DO YOU REMEMBER?

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever noticed that the sinister spirits are the ones who get all the press? Meanwhile, for over 65 years, one benevolent soul, Casper, has lived a virtuous (after)life – the Gandhi of the ghost world, as it were. Possessing not a single sadistic bone in his body (nor any other bones for that matter), Casper’s intentions were purely peaceful; he just wanted some friends, and we rooted him on in his quest. (More after the break)

Today, we thought it was time to give some props to the apparition you couldn’t help but love, Casper, The Friendly Ghost.

Casper first appeared in the 1940s, a creation of Joe Oriolo and Seymour Reit, who successfully sold their concept to Paramount Pictures. In 1945, he would make an appearance in his first cartoon, “The Friendly Ghost”, and continue to appear throughout the 50s. In 1957, Harvey Comics would acquire the rights to the character, as well as the “Casper, the Friendly Ghost” title, giving him new (after) life on television and in numerous comic books. His first foray in to television would be on 1963’s The New Casper Cartoon Show that ran for six years. The lovable ghost also got his own short-lived Saturday morning kids show in 1979, Casper and the Angels, teaming him up with the popular Charlie’s Angels. In addition, he would become a popular spokes-ghost for a variety of companies, including General Electric, UNICEF, Boy Scouts of America and even NASA, who proceeded to name a white moon rock in honor of America’s favorite friendly ghost.