Top Not So Scary Clown Cartoons

Clowns have been in the news for a while now.  Many "clowns" are walking around scaring people and worse, luring kids.  These "bozos" are giving clowns a bad name.  While I don't like clowns myself, most clowns are not bad.  And in animation, they had their share of clowns.  Here are some of the top clown cartoons that are not so scary to kids and adults in chronological order.

1. Bozo the Clown  Bozo was first created by Capitol Records to sell many records to kids, but in the 1980's, Larry Harmon bought the rights to the character and transformed him from a record album character into a full fledged TV star.  Appearing in many local stations performed by a local TV personality, Bozo would perform skits, talk to kids, and played games for prizes.  Part of the show would be a Bozo cartoon (although other cartoons would turn up from time to time like Bugs Bunny and Rocky and Bullwinkle).  These 5 minute shorts had limited animation like Hanna-Barbera, but they're good fun to watch.  There were many great side characters which some would say again, rip off Hanna-Barbera characters like a wolf who resembles Hokey Wolf.  Some of the top Bozo shows were in Boston and Chicago, and each Bozo varied station to station.  Until McDonald's came up with Ronald, Bozo was The World's Most Famous Clown.

2. Out of the Inkwell (1960's)  As well animated as the original Out of the Inkwell's were in the 20's by Max Fleischer, the point of this series is cartoons where nobody would feel unsettled or frightened by clowns.  Considering they rotoscoped Dave Fleischer wearing a clown suit, Koko the Clown would look very realistic and may have a slight scare to some.  Under normal circumstances however, the originals are the best.  Having said that, the 60's reboot by Hal Seegar though not great, they are good.  Koko has a girlfriend named Kokette, and the cartoons are now in color.  Seegar's studio in New York is somewhat cheap, but they are simple little cartoons to be enjoyed.

3. The Adventures of Ronald McDonald  In 1990, the mascot of the famed fast food chain McDonald's stared an animated cartoon video.  Probably planned to be a series of tapes, The Adventures of Ronald McDonald had Ronald and his friends go on an adventure.  However, only one tape was ever produced, McTreasure Island.  Cheaply animated because being produced DIC, this tape was geared toward kids and attempted to help sell more burgers and fries.

4. The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald  Another series of tapes were released by McDonald's starting in 1998 starring Ronald McDonald.  This time the series was produced by Klasky Csupo who is best known for Rugrats, Wild Thornberrys, and Rocket Power.  The series was very successful despite controversial changes made to some of the characters.  Possibly because of the quality of the series containing adventurous stories and catchy songs.  A total of six episodes were produced ending in 2002, but only 5 tapes were ever released in the states.  This was one of McDonald's best advertising campaigns and used the McDonaldland characters at their best.

And for an honorable mention (though more dishonorable to many because of his....attitude) Krusty the Clown!!!