Found out today that Paul Fierlinger passed away. Though you may not recognize the name, if you’re a TV baby of a certain age, you will for sure know one of his most famous creations. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Teeny Little Super Guy…”
As part of my research for JIM!, I conducted a very short email interview with Paul Fierlinger who directed the animated cartoon adaptation of Marshall’s IT’S SO NICE TO HAVE A WOLF AROUND THE HOUSE. Fierlinger didn’t have any contact with Jim and, in fact, when he wanted to talk to Jim about the ending of the story (of which he didn’t approve), was told by the series producer “don’t worry about it”.
Though the interview didn’t come to much for the biography, Paul was generous with his time and even shared a (at the time) work in progress, KING OF THE REST. I’m grateful for that.
A thorough retrospective of Paul Fierlinger’s career and works can be found at the Cartoon Brew blog.