Hal Mason

Birth : 1917-09-06, Northridge, California, U.S.

Death : 1986-10-10

History

Hal Mason was a 50-year veteran of the entertainment industry, having worked as a producer, director, writer and animator. He worked with cartoon producer Walter Lantz on Woody Woodpecker, Andy Panda and Oswald Rabbit. Additionally, Mason was credited as the creator of the Pillsbury Dough Boy, Mr. Clean, and other animated characters In 1982, Mason wrote the “Chipmunks Christmas” television special. Although ailing for the past nine months, Mason was still working on characters, including those used in the Raid insecticide commercials. Other Mason creations include the Frito Bandido and the bear used in the Hamm’s beer commercials.

Movies

He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special
Animation
In this special Christmas episode of the He-Man and She-Ra cartoons, their sidekick Orko accidentally gets beamed to Earth during a test of a new spy satellite. Orko manages to get back Planet Eternia, but brings along two Earth children, Alisha and Manuel, with him. Since it's Christmastime on Earth, the kids are naturally filled with the holiday spirit, but this overflowing goodwill attracts the unwelcome attention of the Horde Prime and Skeletor. Will the combined power of He-Man, She-Ra and the spirit of Christmas be enough to stop them?
The Great Bear Scare
Director
As Halloween approaches, the bears of Bearbank begin to fear an invasion of monsters from nearby Monster Mountain. As most of the bears prepare to leave the city, one brave little bear, Ted E. Bear, sets out to confront fear!
Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All
Additional Storyboarding
Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov travel to the planet Mongo to fight the evil emperor Ming the Merciless.
A Chipmunk Christmas
Story
Alvin learns the true meaning of Christmas.
The Fat Albert Christmas Special
Animation
The Cosby Kids are rehearsing for a Christmas pageant at their junkyard clubhouse, which Tyrone, the mean old junkyard owner, is fixin' to tear down. That's when Marshall & his parents show up. With their car broken down, Marshall's mom is about to have a baby and his dad, without health insurance, inspires the gang to invite them in the clubhouse for shelter. Tyrone agrees to let them stay until the baby is born, in exchange for Fat Albert working for him as a sidewalk Santa. "Ho-ho-ho's" in Fat Albert fashion ensue. After the old hobo, Mudfoot, gives Tyrone a lecture about how he's been grumpy at the world ever since his wife died, the junkyard owner has a change of heart and promises to keep the gang's clubhouse in tact.
Yankee Doodle Swing Shift
Animation
Swing Symphonies cartoon.
Man's Best Friend
Art Department Assistant
A hunter and his tracking dog have been hunting all day and decide to call it quits for the night. They settle into the hunter's cabin and each go to their respective beds (with the hunter promising more hunting bright and early the next morning much to the hound's disgust). At any rate, the dog settles into bed but is kept awake all night by all manner of distractions. First, he deals with a noisy cricket which he settles and then is disturbed by the moonlight outside reflecting off a clock's pendulum. After that, the rug catches fire and the heroic dog bravely saves the house from being burned to a crisp by dousing it with water. But now his bed is all wet so he settles in with his master... who snores to the point of annoyance. Finally, morning comes and the hunter is raring to go but the insomniac dog tells the old boy off and goes to live with the other animals!