Loopy De Loop: Hanna-Barbera’s Forgotten Theatrical Wolf

Loopy De Loop is one of the most curious and forgotten characters in Hanna-Barbera history, a creation that seemed destined for long-term fame yet quietly disappeared from the animation landscape. Debuting in 1959, Loopy De Loop ran for a respectable 48 theatrical shorts between November 5, 1959, and June 17, 1965. Given that six-year lifespan, it feels surprising that the character has nearly vanished from the collective memory of classic animation fans.

“Sacre-iliac!” So why did Loopy De Loop fall out of favor?

The answer lies largely in timing and format. Unlike many Hanna-Barbera properties that transitioned smoothly into television syndication, Loopy De Loop was designed specifically for theatrical exhibition. These shorts were produced as cinematic “short subjects” and screened in movie theaters ahead of feature films, rather than for the rapidly expanding television market of the 1960s. As television became the dominant medium for animation, Loopy simply did not have the exposure needed to stay relevant for newer generations.

Produced by Hanna-Barbera and released through Columbia Pictures, all 48 Loopy De Loop cartoons were theatrical only, making them the only cartoons Hanna-Barbera created exclusively for cinemas. This unique distinction also contributed to the character’s later obscurity. While beloved by audiences at the time, Loopy became less familiar as television viewers gravitated toward characters they could see daily at home.

Loopy De Loop is best remembered for his iconic catchphrase, “It’s a wulf!” and his endless, often painful attempts to prove that wolves could be kind, generous, and misunderstood creatures. Cast as a good Samaritan wolf, Loopy constantly tried to help others, only to be beaten, chased away, or thrown out by the very people he aided. His chivalrous nature and unwavering optimism made him stand out among cartoon wolves typically portrayed as villains.

The character was originally voiced by legendary voice actor Daws Butler, who gave Loopy a thick French-Canadian accent, punctuated with memorable exclamations like “Sacre-iliac!” Loopy’s personality was gentle, hopeful, and idealistic, traits that made his repeated failures both comedic and strangely poignant.

Loopy De Loop even left a small but notable pop culture footprint. A brief scene from the short “Two Faced Wolf” appears in Head, the surreal 1968 film starring The Monkees, cementing his place, however fleeting, in counterculture cinema.

Loopy De Loop Goes West made a rare appearance in a 1960 Little Golden Book, originally priced at just $0.25. Written by Kathryn Hitte and illustrated by George Santos, the story follows the gallant, well-intentioned wolf as he embarks on a series of misadventures across the American West.

The name “Loopy De Loop” itself is a clever blend of wordplay and meaning. “Loop the loop” refers to a daring 360-degree aerial maneuver performed by stunt pilots. Canis lupus is the Latin name for the gray wolf, with loup being the French word for wolf. Finally, “loopy” is a synonym for eccentric or slightly crazy, a perfect fit for a wolf who stubbornly believes he can change the world’s perception of his species.

At his core, Loopy De Loop is a French-Canadian wolf on a heartfelt mission to rehabilitate the image of wolves as warm, generous fellow creatures. It is not an easy task, but hope springs eternal in the heart of this unsavage beast. Episode after episode, Loopy tries to undo the “big bad wolf” stereotype by offering help to familiar figures from folklore and literature, including Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Little Bo Peep, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, D’Artagnan, and even Dr. Jekyll. The results are almost always injurious, humiliating, and hilariously unfair.

This is precisely why it is fascinating that Warner Archive chose to release Loopy De Loop on Blu-ray. At first glance, he may seem like a minor or forgotten character, but his rarity gives him unique value in today’s niche-driven home media market. Collectors and animation historians are increasingly drawn to obscure properties that were never widely televised and rarely rerun. Loopy De Loop fits perfectly into that category.

All forty-eight theatrical shorts were highly popular on the big screen during their original release, and this complete collection finally restores Loopy’s animated antics to their rightful place in animation history. What once vanished into thin air now feels newly relevant, a reminder of a time when Hanna-Barbera briefly ruled the movie theater screen and created a wolf who dared to believe that kindness could change everything.

Release Date: February 24, 2026