Jim Ryan (writer) explained

Birth Name:	James Francis Ryan
Birth Date:	21 April 1936
Birth Place:	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:	Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Years Active:	1966–1998

James Francis Ryan (April 21, 1936 – August 31, 2022)^[1] was an American screenwriter in the DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, also the Filmation studios^[2] and Hanna–Barbera.

Career

Ryan began his career at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, where he penned episodes of The Inspector^[3] and scripted the Pink Panther short Psychedelic Pink.^[4] At Filmation, he wrote for several cartoons alongside writing partner Bill Danch, including (starring Rick Springfield),^[5] Shazam!, one of Ryan's few forays into live action,^[6] and Fabulous Funnies.^[7] Ryan and Danch were head writers of The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty.^[8]

His most notable contribution at the studio was Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Ryan wrote early episodes of the series^[9] as well as a Christmas special.^[10] While working on Fat Albert, Ryan's scripts were reviewed by a panel of teachers and psychologists to ensure there was educational content.^[11]

Ryan supervised stories for Hanna-Barbera's Casper and the Angels.^[12] While with the studio, he wrote the 1988 film Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf.^[13] Other productions Ryan wrote for include Pound Puppies and Tom & Jerry Kids.

In 1996, Ryan wrote an article for The Los Angeles Times, discussing his difficulty finding writing work at 60 years old and critiquing commercialism in animation.^[14] His last script was an episode of Hey Arnold!.

Works

His works include:

• The Super 6

writer (1 episode)

• The Pink Panther Show

story

• Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down

writer (1 episode)

• Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies

writer (16 episodes)

• Groovie Goolies

writer^[15]

• Archie's TV Funnies

writer

• Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

writer (1 episode)

• My Favorite Martians

writer

• The U.S. of Archie

writer (16 episodes)

• The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty

writer

• The New Adventures of Gilligan

writer (5 episodes)

• Shazam!

writer (4 episodes)^[16]

• Ark II

writer (1 episode)

• The New Adventures of Batman

writer (1 episode)

• The New Archie and Sabrina Hour

writer

• Galaxy Goof-Ups

story

• Buford and the Galloping Ghost

story

• Yogi's Space Race

story (13 episodes)

• The New Shmoo

story

• Trollkins

story

• The Kwicky Koala Show

writer

• Space Stars

story

• Shirt Tales

story (5 episodes)

• Pink Panther and Sons

story

• The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries

writer (2 episodes)

• Paw Paws

story/writer (9 episodes)

• Pound Puppies

writer (1 episode)

• Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers

writer

• Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf

writer

• A Pup Named Scooby-Doo

writer/teleplay (3 episodes)

writer (7 episodes)

• The Tom and Jerry Kids Show

writer (12 episodes)

• The Cartoon Cartoon Show

writer (1 episode)

• What a Cartoon!

writer (1 episode)

• Hey Arnold!

writer (segment "Hookey")

Notes and References

1. Web site: James Ryan Obituary - Los Angeles, California. Legacy.com. December 12, 2022.
2. Filmation Sets Up See-Hear Cassette Dept . 18 April 2022 . . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . 12 September 1970 . 20 . en.
3. Book: The Palgrave Encyclopedia of American Horror Film Shorts: 1915–1976. 646. Rhodes. Gary D.. Hogan. David J.. July 26, 2022. Springer International Publishing. 9783030975647.
4. Book: Lehman, Christopher P.. American Animated Cartoons of the Vietnam Era: A Study of Social Commentary in Films and Television Programs, 1961-1973. 132. January 10, 2014. McFarland & Company. 9780786451425.
5. Book: Erickson, Hal. 553. Television Cartoon Shows: The shows, M-Z. 2005. McFarland & Company.
6. Book: Muir, John Kenneth. The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television. 460. 2nd. August 21, 2008. McFarland & Company. 9780786437559.
7. Book: Perlmutter, David. The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. 186. May 4, 2018. Rowman & Littlefield. 9781538103746.
8. News: August 29, 1975. NBC's Saturday line-up of "kiddie" shows. 3. The Telegraph-Herald.
9. News: April 27, 1973. Animated Bill Cosby Special 'Weird Harold' Airs Fri.. 24. Ocala Star-Banner.
10. Book: Guida, Fred. A Christmas Carol and Its Adaptations: A Critical Examination of Dickens's Story and Its Productions on Screen and Television. 200. August 2, 2006. McFarland & Company. 9780786428403.
11. News: September 23, 1972. "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids". D-45. Baltimore Afro-American.
12. Book: Erickson, Hal. 188. Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003. 1. 2005. McFarland & Company. 9780786420995.
13. Book: Dracula in Visual Media: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921-2010. 155. Browning. John Edgar. Picart. Caroline Joan. January 10, 2014. McFarland & Company. 9780786462018.
14. News: Ryan. Jim. June 14, 1996. Confessions of a cartoon writer. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 15A.
15. Book: Glut, Donald F.. 300. The Frankenstein Catalog. 1984. McFarland & Company. 9780899500294.
16. Book: Lentz, Harris M.. 2076. Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. 2001. McFarland & Company.