Stan Krantz RIP

Film Producer Stan Krantz, the man responsible for adapting Robert Crumb's Fritz the Cat into an animated film with director Ralph Bakshi, passed away on January 4 in Los Angeles. He was 83.

Fritz the Cat, made in 1972, was the first feature-length animated film to recieve an X-rating in America. It is also responsible for skyrocketing the underground comic character Fritz the Cat into massive public popularity, much to the dismay of R. Crumb. In Fact, the controversy surrounding the film lead Crumb to kill off the frenzied feline, and the
beloved character has never appeared in his comics again.

Crumb has often criticized Krantz, claiming he never signed a contract to allow his character to be adapted for a film. In the issues leading up to Fritz's death, Crumb even depicts Krantz as a anthropomorphic hog with sunglasses. Just so you know, you can read the whole saga of Fritz's death in The Complete Crumb: Vol 8, which we carry reguarly at Star Clipper.

Regradless of Crumb's disapproval, Krantz was responsible for helping bring attention to American underground comics, and we can all thank him for that!

Krantz will also be remebered for developing many television shows for Columbia pictures, including adapting Hank Ketcham's Dennis the Menace into its own sitcom.

So rest in peace Stan Krantz and good luck to all the blog readers trying to find the Fritz the Cat movie now that you're all curious about it. Its ironically quite impossible to find.

-Jon