Irv Spector At Hanna Barbera: The Jetsons: Use This Model

More layout from The Jetsons

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Yeah okay so I'm a tease.

Irv Spector at Hanna Barbera: The Jetsons: Memo To Layout

This post is actually about my father's episodic character layouts. However, I thought Memo To Layout was a cooler title for the post, even if the memo is intended for the background layout department. So sue me. Still, I think it's an interesting minor tidbit of a read for those interested.

There are a handful of episodes represented in this post and the one coming up, which I more or less deduced from this cool little fansite put online about a decade ago. As far as I can tell the episodes in this post and the next are likely from The Space Car, Elroy's TV Show, Uniblab and Las Venus, to name just a few. However, I haven't really arranged these according to episodes -- so go take a look if interested and report back here if you know better.

I'll be the first to admit that this type of work is at first glance not as glamorous to view as his storyboards. However to me it's interesting because it's one of the few post-war instances where he was not involved in the story department (as far as I know). A few in this post and the next are a lot cleaner then you'd usually see him draw. Also don't forget, this is streamlined assembly line early TV H&B, where the process is as simplified as possible.

Anyone says his line in these looks like Walt Kelly...you're outta here!

Irv Spector at Hanna Barbera: The Jetsons

My dad was back and forth between NY and LA a few times in the early 1960s. Eventually he received an offer for full-time employment from Hanna-Barbera -- full time of course includes seasonal layoffs. But that was good enough, as NY was drying up. The family followed, but he was there early enough to be in on the very first season of The Jetsons.

Meet George Jetson...


His Boy Elroy...


Daughter Judy...




Jane his wife.

Let's not forget Astro...


And Rosie the Robot.


All model sheet artists are unknown to me unless otherwise identified. This initialed signature (below) is at the bottom of the Elroy. Jerry Beck thinks it's Iwao Takamoto but advises a second opinion. If mine counts, I say so too. Anybody out there know for sure?


Two pieces of what I figure to be concept art, scanned from xerox copies.