find the thief and have the jewels returned.
Mr. Winlucky
A king attempts, through various methods, to remove his son's persistent frown.
The Frowning Prince

An experimental film from Al Kouzel which edits unrelated scenes together with a camera tying them together.
Fotodeath
A Gene Deitch cartoon about driving.
How to Win on the Thruway

The Family Circus celebrates Valentine's with arts, crafts, and love.