The Hector Heathcote Show.   “The Original Sound Track of TV’s Colorful Cartoon Program with the complete Cast in 6 Entertaining Stories Starring Hector Heathcote ‘The Minute-and-a-Half Man”, Hashimoto-San and Sidney the Elephant”   From Terrytoons.   RCA Camden Records.   1964.

Hector Heathcote first appeared in The Minute and a Half Man in July 1959.   Hector started out as a scientist who invented a time machine to take him back to America’s War for Independence.   He built the boat that enabled Washington to cross the Delaware, prepared the horse to enable Paul Revere to make his famous ride, and was similarly instrumental in setting the stage for any number of other notable events. Somehow, tho, posterity neglected to note his many pivotal roles, and he remained unknown to students of history — except, of course, those who saw his cartoons.

He got his own TV show, which debuted October 5, 1963, on NBC. The show’s back segments were occupied by a couple of other minor Terrytoons characters, Hashimoto-San (a martial arts mouse) and Silly Sidney (a neurotic elephant). The show ran two seasons, but hasn’t had much of an afterlife in reruns.

While the show was running, Hector was merchandised on lunch boxes, toys and elsewhere.   Gold Key published him in comic book form, but only one issue (dated March, 1964) came out

Hector’s creation is attributed to writer Eli Bauer.   The director was Dave Tendlar, a veteran animator whose work went back to the Max Fleisher days. His voice was done by John Myhers, who had many live-action credits as an actor, writer, producer and director, but did very little other voice work.   – Toonpedia

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